1
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Edwards K, Manoussaka M, Sayed U, Tsertsvadze T, Deyn LD, Nathwani A, Gribben JG, Krysov S, Volpi EV, Lydyard PM, Porakishvili N. MD-1 downregulation is associated with reduced cell surface CD180 expression in CLL. Leuk Res 2024; 143:107540. [PMID: 38897026 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2024.107540] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
CD180 is a toll-like receptor that is highly expressed in complex with the MD-1 satellite molecule on the surface of B cells. In chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) however, the expression of CD180 is highly variable and overall, significantly reduced when compared to normal B cells. We have recently shown that reduced CD180 expression in CLL lymph nodes is associated with inferior overall survival. It was therefore important to better understand the causes of this downregulation through investigation of CD180 at the transcriptional and protein expression levels. Unexpectedly, we found CD180 RNA levels in CLL cells (n = 26) were comparable to those of normal B cells (n = 13), despite heterogeneously low expression of CD180 on the cell surface. We confirmed that CD180 RNA is translated into CD180 protein since cell surface CD180-negative cases presented with high levels of intracellular CD180 expression. Levels of MD-1 RNA were, however, significantly downregulated in CLL compared to normal controls. Together, these data suggest that changes in CD180 cell surface expression in CLL are not due to transcriptional downregulation, but defective post-translational stabilisation of the receptor due to MD-1 downregulation.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Down-Regulation
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antigens, CD/genetics
- Cell Membrane/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtis Edwards
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK.
| | | | - Uzma Sayed
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | | | - Lara De Deyn
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK.
| | - Amit Nathwani
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.
| | - John G Gribben
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University, London, UK.
| | - Sergey Krysov
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University, London, UK.
| | | | - Peter M Lydyard
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK; The University of Georgia, Tbilisi, GA, USA
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2
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Simon-Molas H, Montironi C, Kabanova A, Eldering E. Metabolic reprogramming in the CLL TME; potential for new therapeutic targets. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:155-162. [PMID: 38493076 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.02.001] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells circulate between peripheral (PB) blood and lymph node (LN) compartments, and strictly depend on microenvironmental factors for proliferation, survival and drug resistance. All cancer cells display metabolic reprogramming and CLL is no exception - though the inert status of the PB CLL cells has hampered detailed insight into these processes. We summarize previous work on reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, and hypoxia, as well as the important roles of Myc, and PI3K/Akt/mTor pathways. In vitro co-culture systems and gene expression analyses have provided a partial picture of CLL LN metabolism. New broad omics techniques allow to obtain molecular and also single-cell level understanding of CLL plasticity and metabolic reprogramming. We summarize recent developments and describe the new concept of glutamine addiction for CLL, which may hold therapeutic promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helga Simon-Molas
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Chiara Montironi
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Kabanova
- Tumour Immunology Unit, Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Siena, Italy
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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3
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Mantione ME, Meloni M, Sana I, Bordini J, Del Nero M, Riba M, Ranghetti P, Perotta E, Ghia P, Scarfò L, Muzio M. Disrupting pro-survival and inflammatory pathways with dimethyl fumarate sensitizes chronic lymphocytic leukemia to cell death. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:224. [PMID: 38494482 PMCID: PMC10944843 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06602-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Microenvironmental signals strongly influence chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells through the activation of distinct membrane receptors, such as B-cell receptors, and inflammatory receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Inflammatory pathways downstream of these receptors lead to NF-κB activation, thus protecting leukemic cells from apoptosis. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory drug used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis and psoriasis in which it blocks aberrant NF-κB pathways and impacts the NRF2 antioxidant circuit. Our in vitro analysis demonstrated that increasing concentrations of DMF reduce ATP levels and lead to the apoptosis of CLL cells, including cell lines, splenocytes from Eµ-TCL1-transgenic mice, and primary leukemic cells isolated from the peripheral blood of patients. DMF showed a synergistic effect in association with BTK inhibitors in CLL cells. DMF reduced glutathione levels and activated the NRF2 pathway; gene expression analysis suggested that DMF downregulated pathways related to NFKB and inflammation. In primary leukemic cells, DMF disrupted the TLR signaling pathways induced by CpG by reducing the mRNA expression of NFKBIZ, IL6, IL10 and TNFα. Our data suggest that DMF targets a vulnerability of CLL cells linked to their inflammatory pathways, without impacting healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Mantione
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Miriam Meloni
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilenia Sana
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Jessica Bordini
- B-cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Martina Del Nero
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Riba
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Pamela Ranghetti
- B-cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Eleonora Perotta
- B-cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Ghia
- B-cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Lydia Scarfò
- B-cell Neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Muzio
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
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4
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Chen Z, Cretenet G, Carnazzo V, Simon-Molas H, Kater AP, Windt GJWVD, Eldering E. Electron transport chain and mTOR inhibition synergistically decrease CD40 signaling and counteract venetoclax resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Haematologica 2024; 109:151-162. [PMID: 37439352 PMCID: PMC10772535 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.282760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
CD40 signaling upregulates BCL-XL and MCL-1 expression in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) lymph node microenvironment, affording resistance to the BCL-2 inhibitor, venetoclax. Venetoclax resistance in the therapeutic setting and after long-term laboratory selection has been linked to metabolic alterations, but the underlying mechanism(s) are unknown. We aimed here to discover how CD40 stimulation as a model for tumor microenvironment-mediated metabolic changes, affects venetoclax sensitivity/resistance. CD40 stimulation increased oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, but only inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation countered venetoclax resistance. Furthermore, blocking mitochondrial import of pyruvate, glutamine or fatty acids affected CLL metabolism, but did not prevent CD40-mediated resistance to venetoclax. In contrast, inhibition of the electron transport chain (ETC) at complex I, III or V attenuated CLL activation and ATP production, and downregulated MCL-1 and BCL-XL, correlating with reduced CD40 surface expression. Moreover, ETC inhibition equaled mTOR1/2 but not mTOR1 inhibition alone for venetoclax resistance, and all three pathways were linked to control of general protein translation. In line with this, ETC plus mTOR inhibition synergistically counteracted venetoclax resistance. These findings link oxidative CLL metabolism to CD40 expression and cellular signaling, and may hold clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghao Chen
- Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Lymphoma and Myeloma Center, Amsterdam
| | - Gaspard Cretenet
- Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Lymphoma and Myeloma Center, Amsterdam
| | - Valeria Carnazzo
- Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Pathology, S.M. Goretti Hospital, Latina
| | - Helga Simon-Molas
- Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Lymphoma and Myeloma Center, Amsterdam
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Lymphoma and Myeloma Center, Amsterdam
| | | | - Eric Eldering
- Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Lymphoma and Myeloma Center, Amsterdam.
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5
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Meloni M, Sana I, Mantione ME, Riba M, Muzio M. Toll-like receptor 9 signaling in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell lines. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:2367-2374. [PMID: 37881888 PMCID: PMC10699106 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a prototypic neoplasia in which malignant cells strongly depend on microenvironmental stimulations in the lymphoid tissues where they accumulate; leukemic cells are exposed to interaction with bystander and accessory cells, as well as inflammatory soluble mediators. Cell lines are frequently used to model the pathobiology of this disease; however, they do not always recapitulate leukemic cell growth and response to stimulation, and no data are available on Toll-like receptors (TLR) signaling in CLL cell lines. To address this gap, we analyzed HG3, MEC2, and PCL12 cell lines, before and after CpG stimulation, by RNA-sequencing followed by bioinformatic analyses and validation experiments. We identified NFKBIZ mRNA and the corresponding IkBz protein as robust markers of TLR9 activation in both MEC2 and PCL12, but not in HG3 cells. Next, we compared our current results with previous results obtained with primary CLL patient samples and were able to conclude that MEC2 is most similar to the patients' cells in terms of global responsiveness to TLR stimulation; in particular, MEC2 better resembles the samples of patients, as it is characterized by high expression levels of IkBz, but with a lower number of genes regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Meloni
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologySan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Ilenia Sana
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologySan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Maria Elena Mantione
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologySan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Michela Riba
- Center for Omics SciencesSan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Marta Muzio
- Cell Signaling Unit, Division of Experimental OncologySan Raffaele Hospital IRCCSMilanItaly
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6
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Sana I, Mantione ME, Meloni M, Riba M, Ranghetti P, Scarfò L, Ghia P, Muzio M. Dimethyl itaconate selectively targets inflammatory and metabolic pathways in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2350418. [PMID: 37561992 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350418] [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: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) co-evolves with its own microenvironment where inflammatory stimuli including toll-like receptors (TLR) signaling can protect CLL cells from spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis by upregulating IκBζ, an atypical co-transcription factor. To dissect IκBζ-centered signaling pathways, we performed a gene expression profile of primary leukemic cells expressing either high or low levels of IκBζ after stimulation, highlighting that IκBζ is not only an inflammatory gene but it may control metabolic rewiring of malignant cells thus pointing to a novel potential opportunity for therapy. We exploited the capacity of the dimethyl itaconate (DI), an anti-inflammatory electrophilic synthetic derivative of the metabolite Itaconate, to target IκBζ. CLL cells, murine leukemic splenocytes, and leukocytes from healthy donors were treated in vitro with DI that abolished metabolic activation and reduced cell viability of leukemic cells only, even in the presence of robust TLR prestimulation. RNA sequencing highlighted that in addition to the expected electrophilic stress signature observed after DI treatment, novel pathways emerged including the downregulation of distinct MHC class II complex genes. In conclusion, DI not only abrogated the proinflammatory effects of TLR stimulation but also targeted a specific metabolic vulnerability in CLL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Sana
- Cell signaling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Mantione
- Cell signaling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Miriam Meloni
- Cell signaling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Riba
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Pamela Ranghetti
- B-cell neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Lydia Scarfò
- B-cell neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Ghia
- B-cell neoplasia Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Muzio
- Cell signaling Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
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7
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Mukherjee S, Patra R, Behzadi P, Masotti A, Paolini A, Sarshar M. Toll-like receptor-guided therapeutic intervention of human cancers: molecular and immunological perspectives. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1244345. [PMID: 37822929 PMCID: PMC10562563 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) serve as the body's first line of defense, recognizing both pathogen-expressed molecules and host-derived molecules released from damaged or dying cells. The wide distribution of different cell types, ranging from epithelial to immune cells, highlights the crucial roles of TLRs in linking innate and adaptive immunity. Upon stimulation, TLRs binding mediates the expression of several adapter proteins and downstream kinases, that lead to the induction of several other signaling molecules such as key pro-inflammatory mediators. Indeed, extraordinary progress in immunobiological research has suggested that TLRs could represent promising targets for the therapeutic intervention of inflammation-associated diseases, autoimmune diseases, microbial infections as well as human cancers. So far, for the prevention and possible treatment of inflammatory diseases, various TLR antagonists/inhibitors have shown to be efficacious at several stages from pre-clinical evaluation to clinical trials. Therefore, the fascinating role of TLRs in modulating the human immune responses at innate as well as adaptive levels directed the scientists to opt for these immune sensor proteins as suitable targets for developing chemotherapeutics and immunotherapeutics against cancer. Hitherto, several TLR-targeting small molecules (e.g., Pam3CSK4, Poly (I:C), Poly (A:U)), chemical compounds, phytocompounds (e.g., Curcumin), peptides, and antibodies have been found to confer protection against several types of cancers. However, administration of inappropriate doses of such TLR-modulating therapeutics or a wrong infusion administration is reported to induce detrimental outcomes. This review summarizes the current findings on the molecular and structural biology of TLRs and gives an overview of the potency and promises of TLR-directed therapeutic strategies against cancers by discussing the findings from established and pipeline discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suprabhat Mukherjee
- Integrative Biochemistry & Immunology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol, West Bengal, India
| | - Ritwik Patra
- Integrative Biochemistry & Immunology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol, West Bengal, India
| | - Payam Behzadi
- Department of Microbiology, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrea Masotti
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paolini
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Meysam Sarshar
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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8
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Mazzarello AN, Fitch M, Cardillo M, Ng A, Bhuiya S, Sharma E, Bagnara D, Kolitz JE, Barrientos JC, Allen SL, Rai KR, Rhodes J, Hellerstein MK, Chiorazzi N. Characterization of the Intraclonal Complexity of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B Cells: Potential Influences of B-Cell Receptor Crosstalk with Other Stimuli. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4706. [PMID: 37835400 PMCID: PMC10571896 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) clones contain subpopulations differing in time since the last cell division ("age"): recently born, proliferative (PF; CXCR4DimCD5Bright), intermediate (IF; CXCR4IntCD5Int), and resting (RF; CXCR4BrightCD5Dim) fractions. Herein, we used deuterium (2H) incorporation into newly synthesized DNA in patients to refine the kinetics of CLL subpopulations by characterizing two additional CXCR4/CD5 fractions, i.e., double dim (DDF; CXCR4DimCD5Dim) and double bright (DBF; CXCR4BrightCD5Bright); and intraclonal fractions differing in surface membrane (sm) IgM and IgD densities. Although DDF was enriched in recently divided cells and DBF in older cells, PF and RF remained the most enriched in youngest and oldest cells, respectively. Similarly, smIgMHigh and smIgDHigh cells were the youngest, and smIgMLow and smIgDLow were the oldest, when using smIG levels as discriminator. Surprisingly, the cells closest to the last stimulatory event bore high levels of smIG, and stimulating via TLR9 and smIG yielded a phenotype more consistent with the in vivo setting. Finally, older cells were less sensitive to in vivo inhibition by ibrutinib. Collectively, these data define additional intraclonal subpopulations with divergent ages and phenotypes and suggest that BCR engagement alone is not responsible for the smIG levels found in vivo, and the differential sensitivity of distinct fractions to ibrutinib might account, in part, for therapeutic relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N. Mazzarello
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Mark Fitch
- Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Martina Cardillo
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Anita Ng
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Sabreen Bhuiya
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Esha Sharma
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Davide Bagnara
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Jonathan E. Kolitz
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Jacqueline C. Barrientos
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Steven L. Allen
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Kanti R. Rai
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Joanna Rhodes
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Marc K. Hellerstein
- Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Nicholas Chiorazzi
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
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9
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Haselager MV, van Driel BF, Perelaer E, de Rooij D, Lashgari D, Loos R, Kater AP, Moerland PD, Eldering E. In Vitro 3D Spheroid Culture System Displays Sustained T Cell-dependent CLL Proliferation and Survival. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e938. [PMID: 37637994 PMCID: PMC10448932 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells are highly dependent on microenvironmental cells and signals. The lymph node (LN) is the critical site of in vivo CLL proliferation and development of resistance to both chemotherapy and targeted agents. We present a new model that incorporates key aspects of the CLL LN, which enables investigation of CLL cells in the context of a protective niche. We describe a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro culture system using ultra-low attachment plates to create spheroids of CLL cells derived from peripheral blood. Starting from CLL:T cell ratios as observed in LN samples, CLL activation was induced by either direct stimulation and/or indirectly via T cells. Compared with two-dimensional cultures, 3D cultures promoted CLL proliferation in a T cell-dependent manner, and enabled expansion for up to 7 weeks, including the formation of follicle-like structures after several weeks of culture. This model enables high-throughput drug screening, of which we describe response to Btk inhibition, venetoclax resistance, and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity as examples. In summary, we present the first LN-mimicking in vitro 3D culture for primary CLL, which enables readouts such as real-time drug screens, kinetic growth assays, and spatial localization. This is the first in vitro CLL system that allows testing of response and resistance to venetoclax and Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the context of the tumor microenvironment, thereby opening up new possibilities for clinically useful applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco V. Haselager
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bianca F. van Driel
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Eduard Perelaer
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis de Rooij
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Danial Lashgari
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Remco Loos
- Center for Innovation and Translational Research Europe, Bristol Myers Squibb, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Arnon P. Kater
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
| | - Perry D. Moerland
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Methodology Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef, The Netherlands
- Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Mertowska P, Smolak K, Mertowski S, Grywalska E. Unraveling the Role of Toll-like Receptors in the Immunopathogenesis of Selected Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiencies. Cells 2023; 12:2055. [PMID: 37626865 PMCID: PMC10453926 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162055] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and molecules that work together to defend the body against pathogens and maintain overall health. However, in some individuals, the immune system fails to function correctly, leading to immunodeficiencies. Immunodeficiencies can be classified into primary (PID) and secondary (SID) types, each with distinct underlying causes and manifestations. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), as key components of the immune system, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both PID and SID. In this study, we aim to unravel the intricate involvement of TLR2, TLR4, TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 in the immunopathogenesis of common variable immunodeficiency-CVID (as PID)-and chronic lymphocytic leukemia-CLL (as SID). The obtained results indicate a significant increase in the percentage of all tested subpopulations of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes showing positive expression of all analyzed TLRs in patients with CVID and CLL compared to healthy volunteers, constituting the control group, which is also confirmed by analysis of the concentration of soluble forms of these receptors in the plasma of patients. Furthermore, patients diagnosed with CVID are characterized by the percentage of all lymphocytes showing positive expression of the tested TLR2, TLR4, TLR3, and TLR9 and their plasma concentrations in relation to patients with CLL. By investigating the functions and interactions of TLRs within the immune system, we seek to shed light on their critical role in the development and progression of these immunodeficiencies. Through a comprehensive analysis of the literature and presented experimental data, we hope to deepen our understanding of the complex mechanisms by which TLRs contribute to the pathogenesis of PID and SID. Ultimately, our findings may provide valuable insights into developing targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate the impact of these disorders on those affected by immunodeficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sebastian Mertowski
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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11
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Jayawant E, Pack A, Clark H, Kennedy E, Ghodke A, Jones J, Pepper C, Pepper A, Mitchell S. NF-κB fingerprinting reveals heterogeneous NF-κB composition in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1181660. [PMID: 37333821 PMCID: PMC10272839 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1181660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Improving treatments for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is challenged by the vast heterogeneity of the disease. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is frequently aberrantly activated in DLBCL. Transcriptionally active NF-κB is a dimer containing either RelA, RelB or cRel, but the variability in the composition of NF-κB between and within DLBCL cell populations is not known. Results Here we describe a new flow cytometry-based analysis technique termed "NF-κB fingerprinting" and demonstrate its applicability to DLBCL cell lines, DLBCL core-needle biopsy samples, and healthy donor blood samples. We find each of these cell populations has a unique NF-κB fingerprint and that widely used cell-of-origin classifications are inadequate to capture NF-κB heterogeneity in DLBCL. Computational modeling predicts that RelA is a key determinant of response to microenvironmental stimuli, and we experimentally identify substantial variability in RelA between and within ABC-DLBCL cell lines. We find that when we incorporate NF-κB fingerprints and mutational information into computational models we can predict how heterogeneous DLBCL cell populations respond to microenvironmental stimuli, and we validate these predictions experimentally. Discussion Our results show that the composition of NF-κB is highly heterogeneous in DLBCL and predictive of how DLBCL cells will respond to microenvironmental stimuli. We find that commonly occurring mutations in the NF-κB signaling pathway reduce DLBCL's response to microenvironmental stimuli. NF-κB fingerprinting is a widely applicable analysis technique to quantify NF-κB heterogeneity in B cell malignancies that reveals functionally significant differences in NF-κB composition within and between cell populations.
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12
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Kielbassa K, Haselager MV, Bax DJC, van Driel BF, Dubois J, Levin MD, Kersting S, Svanberg R, Niemann CU, Kater AP, Eldering E. Ibrutinib sensitizes CLL cells to venetoclax by interrupting TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and protein translation. Leukemia 2023:10.1038/s41375-023-01898-w. [PMID: 37100883 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01898-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells upregulate Bcl-2 proteins within the lymph node (LN) microenvironment. Signaling via B-cell receptor, Toll-like receptors and CD40 collectively reduce sensitivity to the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Time-limited treatment with venetoclax plus the BTK-inhibitor ibrutinib results in deep remissions, but how this combination affects LN-related signaling is not yet completely clear. Therefore, samples obtained from the HOVON141/VISION phase 2 clinical trial were used to analyze this. Two cycles of lead-in ibrutinib monotherapy resulted in decreased protein expression of Bcl-2 proteins in circulating CLL cells. Strikingly, at this timepoint CD40-induced venetoclax resistance was strongly attenuated, as was expression of CD40. Since CD40 signaling occurs within the CLL LN, we tested various LN-related signals that could affect CD40 signaling. While BCR stimulation had only a minor effect, TLR9 stimulation via CpG led to significantly increased CD40 expression and importantly, reverted the effects of ibrutinib treatment on venetoclax sensitivity by inducing overall protein translation. Together, these findings identify a novel effect of ibrutinib: interruption of TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and translation of pro-survival proteins. This mechanism may potentially further inhibit priming of CLL cells in the LN microenvironment for venetoclax resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Kielbassa
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marco V Haselager
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Danique J C Bax
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bianca F van Driel
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Julie Dubois
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark-David Levin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Carsten U Niemann
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Eldering
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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13
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O’Donnell A, Pepper C, Mitchell S, Pepper A. NF-kB and the CLL microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1169397. [PMID: 37064123 PMCID: PMC10098180 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1169397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent type of leukemia in the western world. Despite the positive clinical effects of new targeted therapies, CLL still remains an incurable and refractory disease and resistance to treatments are commonly encountered. The Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor has been implicated in the pathology of CLL, with high levels of NF-κB associated with disease progression and drug resistance. This aberrant NF-κB activation can be caused by genetic mutations in the tumor cells and microenvironmental factors, which promote NF-κB signaling. Activation can be induced via two distinct pathways, the canonical and non-canonical pathway, which result in tumor cell proliferation, survival and drug resistance. Therefore, understanding how the CLL microenvironment drives NF-κB activation is important for deciphering how CLL cells evade treatment and may aid the development of novel targeting therapeutics. The CLL microenvironment is comprised of various cells, including nurse like cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, follicular dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells. By activating different receptors, including the B cell receptor and CD40, these cells cause overactivity of the canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. Within this review, we will explore the different components of the CLL microenvironment that drive the NF-κB pathway, investigating how this knowledge is being translated in the development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice O’Donnell
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
- Royal Sussex County Hospital, University Hospitals Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Pepper
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Mitchell
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Pepper
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
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14
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Macrophage- and BCR-derived but not TLR-derived signals support the growth of CLL and Richter syndrome murine models in vivo. Blood 2022; 140:2335-2347. [PMID: 36084319 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A large amount of circumstantial evidence has accumulated suggesting that Toll-like receptor (TLR) signals are involved in driving chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cell proliferation, but direct in vivo evidence for this is still lacking. We have now further addressed this possibility by pharmacologically inhibiting or genetically inactivating the TLR pathway in murine CLL and human Richter syndrome (RS) patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells. Surprisingly, we show that pharmacologic inhibition of TLR signaling by treatment with an IRAK1/4 inhibitor delays the growth of the transplanted malignant cells in recipient mice, but genetic inactivation of the same pathway by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of IRAK4 or its proximal adaptor MyD88 has no effect. We further show that treatment with the IRAK1/4 inhibitor results in depletion of macrophages and demonstrate that these cells can support the survival and enhance the proliferation of both murine Eμ-TCL1 leukemia and human RS cells. We also show that genetic disruption of the B-cell receptor (BCR) by CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the immunoglobulin M constant region gene inhibits the growth of human RS-PDX cells in vivo, consistent with our previous finding with murine Eμ-TCL1 leukemia cells. Finally, we show that genetic disruption of IRAK4 does not result in negative selection of human CLL cell lines xenografted in immunodeficient mice. The obtained data suggest that TLR signals are unlikely to represent a major driver of CLL/RS cell proliferation and provide further evidence that signals from macrophages and the BCR promote the growth and survival of CLL and RS cells in vivo.
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15
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Old and New Facts and Speculations on the Role of the B Cell Receptor in the Origin of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214249. [PMID: 36430731 PMCID: PMC9693457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The engagement of the B cell receptor (BcR) on the surface of leukemic cells represents a key event in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) since it can lead to the maintenance and expansion of the neoplastic clone. This notion was initially suggested by observations of the CLL BcR repertoire and of correlations existing between certain BcR features and the clinical outcomes of single patients. Based on these observations, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which block BcR signaling, have been introduced in therapy with the aim of inhibiting CLL cell clonal expansion and of controlling the disease. Indeed, the impressive results obtained with these compounds provided further proof of the role of BcR in CLL. In this article, the key steps that led to the determination of the role of BcR are reviewed, including the features of the CLL cell repertoire and the fine mechanisms causing BcR engagement and cell signaling. Furthermore, we discuss the biological effects of the engagement, which can lead to cell survival/proliferation or apoptosis depending on certain intrinsic cell characteristics and on signals that the micro-environment can deliver to the leukemic cells. In addition, consideration is given to alternative mechanisms promoting cell proliferation in the absence of BcR signaling, which can explain in part the incomplete effectiveness of TKI therapies. The role of the BcR in determining clonal evolution and disease progression is also described. Finally, we discuss possible models to explain the selection of a special BcR set during leukemogenesis. The BcR may deliver activation signals to the cells, which lead to their uncontrolled growth, with the possible collaboration of other still-undefined events which are capable of deregulating the normal physiological response of B cells to BcR-delivered stimuli.
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16
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Cao T, Wang Z, Zhu X. The Immunomodulatory Functions of BTK Inhibition in the Central Nervous System. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:6427-6438. [DOI: 10.2147/jir.s389958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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17
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Sbirkov Y, Vergov B, Mehterov N, Sarafian V. miRNAs in Lymphocytic Leukaemias-The miRror of Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094657. [PMID: 35563051 PMCID: PMC9103677 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Refractory disease and relapse remain the main causes of cancer therapy failure. Refined risk stratification, treatment regimens and improved early diagnosis and detection of minimal residual disease have increased cure rates in malignancies like childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) to 90%. Nevertheless, overall survival in the context of drug resistance remains poor. The regulatory role of micro RNAs (miRNAs) in cell differentiation, homeostasis and tumorigenesis has been under extensive investigation in different cancers. There is accumulating data demonstrating the significance of miRNAs for therapy outcomes in lymphoid malignancies and some direct demonstrations of the interplay between these small molecules and drug response. Here, we summarise miRNAs' impact on chemotherapy resistance in adult and paediatric ALL and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The main focus of this review is on the modulation of particular signaling pathways like PI3K-AKT, transcription factors such as NF-κB, and apoptotic mediators, all of which are bona fide and pivotal elements orchestrating the survival of malignant lymphocytic cells. Finally, we discuss the attractive strategy of using mimics, antimiRs and other molecular approaches pointing at miRNAs as promising therapeutic targets. Such novel strategies to circumvent ALL and CLL resistance networks may potentially improve patients' responses and survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yordan Sbirkov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (B.V.); (N.M.)
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (V.S.)
| | - Bozhidar Vergov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (B.V.); (N.M.)
| | - Nikolay Mehterov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (B.V.); (N.M.)
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Victoria Sarafian
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (B.V.); (N.M.)
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Correspondence: (Y.S.); (V.S.)
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18
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Burley TA, Hesketh A, Bucca G, Kennedy E, Ladikou EE, Towler BP, Mitchell S, Smith CP, Fegan C, Johnston R, Pepper A, Pepper C. Elucidation of Focal Adhesion Kinase as a Modulator of Migration and Invasion and as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071600. [PMID: 35406371 PMCID: PMC8996841 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The retention and re-migration of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia cells into cytoprotective and proliferative lymphoid niches is thought to contribute to the development of resistance, leading to subsequent disease relapse. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular processes that govern CLL cell migration to elicit a more complete inhibition of tumor cell migration. We compared the phenotypic and transcriptional changes induced in CLL cells using two distinct models designed to recapitulate the peripheral circulation, CLL cell migration across an endothelial barrier, and the lymph node interaction between CLL cells and activated T cells. Initially, CLL cells were co-cultured with CD40L-expressing fibroblasts and exhibited an activated B-cell phenotype, and their transcriptional signatures demonstrated the upregulation of pro-survival and anti-apoptotic genes and overrepresentation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Using our dynamic circulating model, we were able to study the transcriptomics and miRNomics associated with CLL migration. More than 3000 genes were altered when CLL cells underwent transendothelial migration, with an overrepresentation of adhesion and cell migration gene sets. From this analysis, an upregulation of the FAK signaling pathway was observed. Importantly, PTK2 (FAK) gene expression was significantly upregulated in migrating CLL cells (PTK2 Fold-change = 4.9). Here we demonstrate that TLR9 agonism increased levels of p-FAK (p ≤ 0.05), which could be prevented by pharmacological inhibition of FAK with defactinib (p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, a reduction in CLL cell migration and invasion was observed when FAK was inhibited (p ≤ 0.0001), supporting a role for FAK in both CLL migration and tissue invasion. When taken together, our data highlights the potential for combining FAK inhibition with current targeted therapies as a more effective treatment regime for CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Burley
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK; (T.A.B.); (E.K.); (E.E.L.); (B.P.T.); (S.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Andrew Hesketh
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; (A.H.); (G.B.); (C.P.S.)
| | - Giselda Bucca
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; (A.H.); (G.B.); (C.P.S.)
| | - Emma Kennedy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK; (T.A.B.); (E.K.); (E.E.L.); (B.P.T.); (S.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Eleni E. Ladikou
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK; (T.A.B.); (E.K.); (E.E.L.); (B.P.T.); (S.M.); (C.P.)
- Department of Haematology, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital Trust, Brighton BN2 5BE, UK;
| | - Benjamin P. Towler
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK; (T.A.B.); (E.K.); (E.E.L.); (B.P.T.); (S.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Simon Mitchell
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK; (T.A.B.); (E.K.); (E.E.L.); (B.P.T.); (S.M.); (C.P.)
| | - Colin P. Smith
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; (A.H.); (G.B.); (C.P.S.)
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7YH, UK
| | - Christopher Fegan
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK;
| | - Rosalynd Johnston
- Department of Haematology, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital Trust, Brighton BN2 5BE, UK;
| | - Andrea Pepper
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK; (T.A.B.); (E.K.); (E.E.L.); (B.P.T.); (S.M.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-01273-678644
| | - Chris Pepper
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK; (T.A.B.); (E.K.); (E.E.L.); (B.P.T.); (S.M.); (C.P.)
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19
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Shen Y, Guo D, Ji X, Zhou Y, Liu S, Huang J, Song H. Homotypic targeting of immunomodulatory nanoparticles for enhanced peripheral and central immunity. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13192. [PMID: 35084069 PMCID: PMC8891550 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) that contain unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) motifs serve as immune adjuvants in disease treatment. However, the poor cell permeability and safety concerns limit their medical applications, and biocompatible strategies for efficient delivery of functional CpG ODNs are highly desirable. MATERIALS AND METHODS Self-assembled, cell membrane-coated CpG nanoparticles (NP) are prepared, and their physicochemical properties are characterized. The uncoated and membrane-coated CpG NP are compared for their biocompatibility, cellular uptake kinetics, endocytic pathways, subcellular localization, and immunostimulatory activities in macrophages and microglia. RESULTS Macrophage- or microglia-derived cell membrane camouflaging alters the endocytic pathways of CpG NP, promotes their targeted delivery to the cells with homologous membrane, ensures their endosomal localization, and enhances their immunomodulatory effects. CONCLUSIONS We design a type of biomimetic NP consisting of self-assembled CpG NP core and cell membrane shell, and demonstrate its advantages in the modulation of peripheral and central immune cells. Our study provides a new strategy for the application of CpG ODNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubo Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Daoxia Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanfeng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Liu
- Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Neurology, Xuhui District Central Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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20
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López-Oreja I, Playa-Albinyana H, Arenas F, López-Guerra M, Colomer D. Challenges with Approved Targeted Therapies against Recurrent Mutations in CLL: A Place for New Actionable Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3150. [PMID: 34202439 PMCID: PMC8269088 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a high degree of genetic variability and interpatient heterogeneity. In the last decade, novel alterations have been described. Some of them impact on the prognosis and evolution of patients. The approval of BTK inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors and Bcl-2 inhibitors has drastically changed the treatment of patients with CLL. The effect of these new targeted therapies has been widely analyzed in TP53-mutated cases, but few data exist about the response of patients carrying other recurrent mutations. In this review, we describe the biological pathways recurrently altered in CLL that might have an impact on the response to these new therapies together with the possibility to use new actionable targets to optimize treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene López-Oreja
- Experimental Therapies in Lymphoid Neoplasms, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (I.L.-O.); (H.P.-A.); (F.A.); (M.L.-G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Heribert Playa-Albinyana
- Experimental Therapies in Lymphoid Neoplasms, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (I.L.-O.); (H.P.-A.); (F.A.); (M.L.-G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabián Arenas
- Experimental Therapies in Lymphoid Neoplasms, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (I.L.-O.); (H.P.-A.); (F.A.); (M.L.-G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica López-Guerra
- Experimental Therapies in Lymphoid Neoplasms, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (I.L.-O.); (H.P.-A.); (F.A.); (M.L.-G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolors Colomer
- Experimental Therapies in Lymphoid Neoplasms, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (I.L.-O.); (H.P.-A.); (F.A.); (M.L.-G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncología (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
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