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Zhou J, Chng WJ. Unveiling novel insights in acute myeloid leukemia through single-cell RNA sequencing. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1365330. [PMID: 38711849 PMCID: PMC11070491 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1365330] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex and heterogeneous group of aggressive hematopoietic stem cell disease. The presence of diverse and functionally distinct populations of leukemia cells within the same patient's bone marrow or blood poses a significant challenge in diagnosing and treating AML. A substantial proportion of AML patients demonstrate resistance to induction chemotherapy and a grim prognosis upon relapse. The rapid advance in next generation sequencing technologies, such as single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), has revolutionized our understanding of AML pathogenesis by enabling high-resolution interrogation of the cellular heterogeneity in the AML ecosystem, and their transcriptional signatures at a single-cell level. New studies have successfully characterized the inextricably intertwined interactions among AML cells, immune cells and bone marrow microenvironment and their contributions to the AML development, therapeutic resistance and relapse. These findings have deepened and broadened our understanding the complexity and heterogeneity of AML, which are difficult to detect with bulk RNA-seq. This review encapsulates the burgeoning body of knowledge generated through scRNA-seq, providing the novel insights and discoveries it has unveiled in AML biology. Furthermore, we discuss the potential implications of scRNA-seq in therapeutic opportunities, focusing on immunotherapy. Finally, we highlight the current limitations and future direction of scRNA-seq in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbiao Zhou
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Center for Translational Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Center for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wee-Joo Chng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Center for Translational Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Center for Translational Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute of Singapore (NCIS), The National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore
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Zhou W, Li S, Wang H, Zhou J, Li S, Chen G, Guan W, Fu X, Nervi C, Yu L, Li Y. A novel AML1-ETO/FTO positive feedback loop promotes leukemogenesis and Ara-C resistance via stabilizing IGFBP2 in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:9. [PMID: 38268050 PMCID: PMC10807068 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00480-z] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND t(8;21)(q22;q22) is one of the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to the generation of the fusion protein AML1-ETO. Despite t(8;21) AML being considered as a subtype with a favorable prognosis, approximately 30-50% of patients experience drug resistance and subsequent relapse. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is demonstrated to be involved in the development of AML. However, the regulatory mechanisms between AML1-ETO and m6A-related enzymes and the roles of dysregulated m6A modifications in the t(8;21)-leukemogenesis and chemoresistance remain elusive. METHODS Chromatin immunoprecipitation, dual-luciferase reporter assay, m6A-qPCR, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA stability assay were used to investigate a regulatory loop between AML1-ETO and FTO, an m6A demethylase. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments both in vitro and in vivo were further performed. Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing and m6A sequencing were conducted to identify the potential targets of FTO. RESULTS Here we show that FTO is highly expressed in t(8;21) AML, especially in patients with primary refractory disease. The expression of FTO is positively correlated with AML1-ETO, which is attributed to a positive regulatory loop between the AML1-ETO and FTO. Mechanistically, AML1-ETO upregulates FTO expression through inhibiting the transcriptional repression of FTO mediated by PU.1. Meanwhile, FTO promotes the expression of AML1-ETO by inhibiting YTHDF2-mediated AML1-ETO mRNA decay. Inactivation of FTO significantly suppresses cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation and renders resistant t(8;21) AML cells sensitive to Ara-C. FTO exerts functions by regulating its mRNA targets, especially IGFBP2, in an m6A-dependent manner. Regain of Ara-C tolerance is observed when IGFBP2 is overexpressed in FTO-knockdown t(8;21) AML cells. CONCLUSION Our work reveals a therapeutic potential of targeting AML1-ETO/FTO/IGFBP2 minicircuitry in the treatment for t(8;21) patients with resistance to Ara-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Siying Li
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 511400, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingfeng Zhou
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuyi Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Guofeng Chen
- Department of Endoscopy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology of Tianjin, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Wei Guan
- Senior Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Xianli Fu
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Clara Nervi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Roma La Sapienza, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yonghui Li
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
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Huang D, Ma N, Li X, Gou Y, Duan Y, Liu B, Xia J, Zhao X, Wang X, Li Q, Rao J, Zhang X. Advances in single-cell RNA sequencing and its applications in cancer research. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:98. [PMID: 37612741 PMCID: PMC10463514 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01494-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancers are a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by the acquisition of functional capabilities during the transition from a normal to a neoplastic state. Powerful experimental and computational tools can be applied to elucidate the mechanisms of occurrence, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance; however, challenges remain. Bulk RNA sequencing techniques only reflect the average gene expression in a sample, making it difficult to understand tumor heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment. The emergence and development of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies have provided opportunities to understand subtle changes in tumor biology by identifying distinct cell subpopulations, dissecting the tumor microenvironment, and characterizing cellular genomic mutations. Recently, scRNA-seq technology has been increasingly used in cancer studies to explore tumor heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment, which has increased the understanding of tumorigenesis and evolution. This review summarizes the basic processes and development of scRNA-seq technologies and their increasing applications in cancer research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezhi Huang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
| | - Naya Ma
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
| | - Xinlei Li
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
| | - Yang Gou
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
| | - Yishuo Duan
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
| | - Bangdong Liu
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
| | - Jing Xia
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
| | - Xianlan Zhao
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
| | - Xiaoqi Wang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
| | - Qiong Li
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
| | - Jun Rao
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Xi Zhang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
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