1
|
Piktel D, Nair RR, Rellick SL, Geldenhuys WJ, Martin KH, Craig MD, Gibson LF. Pitavastatin Is Anti-Leukemic in a Bone Marrow Microenvironment Model of B-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112681. [PMID: 35681662 PMCID: PMC9179467 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112681] [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: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Chemoresistance after chemotherapy is a negative prognostic indicator for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), necessitating the search for novel therapies. By growing ALL cells together with bone marrow stromal cells, we developed a chemoresistant ALL model. Using this model, we found that the lipid lowering drug pitavastatin had antileukemic activity in this chemoresistant co-culture model. Our data suggests that pitavastatin may be a novel treatment option for repurposing in chemoresistant, relapse ALL. Abstract The lack of complete therapeutic success in the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been attributed, in part, to a subset of cells within the bone marrow microenvironment that are drug resistant. Recently, the cholesterol synthesis inhibitor, pitavastatin (PIT), was shown to be active in acute myeloid leukemia, prompting us to evaluate it in our in vitro co-culture model, which supports a chemo-resistant ALL population. We used phospho-protein profiling to evaluate the use of lipid metabolic active compounds in these chemo-resistant cells, due to the up-regulation of multiple active survival signals. In a co-culture with stromal cells, a shift towards anabolic processes occurred, which was further confirmed by assays showing increased lipid content. The treatment of REH leukemia cells with pitavastatin in the co-culture model resulted in significantly higher leukemic cell death than exposure to the standard-of-care chemotherapeutic agent, cytarabine (Ara-C). Our data demonstrates the use of pitavastatin as a possible alternative treatment strategy to improve patient outcomes in chemo-resistant, relapsed ALL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Piktel
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (D.P.); (R.R.N.); (S.L.R.); (K.H.M.)
| | - Rajesh R. Nair
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (D.P.); (R.R.N.); (S.L.R.); (K.H.M.)
| | - Stephanie L. Rellick
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (D.P.); (R.R.N.); (S.L.R.); (K.H.M.)
| | - Werner J. Geldenhuys
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
| | - Karen H. Martin
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (D.P.); (R.R.N.); (S.L.R.); (K.H.M.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | | | - Laura F. Gibson
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (D.P.); (R.R.N.); (S.L.R.); (K.H.M.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-304-293-7206
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Geldenhuys WJ, Piktel D, Moore JC, Rellick SL, Meadows E, Pinti MV, Hollander JM, Ammer AG, Martin KH, Gibson LF. Loss of the redox mitochondrial protein mitoNEET leads to mitochondrial dysfunction in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 175:226-235. [PMID: 34496224 PMCID: PMC8478879 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) affects both pediatric and adult patients. Chemotherapy resistant tumor cells that contribute to minimal residual disease (MRD) underlie relapse and poor clinical outcomes in a sub-set of patients. Targeting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the treatment of refractory leukemic cells is a potential novel approach to sensitizing tumor cells to existing standard of care therapeutic agents. In the current study, we have expanded our previous investigation of the mitoNEET ligand NL-1 in the treatment of ALL to interrogate the functional role of the mitochondrial outer membrane protein mitoNEET in B-cell ALL. Knockout (KO) of mitoNEET (gene: CISD1) in REH leukemic cells led to changes in mitochondrial ultra-structure and function. REH cells have significantly reduced OXPHOS capacity in the KO cells coincident with reduction in electron flow and increased reactive oxygen species. In addition, we found a decrease in lipid content in KO cells, as compared to the vector control cells was observed. Lastly, the KO of mitoNEET was associated with decreased proliferation as compared to control cells when exposed to the standard of care agent cytarabine (Ara-C). Taken together, these observations suggest that mitoNEET is essential for optimal function of mitochondria in B-cell ALL and may represent a novel anti-leukemic drug target for treatment of minimal residual disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Werner J Geldenhuys
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, USA; Mitochondria Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Debbie Piktel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Javohn C Moore
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Stephanie L Rellick
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ethan Meadows
- Department of Human Performance, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; Mitochondria Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mark V Pinti
- Department of Human Performance, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; Mitochondria Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - John M Hollander
- Department of Human Performance, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; Mitochondria Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Amanda G Ammer
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Karen H Martin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rellick SL, Hu G, Piktel D, Martin KH, Geldenhuys WJ, Nair RR, Gibson LF. Co-culture model of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia recapitulates a transcription signature of chemotherapy-refractory minimal residual disease. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15840. [PMID: 34349149 PMCID: PMC8339057 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95039-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by accumulation of immature hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, a well-established sanctuary site for leukemic cell survival during treatment. While standard of care treatment results in remission in most patients, a small population of patients will relapse, due to the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) consisting of dormant, chemotherapy-resistant tumor cells. To interrogate this clinically relevant population of treatment refractory cells, we developed an in vitro cell model in which human ALL cells are grown in co-culture with human derived bone marrow stromal cells or osteoblasts. Within this co-culture, tumor cells are found in suspension, lightly attached to the top of the adherent cells, or buried under the adherent cells in a population that is phase dim (PD) by light microscopy. PD cells are dormant and chemotherapy-resistant, consistent with the population of cells that underlies MRD. In the current study, we characterized the transcriptional signature of PD cells by RNA-Seq, and these data were compared to a published expression data set derived from human MRD B-cell ALL patients. Our comparative analyses revealed that the PD cell population is markedly similar to the MRD expression patterns from the primary cells isolated from patients. We further identified genes and key signaling pathways that are common between the PD tumor cells from co-culture and patient derived MRD cells as potential therapeutic targets for future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Rellick
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Gangqing Hu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Bioinformatics Core, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Debra Piktel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Karen H Martin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Werner J Geldenhuys
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Rajesh R Nair
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nair RR, Piktel D, Hathaway QA, Rellick SL, Thomas P, Saralkar P, Martin KH, Geldenhuys WJ, Hollander JM, Gibson LF. Pyrvinium Pamoate Use in a B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Model of the Bone Tumor Microenvironment. Pharm Res 2020; 37:43. [PMID: 31989336 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-020-2767-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pyrvinium pamoate (PP) is an anthelmintic drug that has been found to have anti-cancer activity in several cancer types. In the present study, we evaluated PP for potential anti-leukemic activity in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines, in an effort to evaluate the repurposing potential of this drug in leukemia. METHODS ALL cells were treated with PP at various concentrations to determine its effect on cell proliferation. Metabolic function was tested by evaluating Extracellular Acidification Rate (ECAR) and Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR). Lastly, 3D spheroids were grown, and PP was reformulated into nanoparticles to evaluate distribution effectiveness. RESULTS PP was found to inhibit ALL proliferation, with varied selectivity to different ALL cell subtypes. We also found that PP's cell death activity was specific for leukemic cells, as primary normal immune cells were resistant to PP-mediated cell death. Metabolic studies indicated that PP, in part, inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. To increase the targeting of PP to a hypoxic bone tumor microenvironment (BTME) niche, we successfully encapsulated PP in a nanoparticle drug delivery system and demonstrated that it retained its anti-leukemic activity in a hemosphere assay. CONCLUSION We have demonstrated that PP is a novel therapeutic lead compound that counteracts the respiratory reprogramming found in refractory ALL cells and can be effectively formulated into a nanoparticle delivery system to target the BTME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh R Nair
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Debbie Piktel
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, PO Box 9104, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Quincy A Hathaway
- Division of Exercise Physiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.,Mitochondria, Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Stephanie L Rellick
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Patrick Thomas
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, PO Box 9104, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Pushkar Saralkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Karen H Martin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.,West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, PO Box 9104, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Werner J Geldenhuys
- Mitochondria, Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - John M Hollander
- Division of Exercise Physiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.,Mitochondria, Metabolism and Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. .,West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, PO Box 9104, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Geldenhuys WJ, Nair RR, Piktel D, Martin KH, Gibson LF. The MitoNEET Ligand NL-1 Mediates Antileukemic Activity in Drug-Resistant B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 370:25-34. [PMID: 31010844 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.255984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease relapse in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), either due to development of acquired resistance after therapy or because of de novo resistance, remains a therapeutic challenge. In the present study, we have developed a cytarabine (Ara-C)-resistant REH cell line (REH/Ara-C) as a chemoresistance model. REH/Ara-C 1) was not crossresistant to vincristine or methotrexate; 2) showed a similar proliferation rate and cell surface marker expression as parental REH; 3) demonstrated decreased chemotaxis toward bone marrow stromal cells; and 4) expressed higher transcript levels of cytidine deaminase (CDA) and mitoNEET (CISD1) than the parental REH cell line. Based on these findings, we tested NL-1, a mitoNEET inhibitor, which induced a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability with a comparable IC50 value in REH and REH/Ara-C. Furthermore, NL-1 decreased cell viability in six different ALL cell lines and showed inhibitory activity in a hemosphere assay. NL-1 also impaired the migratory ability of leukemic cells, irrespective of the chemoattractant used, in a chemotaxis assay. More importantly, NL-1 showed specific activity in inducing death in a drug-resistant population of leukemic cells within a coculture model that mimicked the acquired resistance and de novo resistance observed in the bone marrow of relapsed patients. Subsequent studies indicated that NL-1 mediates autophagy, and inhibition of autophagy partially decreased NL-1-induced tumor cell death. Finally, NL-1 showed antileukemic activity in an in vivo mouse ALL model. Taken together, our study demonstrates that mitoNEET has potential as a novel antileukemic drug target in treatment refractory or relapsed ALL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Werner J Geldenhuys
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy (W.J.G.), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine (R.R.N., K.H.M., L.F.G.), Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center (W.J.G., R.R.N., D.P., K.H.M., L.F.G.), and WVU Cancer Institute (W.J.G., K.H.M., L.F.G.), West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Rajesh R Nair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy (W.J.G.), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine (R.R.N., K.H.M., L.F.G.), Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center (W.J.G., R.R.N., D.P., K.H.M., L.F.G.), and WVU Cancer Institute (W.J.G., K.H.M., L.F.G.), West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Debbie Piktel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy (W.J.G.), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine (R.R.N., K.H.M., L.F.G.), Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center (W.J.G., R.R.N., D.P., K.H.M., L.F.G.), and WVU Cancer Institute (W.J.G., K.H.M., L.F.G.), West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Karen H Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy (W.J.G.), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine (R.R.N., K.H.M., L.F.G.), Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center (W.J.G., R.R.N., D.P., K.H.M., L.F.G.), and WVU Cancer Institute (W.J.G., K.H.M., L.F.G.), West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy (W.J.G.), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine (R.R.N., K.H.M., L.F.G.), Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center (W.J.G., R.R.N., D.P., K.H.M., L.F.G.), and WVU Cancer Institute (W.J.G., K.H.M., L.F.G.), West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nair RR, Piktel D, Geldenhuys WJ, Gibson LF. Combination of cabazitaxel and plicamycin induces cell death in drug resistant B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leuk Res 2018; 72:59-66. [PMID: 30103201 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Bone marrow microenvironment mediated downregulation of BCL6 is critical for maintaining cell quiescence and modulating therapeutic response in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In the present study, we have performed a high throughput cell death assay using BCL6 knockdown REH ALL cell line to screen a library of FDA-approved oncology drugs. In the process, we have identified a microtubule inhibitor, cabazitaxel (CAB), and a RNA synthesis inhibitor, plicamycin (PLI) as potential anti-leukemic agents. CAB and PLI inhibited cell proliferation in not only the BCL6 knockdown REH cell line, but also six other ALL cell lines. Furthermore, combination of CAB and PLI had a synergistic effect in inhibiting proliferation in a cytarabine-resistant (REH/Ara-C) ALL cell line. Use of nanoparticles for delivery of CAB and PLI demonstrated that the combination was very effective when tested in a co-culture model that mimics the in vivo bone marrow microenvironment that typically supports ALL cell survival and migration into protective niches. Furthermore, exposure to PLI inhibited SOX2 transcription and exposure to CAB inhibited not only Mcl-1 expression but also chemotaxis in ALL cells. Taken together, our study demonstrates the utility of concomitantly targeting different critical regulatory pathways to induce cell death in drug resistant ALL cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh R Nair
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Debbie Piktel
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Werner J Geldenhuys
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, and WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States; Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States; WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nair RR, Geldenhuys WJ, Piktel D, Sadana P, Gibson LF. Novel compounds that target lipoprotein lipase and mediate growth arrest in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:1937-1942. [PMID: 29650292 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.03.061] [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: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, the therapeutic strategies employed to treat B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been progressively successful in treating the disease. Unfortunately, the treatment associated dyslipidemia, either acute or chronic, is very prevalent and a cause for decreased quality of life in the surviving patients. To overcome this hurdle, we tested a series of cylopropanecarboxamides, a family demonstrated to target lipid metabolism, for their anti-leukemic activity in ALL. Several of the compounds tested showed anti-proliferative activity, with one, compound 22, inhibiting both Philadelphia chromosome negative REH and Philadelphia chromosome positive SupB15 ALL cell division. The novel advantage of these compounds is the potential synergy with standard chemotherapeutic agents, while concomitantly blunting the emergence of dyslipidemia. Thus, the cylopropanecarboxamides represent a novel class of compounds that can be potentially used in combination with the present standard-of-care to limit treatment associated dyslipidemia in ALL patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh R Nair
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Werner J Geldenhuys
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Debbie Piktel
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Prabodh Sadana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; West Virginia University Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Slone WL, Moses BS, Hare I, Evans R, Piktel D, Gibson LF. BCL6 modulation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia response to chemotherapy. Oncotarget 2018; 7:23439-53. [PMID: 27015556 PMCID: PMC5029638 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The bone marrow niche has a significant impact on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell phenotype. Of clinical relevance is the frequency with which quiescent leukemic cells, in this niche, survive treatment and contribute to relapse. This study suggests that marrow microenvironment regulation of BCL6 in ALL is one factor that may be involved in the transition between proliferative and quiescent states of ALL cells. Utilizing ALL cell lines, and primary patient tumor cells we observed that tumor cell BCL6 protein abundance is decreased in the presence of primary human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and osteoblasts (HOB). Chemical inhibition, or shRNA knockdown, of BCL6 in ALL cells resulted in diminished ALL proliferation. As many chemotherapy regimens require tumor cell proliferation for optimal efficacy, we investigated the consequences of constitutive BCL6 expression in leukemic cells during co-culture with BMSC or HOB. Forced chronic expression of BCL6 during co-culture with BMSC or HOB sensitized the tumor to chemotherapy induced cell death. Combination treatment of caffeine, which increases BCL6 expression in ALL cells, with chemotherapy extended the event free survival of mice. These data suggest that BCL6 is one factor, modulated by microenvironment derived cues that may contribute to regulation of ALL therapeutic response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William L Slone
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of The WVU Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Blake S Moses
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of The WVU Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ian Hare
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of The WVU Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Rebecca Evans
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of The WVU Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Debbie Piktel
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of The WVU Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of The WVU Cancer Institute, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jiang Y, Xu P, Yao D, Chen X, Dai H. CD33, CD96 and Death Associated Protein Kinase (DAPK) Expression Are Associated with the Survival Rate and/or Response to the Chemotherapy in the Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:1725-1732. [PMID: 28391288 PMCID: PMC5395139 DOI: 10.12659/msm.900305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leukemia stem cells (LSC) are involved in the incidence, drug resistance, and relapse of leukemia while LSC-related antigen CD33, CD96, and DAPK expression in AML and its prognosis is still unclear. This study explored LSC-related antigens expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its prognosis. Material/Methods A total of 156 cases of AML patients were enrolled in the experiment. The expression of CD33, CD96, and DAPK in CD34+CD38−CD123+ LSC were tested by flow cytometry. The survival curve was established using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Among different subtypes of AML, the positive rate of CD33 was M3> M5> M1> M2> M4; for CD96 it was M5> M4> M2> M3> M1; and for DAPK it was M3> M2> M5> M4> M1. After chemotherapy, the response rate in CD33 and CD96 high expression groups, and DAPK low expression group was significantly lower than the groups with CD33 low expression, CD96 low expression, and DAPK high expression. The median survival time in the CD33 high expression group was markedly lower than the CD33 low expression group (36.5 months). The CD96 high expression group exhibited obviously shorter median survival time than the CD96 low expression group. The DAPK high expression group exhibited longer median survival time than the DAPK low expression group. Conclusions CD33 and CD96 overexpression, and DAPK downregulation in the LSC of AML patients were associated with poor chemotherapy effect and prognosis, and higher recurrence rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongfang Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China (mainland)
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China (mainland)
| | - Dandan Yao
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China (mainland)
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China (mainland)
| | - Haibin Dai
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China (mainland)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Moses BS, Evans R, Slone WL, Piktel D, Martinez I, Craig MD, Gibson LF. Bone Marrow Microenvironment Niche Regulates miR-221/222 in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Mol Cancer Res 2016; 14:909-919. [PMID: 27358112 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-15-0474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has many features in common with normal B-cell progenitors, including their ability to respond to diverse signals from the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) resulting in regulation of cell-cycle progression and survival. Bone marrow-derived cues influence many elements of both steady state hematopoiesis and hematopoietic tumor cell phenotypes through modulation of gene expression. miRNAs are one regulatory class of small noncoding RNAs that have been shown to be increasingly important in diverse settings of malignancy. In the current study, miRNA profiles were globally altered in ALL cells following exposure to primary human bone marrow niche cells, including bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and primary human osteoblasts (HOB). Specifically, mature miR-221 and miR-222 transcripts were decreased in ALL cells cocultured with BMSC or HOB, coincident with increased p27 (CDKN1B), a previously validated target. Increased p27 protein in ALL cells exposed to BMSC or HOB is consistent with accumulation of tumor cells in the G0 phase of the cell cycle and resistance to chemotherapy-induced death. Overexpression of miR-221 in ALL cells during BMSC or HOB coculture prompted cell-cycle progression and sensitization of ALL cells to cytotoxic agents, blunting the protective influence of the BMM. These novel observations indicate that BMM regulation of miR-221/222 contributes to marrow niche-supported tumor cell quiescence and survival of residual cells. IMPLICATIONS Niche-influenced miR-221/222 may define a novel therapeutic target in ALL to be combined with existing cytotoxic agents to more effectively eradicate refractory disease that contributes to relapse. Mol Cancer Res; 14(10); 909-19. ©2016 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake S Moses
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Rebecca Evans
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - William L Slone
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Debbie Piktel
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Ivan Martinez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Michael D Craig
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Moses BS, Slone WL, Thomas P, Evans R, Piktel D, Angel PM, Walsh CM, Cantrell PS, Rellick SL, Martin KH, Simpkins JW, Gibson LF. Bone marrow microenvironment modulation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia phenotype. Exp Hematol 2016; 44:50-9.e1-2. [PMID: 26407636 PMCID: PMC4684957 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment regimens have dramatically improved the survival of ALL patients. However, chemoresistant minimal residual disease that persists following cessation of therapy contributes to aggressive relapse. The bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) is an established "site of sanctuary" for ALL, as well as myeloid-lineage hematopoietic disease, with signals in this unique anatomic location contributing to drug resistance. Several models have been developed to recapitulate the interactions between the BMM and ALL cells. However, many in vitro models fail to accurately reflect the level of protection afforded to the most resistant subset of leukemic cells during coculture with BMM elements. Preclinical in vivo models have advantages, but can be costly, and are often not fully informed by optimal in vitro studies. We describe an innovative extension of 2-D coculture wherein ALL cells uniquely interact with bone marrow-derived stromal cells. Tumor cells in this model bury beneath primary human bone marrow-derived stromal cells or osteoblasts, termed "phase dim" ALL, and exhibit a unique phenotype characterized by altered metabolism, distinct protein expression profiles, increased quiescence, and pronounced chemotherapy resistance. Investigation focused on the phase dim subpopulation may more efficiently inform preclinical design and investigation of the minimal residual disease and relapse that arise from BMM-supported leukemic tumor cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake S Moses
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - William L Slone
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Patrick Thomas
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Rebecca Evans
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Debbie Piktel
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | | | | | | | - Stephanie L Rellick
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Karen H Martin
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - James W Simpkins
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV; Center for Basic and Translational Stroke Research, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV; Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Laura F Gibson
- Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morganstown, WV.
| |
Collapse
|