1
|
Lee G, Muir TW. Distinct phases of cellular signaling revealed by time-resolved protein synthesis. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:1353-1360. [PMID: 38977789 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01677-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The post-translational regulation of protein function is involved in most cellular processes. As such, synthetic biology tools that operate at this level provide opportunities for manipulating cellular states. Here we deploy proximity-triggered protein trans-splicing technology to enable the time-resolved synthesis of target proteins from premade parts. The modularity of the strategy allows for the addition or removal of various control elements as a function of the splicing reaction, in the process permitting the cellular location and/or activity state of starting materials and products to be differentiated. The approach is applied to a diverse set of proteins, including the kinase oncofusions breakpoint cluster region-Abelson (BCR-ABL) and DNAJ-PKAc where dynamic cellular phosphorylation events are dissected, revealing distinct phases of signaling and identifying molecular players connecting the oncofusion to cancer transformation as new therapeutic targets of cancer cells. We envision that the tools and control strategies developed herein will allow the activity of both naturally occurring and designer proteins to be harnessed for basic and applied research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gihoon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Tom W Muir
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee G, Muir TW. Distinct phases of cellular signaling revealed by time-resolved protein synthesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.10.548208. [PMID: 37503273 PMCID: PMC10369872 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.10.548208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The post-translational regulation of protein function is involved in most cellular processes. As such, synthetic biology tools that operate at this level provide opportunities for manipulating cellular states. Here, we deploy a proximity-triggered protein trans-splicing technology to enable the time-resolved synthesis of target proteins from pre-made parts. The modularity of the strategy allows for the addition or removal of various control elements as a function of the splicing reaction, in the process permitting the cellular location and/or activity state of starting materials and products to be differentiated. The approach is applied to a diverse set of proteins, including the kinase oncofusions BCR/ABL and DNAJB1/PRKACA where dynamic cellular phosphorylation events are dissected, revealing distinct phases of signaling and identifying molecular players connecting the oncofusion to cancer transformation as novel therapeutic targets of cancer cells. We envision that the tools and control strategies developed herein will allow the activity of both naturally occurring and designer proteins to be harnessed for basic and applied research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gihoon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Tom W. Muir
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li J, Kalev‐Zylinska ML. Advances in molecular characterization of pediatric acute megakaryoblastic leukemia not associated with Down syndrome; impact on therapy development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1170622. [PMID: 37325571 PMCID: PMC10267407 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1170622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in which leukemic blasts have megakaryocytic features. AMKL makes up 4%-15% of newly diagnosed pediatric AML, typically affecting young children (less than 2 years old). AMKL associated with Down syndrome (DS) shows GATA1 mutations and has a favorable prognosis. In contrast, AMKL in children without DS is often associated with recurrent and mutually exclusive chimeric fusion genes and has an unfavorable prognosis. This review mainly summarizes the unique features of pediatric non-DS AMKL and highlights the development of novel therapies for high-risk patients. Due to the rarity of pediatric AMKL, large-scale multi-center studies are needed to progress molecular characterization of this disease. Better disease models are also required to test leukemogenic mechanisms and emerging therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jixia Li
- Blood and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Maggie L. Kalev‐Zylinska
- Blood and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Haematology Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Olsen SN, Godfrey L, Healy JP, Choi YA, Kai Y, Hatton C, Perner F, Haarer EL, Nabet B, Yuan GC, Armstrong SA. MLL::AF9 degradation induces rapid changes in transcriptional elongation and subsequent loss of an active chromatin landscape. Mol Cell 2022; 82:1140-1155.e11. [PMID: 35245435 PMCID: PMC9044330 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
MLL rearrangements produce fusion oncoproteins that drive leukemia development, but the direct effects of MLL-fusion inactivation remain poorly defined. We designed models with degradable MLL::AF9 where treatment with small molecules induces rapid degradation. We leveraged the kinetics of this system to identify a core subset of MLL::AF9 target genes where MLL::AF9 degradation induces changes in transcriptional elongation within 15 minutes. MLL::AF9 degradation subsequently causes loss of a transcriptionally active chromatin landscape. We used this insight to assess the effectiveness of small molecules that target members of the MLL::AF9 multiprotein complex, specifically DOT1L and MENIN. Combined DOT1L/MENIN inhibition resembles MLL::AF9 degradation, whereas single-agent treatment has more modest effects on MLL::AF9 occupancy and gene expression. Our data show that MLL::AF9 degradation leads to decreases in transcriptional elongation prior to changes in chromatin landscape at select loci and that combined inhibition of chromatin complexes releases the MLL::AF9 oncoprotein from chromatin globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Naomi Olsen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Laura Godfrey
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - James P Healy
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yoolim A Choi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yan Kai
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Charles Hatton
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Florian Perner
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Internal Medicine C, University Medical Center Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Elena L Haarer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Guo-Cheng Yuan
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Scott A Armstrong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wei Y, Huang YH, Skopelitis DS, Iyer SV, Costa AS, Yang Z, Kramer M, Adelman ER, Klingbeil O, Demerdash OE, Polyanskaya SA, Chang K, Goodwin S, Hodges E, McCombie WR, Figueroa ME, Vakoc CR. SLC5A3-Dependent Myo-inositol Auxotrophy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:450-467. [PMID: 34531253 PMCID: PMC8831445 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
An enhanced requirement for nutrients is a hallmark property of cancer cells. Here, we optimized an in vivo genetic screening strategy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which led to the identification of the myo-inositol transporter SLC5A3 as a dependency in this disease. We demonstrate that SLC5A3 is essential to support a myo-inositol auxotrophy in AML. The commonality among SLC5A3-dependent AML lines is the transcriptional silencing of ISYNA1, which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme for myo-inositol biosynthesis, inositol-3-phosphate synthase 1. We use gain- and loss-of-function experiments to reveal a synthetic lethal genetic interaction between ISYNA1 and SLC5A3 in AML, which function redundantly to sustain intracellular myo-inositol. Transcriptional silencing and DNA hypermethylation of ISYNA1 occur in a recurrent manner in human AML patient samples, in association with IDH1/IDH2 and CEBPA mutations. Our findings reveal myo-inositol as a nutrient dependency in AML caused by the aberrant silencing of a biosynthetic enzyme. SIGNIFICANCE: We show how epigenetic silencing can provoke a nutrient dependency in AML by exploiting a synthetic lethality relationship between biosynthesis and transport of myo-inositol. Blocking the function of this solute carrier may have therapeutic potential in an epigenetically defined subset of AML.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 275.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiliang Wei
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Yu-Han Huang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | | | - Shruti V. Iyer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York.,Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Ana S.H. Costa
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Zhaolin Yang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Melissa Kramer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Emmalee R. Adelman
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Olaf Klingbeil
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | | | - Sofya A. Polyanskaya
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York.,School of Biological Sciences, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Kenneth Chang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Sara Goodwin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York
| | - Emily Hodges
- Department of Biochemistry and Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Maria E. Figueroa
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Christopher R. Vakoc
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York.,Corresponding Author: Christopher R. Vakoc, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724. Phone: 516-367-5030; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
SCP4-STK35/PDIK1L complex is a dual phospho-catalytic signaling dependency in acute myeloid leukemia. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110233. [PMID: 35021089 PMCID: PMC8796272 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110233] [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: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells rely on phospho-signaling pathways to gain unlimited proliferation potential. Here, we use domain-focused CRISPR screening and identify the nuclear phosphatase SCP4 as a dependency in AML, yet this enzyme is dispensable in normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. Using CRISPR exon scanning and gene complementation assays, we show that the catalytic function of SCP4 is essential in AML. Through mass spectrometry analysis of affinity-purified complexes, we identify the kinase paralogs STK35 and PDIK1L as binding partners and substrates of the SCP4 phosphatase domain. We show that STK35 and PDIK1L function catalytically and redundantly in the same pathway as SCP4 to maintain AML proliferation and to support amino acid biosynthesis and transport. We provide evidence that SCP4 regulates STK35/PDIK1L through two distinct mechanisms: catalytic removal of inhibitory phosphorylation and by promoting kinase stability. Our findings reveal a phosphatase-kinase signaling complex that supports the pathogenesis of AML.
Collapse
|
7
|
Chiarella E, Aloisio A, Scicchitano S, Todoerti K, Cosentino EG, Lico D, Neri A, Amodio N, Bond HM, Mesuraca M. ZNF521 Enhances MLL-AF9-Dependent Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transformation in Acute Myeloid Leukemias by Altering the Gene Expression Landscape. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910814. [PMID: 34639154 PMCID: PMC8509509 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemias derived from the MLL-AF9 rearrangement rely on dysfunctional transcriptional networks. ZNF521, a transcription co-factor implicated in the control of hematopoiesis, has been proposed to sustain leukemic transformation in collaboration with other oncogenes. Here, we demonstrate that ZNF521 mRNA levels correlate with specific genetic aberrations: in particular, the highest expression is observed in AMLs bearing MLL rearrangements, while the lowest is detected in AMLs with FLT3-ITD, NPM1, or CEBPα double mutations. In cord blood-derived CD34+ cells, enforced expression of ZNF521 provides a significant proliferative advantage and enhances MLL-AF9 effects on the induction of proliferation and the expansion of leukemic progenitor cells. Transcriptome analysis of primary CD34+ cultures displayed subsets of genes up-regulated by MLL-AF9 or ZNF521 single transgene overexpression as well as in MLL-AF9/ZNF521 combinations, at either the early or late time points of an in vitro leukemogenesis model. The silencing of ZNF521 in the MLL-AF9 + THP-1 cell line coherently results in an impairment of growth and clonogenicity, recapitulating the effects observed in primary cells. Taken together, these results underscore a role for ZNF521 in sustaining the self-renewal of the immature AML compartment, most likely through the perturbation of the gene expression landscape, which ultimately favors the expansion of MLL-AF9-transformed leukemic clones.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Apoptosis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/pathology
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/genetics
- Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/metabolism
- Nucleophosmin
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Prognosis
- Survival Rate
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Chiarella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (H.M.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Annamaria Aloisio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
| | - Stefania Scicchitano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
| | - Katia Todoerti
- Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (K.T.); (A.N.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela G. Cosentino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
- Exiris S.r.l., 00128 Roma, Italy
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Research Centre Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela Lico
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Antonino Neri
- Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (K.T.); (A.N.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Amodio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
| | - Heather Mandy Bond
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (H.M.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Maria Mesuraca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.A.); (S.S.); (E.G.C.); (N.A.)
- Correspondence: (E.C.); (H.M.B.); (M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Earnest KG, McConnell EM, Hassan EM, Wunderlich M, Hosseinpour B, Bono BS, Chee MJ, Mulloy JC, Willmore WG, DeRosa MC, Merino EJ. Development and characterization of a DNA aptamer for MLL-AF9 expressing acute myeloid leukemia cells using whole cell-SELEX. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19174. [PMID: 34580387 PMCID: PMC8476576 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98676-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Current classes of cancer therapeutics have negative side effects stemming from off-target cytotoxicity. One way to avoid this would be to use a drug delivery system decorated with targeting moieties, such as an aptamer, if a targeted aptamer is available. In this study, aptamers were selected against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells expressing the MLL-AF9 oncogene through systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Twelve rounds of SELEX, including two counter selections against fibroblast cells, were completed. Aptamer pools were sequenced, and three candidate sequences were identified. These sequences consisted of two 23-base primer regions flanking a 30-base central domain. Binding studies were performed using flow cytometry, and the lead sequence had a binding constant of 37.5 + / - 2.5 nM to AML cells, while displaying no binding to fibroblast or umbilical cord blood cells at 200 nM. A truncation study of the lead sequence was done using nine shortened sequences, and showed the 5' primer was not important for binding. The lead sequence was tested against seven AML patient cultures, and five cultures showed binding at 200 nM. In summary, a DNA aptamer specific to AML cells was developed and characterized for future drug-aptamer conjugates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaylin G Earnest
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Erin M McConnell
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Eman M Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Wunderlich
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Bianca S Bono
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa J Chee
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - James C Mulloy
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Maria C DeRosa
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Edward J Merino
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chiarella E, Codispoti B, Aloisio A, Cosentino EG, Scicchitano S, Montalcini Y, Lico D, Morrone G, Mesuraca M, Bond HM. Zoledronic acid inhibits the growth of leukemic MLL-AF9 transformed hematopoietic cells. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04020. [PMID: 32529062 PMCID: PMC7283156 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A leukemic in vitro model produced by transducing Cord Blood derived-hematopoietic CD34+ cells with the MLL-AF9 translocation resulting in the oncogenic fusion protein, is used to assess for sensitivity to Zoledronic acid. These cells are practically immortalized and are of myeloid origin. Proliferation, clonogenic and stromal co-culture assays showed that the MLL-AF9 cells were considerably more sensitive to Zoledronic acid than normal hematopoietic CD34+ cells or MS-5 stromal cells. The MLL-AF9 cells were notably more inhibited by Zoledronic acid when cultured as colonies in 3 dimensions, requiring cell-cell contacts compared to suspension expansion cultures. This is coherent with the mechanism of action of Zoledronic acid inhibiting farnesyl diphosphate synthase which results in a block in prenylation of GTPases such that their role in the membrane is compromised for cell-cell contacts. Zoledronic acid can be proposed to target the MLL-AF9 leukemic stem cells before they emerge from the hematopoietic niche, which being in proximity to bone osteoclasts where Zoledronic acid is sequestered can be predicted to result in sufficient levels to result in an anti-leukemic action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Chiarella
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Bruna Codispoti
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.,Tecnologica Research Institute-Marrelli Health, 88900 Crotone, Italy
| | - Annamaria Aloisio
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuela G Cosentino
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.,Exiris S.r.l., 00128 Roma, Italy
| | - Stefania Scicchitano
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ylenia Montalcini
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Daniela Lico
- Department of Obstetrics & Ginecology, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovanni Morrone
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Mesuraca
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Heather M Bond
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Dept. of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rotiroti MC, Buracchi C, Arcangeli S, Galimberti S, Valsecchi MG, Perriello VM, Rasko T, Alberti G, Magnani CF, Cappuzzello C, Lundberg F, Pande A, Dastoli G, Introna M, Serafini M, Biagi E, Izsvák Z, Biondi A, Tettamanti S. Targeting CD33 in Chemoresistant AML Patient-Derived Xenografts by CAR-CIK Cells Modified with an Improved SB Transposon System. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1974-1986. [PMID: 32526203 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The successful implementation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy in the clinical context of B cell malignancies has paved the way for further development in the more critical setting of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Among the potentially targetable AML antigens, CD33 is insofar one of the main validated molecules. Here, we describe the feasibility of engineering cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells with a CD33.CAR by using the latest optimized version of the non-viral Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system "SB100X-pT4." This offers the advantage of improving CAR expression on CIK cells, while reducing the amount of DNA transposase as compared to the previously employed "SB11-pT" version. SB-modified CD33.CAR-CIK cells exhibited significant antileukemic activity in vitro and in vivo in patient-derived AML xenograft models, reducing AML development when administered as an "early treatment" and delaying AML progression in mice with established disease. Notably, by exploiting an already optimized xenograft chemotherapy model that mimics human induction therapy in mice, we demonstrated for the first time that CD33.CAR-CIK cells are also effective toward chemotherapy resistant/residual AML cells, further supporting its future clinical development and implementation within the current standard regimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Caterina Rotiroti
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Buracchi
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Silvia Arcangeli
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Stefania Galimberti
- Center of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Valsecchi
- Center of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano - Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maria Perriello
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy; Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Tamas Rasko
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gaia Alberti
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Francesca Magnani
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Claudia Cappuzzello
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Felix Lundberg
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany; The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, BA2 7AY Bath, UK
| | - Amit Pande
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Dastoli
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Martino Introna
- Center of Cellular Therapy "G. Lanzani," USC Ematologia ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24124 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marta Serafini
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Ettore Biagi
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Biondi
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy.
| | - Sarah Tettamanti
- Tettamanti Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, 20900 Monza, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
MLL leukemia induction by t(9;11) chromosomal translocation in human hematopoietic stem cells using genome editing. Blood Adv 2019; 2:832-845. [PMID: 29650777 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017013748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome editing provides a potential approach to model de novo leukemogenesis in primary human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) through induction of chromosomal translocations by targeted DNA double-strand breaks. However, very low efficiency of translocations and lack of markers for translocated cells serve as barriers to their characterization and model development. Here, we used transcription activator-like effector nucleases to generate t(9;11) chromosomal translocations encoding MLL-AF9 and reciprocal AF9-MLL fusion products in CD34+ human cord blood cells. Selected cytokine combinations enabled monoclonal outgrowth and immortalization of initially rare translocated cells, which were distinguished by elevated MLL target gene expression, high surface CD9 expression, and increased colony-forming ability. Subsequent transplantation into immune-compromised mice induced myeloid leukemias within 48 weeks, whose pathologic and molecular features extensively overlap with de novo patient MLL-rearranged leukemias. No secondary pathogenic mutations were revealed by targeted exome sequencing and whole genome RNA-sequencing analyses, suggesting the genetic sufficiency of t(9;11) translocation for leukemia development from human HSPCs. Thus, genome editing enables modeling of human acute MLL-rearranged leukemia in vivo, reflecting the genetic simplicity of this disease, and provides an experimental platform for biological and disease-modeling applications.
Collapse
|
12
|
Goyama S, Schibler J, Mulloy JC. Alternative translation initiation generates the N-terminal truncated form of RUNX1 that retains hematopoietic activity. Exp Hematol 2019; 72:27-35. [PMID: 30690039 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor RUNX1 plays a crucial role in hematopoiesis and its activity is tightly regulated at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. However, translational control of RUNX1 expression has not been fully understood. In this study, we demonstrated that RUNX1b mRNA is translated from two alternative initiation sites, Met-1 and Met-25, giving full-length RUNX1b and a shorter protein lacking the first 24 amino acids (RUNX1ΔN24). Presence/absence of strong Kozak consensus sequences around Met-1 determines which initiation site is mainly used in RUNX1b cDNA. Selective disruption of either Met-1 or Met-25 abrogates expression of the corresponding protein while facilitating the production of another protein. The RUNX1b cDNA containing 65bp natural promoter sequences mainly produces full-length RUNX1b in human cord blood cells, but disruption of Met-1 in this cDNA also induced translation from Met-25. Consistent with these data, disruption of endogenous RUNX1b around Met-1 using CRISPR/Cas9 induced selective expression of RUNX1ΔΝ24 in several leukemia cell lines. RUNX1ΔN24 protein is more stable than full-length RUNX1b and retains hematopoietic activity. We also found that FLAG-tagged full-length RUNX1 showed altered activity, indicating the influence of N-terminal FLAG-tag on RUNX1 function. The alternative translation initiation of RUNX1b may participate in fine tuning RUNX1 activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Goyama
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Janet Schibler
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - James C Mulloy
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cabrera M, Echeverria E, Lenicov FR, Cardama G, Gonzalez N, Davio C, Fernández N, Menna PL. Pharmacological Rac1 inhibitors with selective apoptotic activity in human acute leukemic cell lines. Oncotarget 2017; 8:98509-98523. [PMID: 29228706 PMCID: PMC5716746 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rac1 GTPase has long been recognized as a critical regulatory protein in different cellular and molecular processes involved in cancer progression, including acute myeloid leukemia. Here we show the antitumoral activity of ZINC69391 and 1A-116, two chemically-related Rac1 pharmacological inhibitors, on a panel of four leukemic cell lines representing different levels of maturation. Importantly, we show that the main mechanism involved in the antitumoral effect triggered by the Rac1 inhibitors comprises the induction of the mitochondrial or intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Interestingly, Rac1 inhibition selectively induced apoptosis on patient-derived leukemia cells but not on normal mononuclear cells. These results show the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting Rac1 pathway in hematopoietic malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maia Cabrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica (ININFA-UBA CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emiliana Echeverria
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica (ININFA-UBA CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Remes Lenicov
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA, Facultad de Medicina, (INBIRS-UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Georgina Cardama
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nazareno Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Davio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica (ININFA-UBA CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Fernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica (ININFA-UBA CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lorenzano Menna
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Goyama S, Shrestha M, Schibler J, Rosenfeldt L, Miller W, O’Brien E, Mizukawa B, Kitamura T, Palumbo JS, Mulloy JC. Protease-activated receptor-1 inhibits proliferation but enhances leukemia stem cell activity in acute myeloid leukemia. Oncogene 2017; 36:2589-2598. [PMID: 27819671 PMCID: PMC5418093 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Revised: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Eradication of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) is the ultimate goal of treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We recently showed that the combined loss of Runx1/Cbfb inhibited the development of MLL-AF9-induced AML. However, c-Kit+/Gr-1- cells remained viable in Runx1/Cbfb-deleted cells, indicating that suppressing RUNX activity may not eradicate the most immature LSCs. In this study, we found upregulation of several hemostasis-related genes, including the thrombin-activatable receptor PAR-1 (protease-activated receptor-1), in Runx1/Cbfb-deleted MLL-AF9 cells. Similar to the effect of Runx1/Cbfb deletion, PAR-1 overexpression induced CDKN1A/p21 expression and attenuated proliferation in MLL-AF9 cells. To our surprise, PAR-1 deficiency also prevented leukemia development induced by a small number of MLL-AF9 leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in vivo. PAR-1 deficiency also reduced leukemogenicity of AML1-ETO-induced leukemia. Re-expression of PAR-1 in PAR-1-deficient cells combined with a limiting-dilution transplantation assay demonstrated the cell-dose-dependent role of PAR-1 in MLL-AF9 leukemia: PAR-1 inhibited rapid leukemic proliferation when there were a large number of LSCs, while a small number of LSCs required PAR-1 for their efficient growth. Mechanistically, PAR-1 increased the adherence properties of MLL-AF9 cells and promoted their engraftment to bone marrow. Taken together, these data revealed a multifaceted role for PAR-1 in leukemogenesis, and highlight this receptor as a potential target to eradicate primitive LSCs in AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Goyama
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The
University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Shrestha
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - J Schibler
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - L Rosenfeldt
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - W Miller
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - E O’Brien
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - B Mizukawa
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - T Kitamura
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The
University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - JS Palumbo
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - JC Mulloy
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine,
Cincinnati, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Goyama S, Schibler J, Gasilina A, Shrestha M, Lin S, Link KA, Chen J, Whitman SP, Bloomfield CD, Nicolet D, Assi SA, Ptasinska A, Heidenreich O, Bonifer C, Kitamura T, Nassar NN, Mulloy JC. UBASH3B/Sts-1-CBL axis regulates myeloid proliferation in human preleukemia induced by AML1-ETO. Leukemia 2015; 30:728-39. [PMID: 26449661 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The t(8;21) rearrangement, which creates the AML1-ETO fusion protein, represents the most common chromosomal translocation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Clinical data suggest that CBL mutations are a frequent event in t(8;21) AML, but the role of CBL in AML1-ETO-induced leukemia has not been investigated. In this study, we demonstrate that CBL mutations collaborate with AML1-ETO to expand human CD34+ cells both in vitro and in a xenograft model. CBL depletion by shRNA also promotes the growth of AML1-ETO cells, demonstrating the inhibitory function of endogenous CBL in t(8;21) AML. Mechanistically, loss of CBL function confers hyper-responsiveness to thrombopoietin and enhances STAT5/AKT/ERK/Src signaling in AML1-ETO cells. Interestingly, we found the protein tyrosine phosphatase UBASH3B/Sts-1, which is known to inhibit CBL function, is upregulated by AML1-ETO through transcriptional and miR-9-mediated regulation. UBASH3B/Sts-1 depletion induces an aberrant pattern of CBL phosphorylation and impairs proliferation in AML1-ETO cells. The growth inhibition caused by UBASH3B/Sts-1 depletion can be rescued by ectopic expression of CBL mutants, suggesting that UBASH3B/Sts-1 supports the growth of AML1-ETO cells partly through modulation of CBL function. Our study reveals a role of CBL in restricting myeloid proliferation of human AML1-ETO-induced leukemia, and identifies UBASH3B/Sts-1 as a potential target for pharmaceutical intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Goyama
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - J Schibler
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - A Gasilina
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - M Shrestha
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - S Lin
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - K A Link
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - J Chen
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - S P Whitman
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - C D Bloomfield
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - D Nicolet
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA.,Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology Statistics and Data Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - S A Assi
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - A Ptasinska
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - O Heidenreich
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - C Bonifer
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - T Kitamura
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - N N Nassar
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - J C Mulloy
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bopp A, Wartlick F, Henninger C, Schwarz M, Kaina B, Fritz G. Rac1 promotes diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced formation of liver tumors. Carcinogenesis 2015; 36:378-89. [PMID: 25556150 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
To elucidate the function of the Ras-homologous GTPase Rac1 in hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN), mice lacking hepatic Rac1 expression were treated with DEN and compared to the wild-type (WT). Rac1 knock-out (KO) mice were found to have a lower tumor yield as compared to Rac1 proficient mice. The small-sized tumors formed in the absence of Rac1 lack an activated Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, as indicated by the absence of p-ERK expression. Apparently, Rac1 is required for Ras-driven oncogenic pathways. Moreover, tumors in Rac1 deficient mice were glutamine synthase (GS) negative. They displayed a high number of p-H3-positive and cyclinB1 expressing cells, pointing to a defect in mitotic progression. To elucidate the influence of Rac1 on mechanisms of tumor initiation, acute DEN-induced hepatic stress responses were monitored. Rac1 deficiency caused fairly complex, partially time-dependent, alterations in both basal and/or DEN-induced messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of susceptibility-related genes. Basal protein expression of DNA repair factors Brca1 and DNA repair protein RAD51 homolog (Rad51) and the cell cycle regulatory factor p27 was enhanced in the absence of Rac1. Following DEN treatment, p21 mRNA and protein expression was stimulated independent of the Rac1 status. Lack of Rac1 increased mechanisms of the DNA damage response (DDR), as shown by elevated protein levels of p-ATR, p-p53 and γH2AX 24h after DEN treatment. The data show that Rac1 is essential for DEN-stimulated hepatocarcinogenesis. We hypothesize that it promotes tumor initiation by counteracting the elimination of initiated cells and, moreover, alleviates the outgrowth of transformed cells. Hence, pharmacological targeting of Rac1 could be suitable for chemoprevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Bopp
- Institute of Toxicology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Friedrich Wartlick
- Institute of Toxicology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christian Henninger
- Institute of Toxicology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Schwarz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 76, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Kaina
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany and
| | - Gerhard Fritz
- Institute of Toxicology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Velu CS, Chaubey A, Phelan JD, Horman SR, Wunderlich M, Guzman ML, Jegga AG, Zeleznik-Le NJ, Chen J, Mulloy JC, Cancelas JA, Jordan CT, Aronow BJ, Marcucci G, Bhat B, Gebelein B, Grimes HL. Therapeutic antagonists of microRNAs deplete leukemia-initiating cell activity. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:222-36. [PMID: 24334453 PMCID: PMC3871218 DOI: 10.1172/jci66005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) subtypes that result from oncogenic activation of homeobox (HOX) transcription factors are associated with poor prognosis. The HOXA9 transcription activator and growth factor independent 1 (GFI1) transcriptional repressor compete for occupancy at DNA-binding sites for the regulation of common target genes. We exploited this HOXA9 versus GFI1 antagonism to identify the genes encoding microRNA-21 and microRNA-196b as transcriptional targets of HOX-based leukemia oncoproteins. Therapeutic inhibition of microRNA-21 and microRNA-196b inhibited in vitro leukemic colony forming activity and depleted in vivo leukemia-initiating cell activity of HOX-based leukemias, which led to leukemia-free survival in a murine AML model and delayed disease onset in xenograft models. These data establish microRNA as functional effectors of endogenous HOXA9 and HOX-based leukemia oncoproteins, provide a concise in vivo platform to test RNA therapeutics, and suggest therapeutic value for microRNA antagonists in AML.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Base Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Cytarabine/administration & dosage
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Doxorubicin/administration & dosage
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- Induction Chemotherapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/physiology
- Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides/genetics
- Pre-B-Cell Leukemia Transcription Factor 1
- Protein Binding
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcriptome
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chinavenmeni S. Velu
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Aditya Chaubey
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - James D. Phelan
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Shane R. Horman
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Mark Wunderlich
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Monica L. Guzman
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Anil G. Jegga
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Nancy J. Zeleznik-Le
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - James C. Mulloy
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jose A. Cancelas
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Craig T. Jordan
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bruce J. Aronow
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Guido Marcucci
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Balkrishen Bhat
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - H. Leighton Grimes
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Goyama S, Schibler J, Cunningham L, Zhang Y, Rao Y, Nishimoto N, Nakagawa M, Olsson A, Wunderlich M, Link KA, Mizukawa B, Grimes HL, Kurokawa M, Liu PP, Huang G, Mulloy JC. Transcription factor RUNX1 promotes survival of acute myeloid leukemia cells. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:3876-88. [PMID: 23979164 DOI: 10.1172/jci68557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RUNX1 is generally considered a tumor suppressor in myeloid neoplasms. Inactivating RUNX1 mutations have frequently been found in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, no somatic RUNX1 alteration was found in AMLs with leukemogenic fusion proteins, such as core-binding factor (CBF) leukemia and MLL fusion leukemia, raising the possibility that RUNX1 could actually promote the growth of these leukemia cells. Using normal human cord blood cells and those expressing leukemogenic fusion proteins, we discovered a dual role of RUNX1 in myeloid leukemogenesis. RUNX1 overexpression inhibited the growth of normal cord blood cells by inducing myeloid differentiation, whereas a certain level of RUNX1 activity was required for the growth of AML1-ETO and MLL-AF9 cells. Using a mouse genetic model, we also showed that the combined loss of Runx1/Cbfb inhibited leukemia development induced by MLL-AF9. RUNX2 could compensate for the loss of RUNX1. The survival effect of RUNX1 was mediated by BCL2 in MLL fusion leukemia. Our study unveiled an unexpected prosurvival role for RUNX1 in myeloid leukemogenesis. Inhibiting RUNX1 activity rather than enhancing it could be a promising therapeutic strategy for AMLs with leukemogenic fusion proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Goyama
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
The rate of spontaneous mutations in human myeloid cells. Mutat Res 2013; 749:49-57. [PMID: 23748046 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The mutation rate (μ) is likely to be a key parameter in leukemogenesis, but historically, it has been difficult to measure in humans. The PIG-A gene has some advantages for the detection of spontaneous mutations because it is X-linked, and therefore only one mutation is required to disrupt its function. Furthermore, the PIG-A-null phenotype is readily detected by flow cytometry. Using PIG-A, we have now provided the first in vitro measurement of μ in myeloid cells, using cultures of CD34+ cells that are transduced with either the AML-ETO or the MLL-AF9 fusion genes and expanded with cytokines. For the AML-ETO cultures, the median μ value was ∼9.4×10(-7) (range ∼3.6-23×10(-7)) per cell division. In contrast, few spontaneous mutations were observed in the MLL-AF9 cultures. Knockdown of p53 or introduction of mutant NRAS or FLT3 alleles did not have much of an effect on μ. Based on these data, we provide a model to predict whether hypermutability must occur in the process of leukemogenesis.
Collapse
|
20
|
Hinterleitner C, Huelsenbeck J, Henninger C, Wartlick F, Schorr A, Kaina B, Fritz G. Rac1 signaling protects monocytic AML cells expressing the MLL-AF9 oncogene from caspase-mediated apoptotic death. Apoptosis 2013; 18:963-79. [DOI: 10.1007/s10495-013-0842-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
21
|
Bopp A, Wartlick F, Henninger C, Kaina B, Fritz G. Rac1 modulates acute and subacute genotoxin-induced hepatic stress responses, fibrosis and liver aging. Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e558. [PMID: 23519127 PMCID: PMC3613835 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the importance of the Ras-homologous GTPase Rac1 for the hepatic response to genotoxic insults and liver aging, rac1 was deleted in liver of mice by Mx1-Cre-based recombination. Knockout of rac1 caused complex changes in basal as well as doxorubicin and ionizing radiation-induced mRNA expression of various genotoxic stress response-related genes, including hspa1b, rad51, wrn and xpc. Rac1 deletion protected the liver from acute toxicity following doxorubicin treatment. Moreover, the level of S139 phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX), which is indicative of DNA damage, and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory (IL-6) and pro-fibrotic (CTGF, TGFβ, αSMA) factors were mitigated in rac1 knockout animals. By contrast, lack of rac1 promoted subacute hepatotoxicity, which was determined 3 weeks after injection of multiple low doses of doxorubicin by assaying the γH2AX level, mitotic index and pro-fibrotic gene expression. Regarding ionizing radiation, rac1 deficiency had no major effects on DNA damage induction or acute pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic stress responses. Mice lacking hepatic rac1 for extended period of time (15 months) revealed increased mRNA expression of fibrosis-related factors (CTGF, TGFβ, collagen, MMP1) and fibrotic tissue remodeling. In addition, protein expression of the senescence marker p16 was enhanced in the absence of rac1. Taken together, the data provide evidence that Rac1 is required for doxorubicin-induced DNA damage induction. It is also involved in both the acute and delayed inflammatory and fibrotic stress response in the liver following doxorubicin, but not ionizing radiation, treatment and, furthermore, protects against endogenous liver aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Bopp
- Department of Toxicology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
As acute myeloid leukemia (AML) xenograft models improve, the potential for using them to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies becomes more appealing. Currently, there is little information on using standard chemotherapy regimens in AML xenografts. Here we have characterized the immunodeficient mouse response to combined Ara-C (cytarabine) and doxorubicin treatment. We observed significant toxicity associated with doxorubicin that required optimization of the route of injection as well as the maximum-tolerated dose for immunodeficient strains. Mice treated with an optimized 5-day induction protocol showed transient weight loss, short-term reduction of peripheral blood cell and platelet counts, and slight anemia. Considerable cytotoxicity was observed in the bone marrow (BM), with primitive LSK cells having a significant survival advantage relative to more mature cells, consistent with the idea of chemotherapy targeting actively growing cells. Treated leukemic mice demonstrated reduced disease burden and increased survival, demonstrating efficacy. AML cells showed significantly increased sensitivity to doxorubicin-containing therapy compared with murine BM cells. Although early treatment could result in some cures, mice with significant leukemia grafts were not cured by using induction therapy alone. Overall, the data show that this model system is useful for the evaluation of novel chemotherapies in combination with standard induction therapy.
Collapse
|
23
|
Goyama S, Mulloy JC. Molecular pathogenesis of core binding factor leukemia: current knowledge and future prospects. Int J Hematol 2011; 94:126-133. [PMID: 21537931 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-011-0858-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Revised: 03/24/2011] [Accepted: 04/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Core binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common cytogenetic subtype of AML, defined by the presence of t(8;21) or inv(16)/t(16;16). The chromosomal aberrations create AML1-ETO and CBFβ-MYH11 fusion genes that disrupt the functions of CBF, an essential transcription factor in hematopoiesis. Despite the relatively good outcome of patients with CBF-AML, only approximately half of the patients are cured with current therapy, indicating the need for improved therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding altered transcriptional regulation, aberrant signaling pathways, and cooperating genetic events in CBF leukemia, and discuss challenges ahead for translating these findings into the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Goyama
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - James C Mulloy
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Model systems for examining effects of leukemia-associated oncogenes in primary human CD34+ cells via retroviral transduction. Methods Mol Biol 2009; 538:263-85. [PMID: 19277588 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-418-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The use of primary human cells to model cancer initiation and progression is now within the grasp of investigators. It has been nearly a decade since the first defined genetic elements were introduced into primary human epithelial and fibroblast cells to model oncogenesis. This approach has now been extended to the hematopoietic system, with the first described experimental transformation of primary human hematopoietic cells. Human cell model systems will lead to a better understanding of the species and cell type specific signals necessary for oncogenic initiation and progression, and will allow investigators to interrogate the cancer stem cell hypothesis using a well-defined hierarchical system that has been studied for decades. The molecular and biochemical link between self-renewal and differentiation can now be experimentally approached using primary human cells. In addition, the models that result from these experiments are likely to generate highly relevant systems for use in identification and validation of potential therapeutic targets as well as testing of small molecule therapeutics. We describe here the methodologies and reagents that are used to examine the effects of leukemia fusion protein expression on primary human hematopoietic cells, both in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
|