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Wang Y, Liu Q, Liang S, Yao M, Zheng H, Hu D, Wang Y. Genetically predicted telomere length and the risk of 11 hematological diseases: a Mendelian randomization study. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:4270-4281. [PMID: 38393686 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205583] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated that various hematologic diseases (HDs) induce alterations in telomere length (TL). The aim of this study is to investigate whether genetically predicted changes in TL have an impact on the risk of developing HDs. METHODS GWAS data for TL and 11 HDs were extracted from the database. The R software package "TwoSampleMR" was employed to conduct a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, in order to estimate the influence of TL changes on the risk of developing the 11 HDs. RESULTS We examined the effect of TL changes on the risk of developing the 11 HDs. The IVW results revealed a significant causal association between genetically predicted longer TL and the risk of developing acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma (MANTLE), and hodgkin lymphoma (HODGKIN). However, there was no significant causal relationship observed between TL changes and the risk of developing chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), marginal zone b-cell lymphoma (MARGINAL), follicular lymphoma (FOLLICULAR), monocytic leukemia (MONOCYTIC), and mature T/NK-cell lymphomas (TNK). CONCLUSIONS The MR analysis revealed a positive association between genetically predicted longer TL and an increased risk of developing ALL, AML, CLL, MANTLE, and HODGKIN. This study further supports the notion that cells with longer TL have greater proliferative and mutational potential, leading to an increased risk of certain HDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qi Liu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Shibing Liang
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Minghao Yao
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Huimin Zheng
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Dongqing Hu
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Roka K, Solomou EE, Kattamis A. Telomere biology: from disorders to hematological diseases. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1167848. [PMID: 37274248 PMCID: PMC10235513 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1167848] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Variations in the length of telomeres and pathogenic variants involved in telomere length maintenance have been correlated with several human diseases. Recent breakthroughs in telomere biology knowledge have contributed to the identification of illnesses named "telomeropathies" and revealed an association between telomere length and disease outcome. This review emphasizes the biology and physiology aspects of telomeres and describes prototype diseases in which telomeres are implicated in their pathophysiology. We also provide information on the role of telomeres in hematological diseases ranging from bone marrow failure syndromes to acute and chronic leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kleoniki Roka
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, Full Member of ERN GENTURIS, Athens, Greece
| | - Elena E. Solomou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, Rion, Greece
| | - Antonis Kattamis
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, First Department of Pediatrics, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, Full Member of ERN GENTURIS, Athens, Greece
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3
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da Mota THA, Camargo R, Biojone ER, Guimarães AFR, Pittella-Silva F, de Oliveira DM. The Relevance of Telomerase and Telomere-Associated Proteins in B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030691. [PMID: 36980962 PMCID: PMC10048576 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres and telomerase are closely linked to uncontrolled cellular proliferation, immortalization and carcinogenesis. Telomerase has been largely studied in the context of cancer, including leukemias. Deregulation of human telomerase gene hTERT is a well-established step in leukemia development. B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) recovery rates exceed 90% in children; however, the relapse rate is around 20% among treated patients, and 10% of these are still incurable. This review highlights the biological and clinical relevance of telomerase for B-ALL and the implications of its canonical and non-canonical action on signaling pathways in the context of disease and treatment. The physiological role of telomerase in lymphocytes makes the study of its biomarker potential a great challenge. Nevertheless, many works have demonstrated that high telomerase activity or hTERT expression, as well as short telomeres, correlate with poor prognosis in B-ALL. Telomerase and related proteins have been proven to be promising pharmacological targets. Likewise, combined therapy with telomerase inhibitors may turn out to be an alternative strategy for B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tales Henrique Andrade da Mota
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Ricardo Camargo
- Brasília Children’s Hospital José Alencar, Brasilia 70684-831, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Flávia Reis Guimarães
- Laboratory of Molecular Analysis, Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil
| | - Fabio Pittella-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
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Tao HY, He SM, Zhao CY, Wang Y, Sheng WJ, Zhen YS. Antitumor efficacy of a recombinant EGFR-targeted fusion protein conjugate that induces telomere shortening and telomerase downregulation. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 226:1088-1099. [PMID: 36435475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.225] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To prepare a recombinant EGFR-targeted fusion protein drug conjugate acting on telomere and telomerase; and evaluate its antitumor efficacy. METHODS We prepared a recombinant fusion protein Fv-LDP-D3 which consists of the Fv fragment of an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (MAb), the apoprotein of lidamycin (LDP), and the third domain (D3) of human serum albumin (HSA); then generated the conjugate Fv-LDP-D3∼AE by integrating the active enediyne chomophore (AE) of lidamycin. Accordingly, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed. RESULTS As shown, Fv-LDP-D3 specifically bound to EGFR highly-expressing cancer cells and intensely entered K-Ras mutant cells via enhanced macropinocytosis. By in vivo imaging, Fv-LDP-D3 displayed intense accumulation and persistent retention in tumor-site. Furthermore, the conjugate Fv-LDP-D3∼AE displayed highly potent cytotoxicity to cancer cells with IC50 at 0.1 nM level. The conjugate induced telomere shortening and downregulation of telomerase and EGFR pathway related proteins. Fv-LDP-D3∼AE exhibited prominent antitumor efficacy against human colorectal cancer xenograft accompanying with significant increase of serum IFN-β in athymic mice. CONCLUSION The recombinant fusion protein conjugate that exhibits the capability of tumor-targeting drug delivery can induce telomere shortening and telomerase downregulation. The investigation may lay the foundation for the development of MAb-HSA domain-based fusion protein drug conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yu Tao
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Shi-Ming He
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Chun-Yan Zhao
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Ying Wang
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Wei-Jin Sheng
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China.
| | - Yong-Su Zhen
- Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China.
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Zia S, Khan N, Tehreem K, Rehman N, Sami R, Baty RS, Tayeb FJ, Almashjary MN, Alsubhi NH, Alrefaei GI, Shahid R. Transcriptomic Analysis of Conserved Telomere Maintenance Component 1 (CTC1) and Its Association with Leukemia. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195780. [PMID: 36233645 PMCID: PMC9571731 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195780] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length (TEL) regulation is important for genome stability and is governed by the coordinated role of shelterin proteins, telomerase (TERT), and CST (CTC1/OBFC1/TEN1) complex. Previous studies have shown the association of telomerase expression with the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, no data are available for CST association with the ALL. The current pilot study was designed to evaluate the CST expression levels in ALL. In total, 350 subjects were recruited, including 250 ALL cases and 100 controls. The subjects were stratified by age and categorized into pediatrics (1–18 years) and adults (19–54 years). TEL and expression patterns of CTC1, OBFC1, and TERT genes were determined by qPCR. The univariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of gene expression with ALL, and the results were adjusted for age and sex in multivariable analyses. Pediatric and adult cases did not reflect any change in telomere lengths relative to controls. However, expression of CTC1, OBFC1, and TERT genes were induced among ALL cases. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed association of CTC1 with ALL in pediatric [β estimate (standard error (SE)= −0.013 (0.007), p = 0.049, and adults [0.053 (0.023), p = 0.025]. The association of CTC1 remained significant when taken together with OBFC1 and TERT in a multivariable model. Furthermore, CTC1 showed significant association with B-cell ALL [−0.057(0.017), p = 0.002) and T-cell ALL [−0.050 (0.018), p = 0.008] in pediatric group while no such association was noted in adults. Together, our findings demonstrated that telomere modulating genes, particularly CTC1, are strongly associated with ALL. Therefore, CTC1 can potentially be used as a risk biomarker for the identification of ALL in both pediatrics and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saadiya Zia
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Netasha Khan
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Komal Tehreem
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Nazia Rehman
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Rokayya Sami
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roua S. Baty
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faris J. Tayeb
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 47713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majed N. Almashjary
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
- Hematology Research Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouf H. Alsubhi
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Science and Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh 21911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghadeer I. Alrefaei
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ramla Shahid
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
- Correspondence:
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Xiang C, Wu J, Yu L. Construction of three-gene-based prognostic signature and analysis of immune cells infiltration in children and young adults with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2022; 10:e1964. [PMID: 35603962 PMCID: PMC9266608 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1964] [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: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although B‐acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) patients' survival has been improved dramatically, some cases still relapse. This study aimed to explore the prognosis‐related novel differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for predicting the overall survival (OS) of children and young adults (CAYAs) with B‐ALL and analyze the immune‐related factors contributing to poor prognosis. Methods GSE48558 and GSE79533 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and clinical sample information and mRNA‐seq from Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) database were retrieved. Prognosis‐related key genes were enrolled to build a Cox proportional model using multivariate Cox regression. Five‐year OS of patients, clinical characteristic relevance and clinical independence were assessed based on the model. The mRNA levels of prognosis‐related genes were validated in our samples and the difference of immune cells composition between high‐risk and low‐risk patients were compared. Results One hundred and twelve DEGs between normal B cells and B‐ALL cells were identified based on GSE datasets. They were mainly participated in protein binding and HIF‐1 signaling pathway. One hundred and eighty‐nine clinical samples were enrolled in the study, both Kaplan–Meier (KM) analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis showed that CYBB, BCL2A1, IFI30, and EFNB1 were associated with prognosis, CYBB, BCL2A1, and EFNB1 were used to construct prognostic risk model. Moreover, compared to clinical indicators, the three‐gene signature was an independent prognostic factor for CAYAs with B‐ALL. Finally, the mRNA levels of CYBB, BCL2A1, and EFNB1 were significantly lower in B‐ALL group as compared to controls. The high‐risk group had a significantly higher percentage of infiltrated immune cells. Conclusion We constructed a novel three‐gene signature with independent prognostic factor for predicting 5‐year OS of CAYAs with B‐ALL. Additionally, we discovered the difference of immune cells composition between high‐risk and low‐risk groups. This study may help to customize individual treatment and improve prognosis of CAYAs with B‐ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Xiang
- Department of Hematology, Huai'an First People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Fifth People's Hospital of Huai'an, Huai'an, China
| | - Liang Yu
- Department of Hematology, Huai'an First People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Hematology of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Imetelstat Induces Leukemia Stem Cell Death in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenografts. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11071923. [PMID: 35407531 PMCID: PMC8999576 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11071923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children remains deadly, despite the use of maximally intensive therapy. Because leukemia stem cells (LSCs) significantly contribute to chemoresistance and relapse, therapies that specifically target the LSCs are likely to be more beneficial in improving outcome. LSCs are known to have high telomerase activity and telomerase activity is negatively correlated with survival in pediatric AML. We evaluated the preclinical efficacy of imetelstat, an oligonucleotide inhibitor of telomerase activity in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) lines of pediatric AML. Imetelstat treatment significantly increased apoptosis/death of the LSC population in a dose-dependent manner in six pediatric AML PDX lines ex vivo, while it had limited activity on the stem cell population in normal bone marrow specimens. These results were validated in vivo in two distinct PDX models wherein imetelstat as single agent or in combination with chemotherapy greatly reduced the LSC percentage and prolonged median survival. Imetelstat combination with DNA hypomethylating agent azacitidine was also beneficial in extending survival. Secondary transplantation experiments showed delayed engraftment and improved survival of mice receiving imetelstat-treated cells, confirming the diminished LSC population. Thus, our data suggest that imetelstat represents an effective therapeutic strategy for pediatric AML.
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Telomerase ( hTERT) Overexpression Reveals a Promising Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutical Target in Different Clinical Subtypes of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101632. [PMID: 34681025 PMCID: PMC8535500 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101632] [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: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a neoplasm of the hematopoietic system defined as a clonal expansion of an abnormal lymphoid precursor cell. It mostly affects children under five years of age and is the most common tumor to afflict pediatric patients. The expression of the human telomerase gene (hTERT) in patients with ALL has been studied as a biomarker and could become a new therapeutic target. We evaluate the role of hTERT gene expression in ALL pediatric patients, through quantitative real-time PCR technique, and the possible correlation between hTERT expression and clinical variables: gender, age, white blood cells (WBC), gene fusions, and immunophenotyping. The analysis between healthy controls and ALL patients (N = 244) was statistically significant (p < 0.001), demonstrating hTERT overexpression in these patients. In comparison with the usual set of clinical variables, the data were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), indicating that hTERT is equally overexpressed among patients regardless of gender, age, gene fusions, and immunophenotyping. Moreover, patients who presented a higher hTERT expression level had a significant (p < 0.0001) lower overall survival rate. In summary, hTERT expression emerges as an important molecular pathway in leukemogenesis regardless patient's clinical variables, thus, the data here presented pointed it as a valuable biomarker in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a promising target for new therapeutic and prognostic measures.
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