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Kurtz KJ, Conneely SE, O'Keefe M, Wohlan K, Rau RE. Murine Models of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 12:854973. [PMID: 35756660 PMCID: PMC9214208 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.854973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous hematologic malignancy. Extensive sequencing efforts have mapped the genomic landscape of adult and pediatric AML revealing a number of biologically and prognostically relevant driver lesions. Beyond identifying recurrent genetic aberrations, it is of critical importance to fully delineate the complex mechanisms by which they contribute to the initiation and evolution of disease to ultimately facilitate the development of targeted therapies. Towards these aims, murine models of AML are indispensable research tools. The rapid evolution of genetic engineering techniques over the past 20 years has greatly advanced the use of murine models to mirror specific genetic subtypes of human AML, define cell-intrinsic and extrinsic disease mechanisms, study the interaction between co-occurring genetic lesions, and test novel therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes the mouse model systems that have been developed to recapitulate the most common genomic subtypes of AML. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of varying modeling strategies, highlight major discoveries emanating from these model systems, and outline future opportunities to leverage emerging technologies for mechanistic and preclinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen J Kurtz
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shannon E Conneely
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Madeleine O'Keefe
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Katharina Wohlan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rachel E Rau
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
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Mouse Models of Frequently Mutated Genes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246192. [PMID: 34944812 PMCID: PMC8699817 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous blood cancer with variable prognosis and response to conventional therapies. Comprehensive sequencing enabled the discovery of recurrent mutations and chromosomal aberrations in AML. Mouse models are essential to study the biological function of these genes and to identify relevant drug targets. This comprehensive review describes the evidence currently available from mouse models for the leukemogenic function of mutations in seven functional gene groups: cell signaling genes, epigenetic modifier genes, nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), transcription factors, tumor suppressors, spliceosome genes, and cohesin complex genes. Additionally, we provide a synergy map of frequently cooperating mutations in AML development and correlate prognosis of these mutations with leukemogenicity in mouse models to better understand the co-dependence of mutations in AML.
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Lee P, Yim R, Yung Y, Chu HT, Yip PK, Gill H. Molecular Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy for Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10232. [PMID: 34638574 PMCID: PMC8508686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous, clonal hematological disorder characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, cytopenia, morphologic dysplasia, and predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Stem cell genomic instability, microenvironmental aberrations, and somatic mutations contribute to leukemic transformation. The hypomethylating agents (HMAs), azacitidine and decitabine are the standard of care for patients with higher-risk MDS. Although these agents induce responses in up to 40-60% of patients, primary or secondary drug resistance is relatively common. To improve the treatment outcome, combinational therapies comprising HMA with targeted therapy or immunotherapy are being evaluated and are under continuous development. This review provides a comprehensive update of the molecular pathogenesis and immune-dysregulations involved in MDS, mechanisms of resistance to HMA, and strategies to overcome HMA resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Harinder Gill
- Division of Haematology, Medical Oncology and Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (P.L.); (R.Y.); (Y.Y.); (H.-T.C.); (P.-K.Y.)
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RNA-Binding Proteins in Acute Leukemias. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103409. [PMID: 32408494 PMCID: PMC7279408 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute leukemias are genetic diseases caused by translocations or mutations, which dysregulate hematopoiesis towards malignant transformation. However, the molecular mode of action is highly versatile and ranges from direct transcriptional to post-transcriptional control, which includes RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) as crucial regulators of cell fate. RBPs coordinate RNA dynamics, including subcellular localization, translational efficiency and metabolism, by binding to their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), thereby controlling the expression of the encoded proteins. In view of the growing interest in these regulators, this review summarizes recent research regarding the most influential RBPs relevant in acute leukemias in particular. The reported RBPs, either dysregulated or as components of fusion proteins, are described with respect to their functional domains, the pathways they affect, and clinical aspects associated with their dysregulation or altered functions.
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Skayneh H, Jishi B, Hleihel R, Hamieh M, Darwiche N, Bazarbachi A, El Sabban M, El Hajj H. A Critical Review of Animal Models Used in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Pathophysiology. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E614. [PMID: 31412687 PMCID: PMC6722578 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most frequent, complex, and heterogeneous hematological malignancies. AML prognosis largely depends on acquired cytogenetic, epigenetic, and molecular abnormalities. Despite the improvement in understanding the biology of AML, survival rates remain quite low. Animal models offer a valuable tool to recapitulate different AML subtypes, and to assess the potential role of novel and known mutations in disease progression. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of select available AML animal models. These include the non-mammalian Zebrafish and Drosophila models as well as the mammalian rodent systems, comprising rats and mice. The suitability of each animal model, its contribution to the advancement of knowledge in AML pathophysiology and treatment, as well as its advantages and limitations are discussed. Despite some limitations, animal models represent a powerful approach to assess toxicity, and permit the design of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala Skayneh
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Batoul Jishi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Rita Hleihel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Maguy Hamieh
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Nadine Darwiche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Marwan El Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
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Almosailleakh M, Schwaller J. Murine Models of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E453. [PMID: 30669675 PMCID: PMC6358780 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20020453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a rare but severe form of human cancer that results from a limited number of functionally cooperating genetic abnormalities leading to uncontrolled proliferation and impaired differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Before the identification of genetic driver lesions, chemically, irradiation or viral infection-induced mouse leukaemia models provided platforms to test novel chemotherapeutics. Later, transgenic mouse models were established to test the in vivo transforming potential of newly cloned fusion genes and genetic aberrations detected in patients' genomes. Hereby researchers constitutively or conditionally expressed the respective gene in the germline of the mouse or reconstituted the hematopoietic system of lethally irradiated mice with bone marrow virally expressing the mutation of interest. More recently, immune deficient mice have been explored to study patient-derived human AML cells in vivo. Unfortunately, although complementary to each other, none of the currently available strategies faithfully model the initiation and progression of the human disease. Nevertheless, fast advances in the fields of next generation sequencing, molecular technology and bioengineering are continuously contributing to the generation of better mouse models. Here we review the most important AML mouse models of each category, briefly describe their advantages and limitations and show how they have contributed to our understanding of the biology and to the development of novel therapies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Bone Marrow Transplantation
- Carcinogens/administration & dosage
- Cell Transformation, Viral
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Editing
- Heterografts
- Humans
- Immunocompromised Host
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/etiology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Radiation, Ionizing
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Almosailleakh
- Department of Biomedicine, University Children's Hospital beider Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Juerg Schwaller
- Department of Biomedicine, University Children's Hospital beider Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
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