Genome-wide binding of transcription factors in inv(16) acute myeloid leukemia

The inv(16) translocation is associated with 5% of AML cases and gives rise to expression of the oncofusion protein CBFβ-MYH11. Although different molecular mechanisms for the oncogenic activity of this fusion protein have been proposed these were mostly based on in vitro experiments or single loci analysis. Recently, we investigated the genome-wide action of this fusion protein in the context of other hematopoietic transcription factors (Mandoli et al., 2014). Here, we describe in detail the ChIP-seq and RNA-seq methods used to generate the data associated with this study. Our analysis of CBFβ-MYH11 as well as multiple other hematopoietic transcription factors using ChIP-seq data revealed RUNX1 dependent binding of CBFβ-MYH11 as well as interaction of the RUNX1/CBFβ-MYH11 complex with other hematopoietic regulators. Further RNA-seq based analysis suggested that CBFβ-MYH11 can act both as activator and repressor.

CBFB-MYH11/RUNX1 together with a compendium of hematopoietic regulators, chromatin modifiers and basal transcription factors occupies self-renewal genes in inv(16) acute myeloid leukemia

Different mechanisms for CBFβ-MYH11 function in acute myeloid leukemia with inv(16) have been proposed such as tethering of RUNX1 outside the nucleus, interference with transcription factor complex assembly and recruitment of histone deacetylases, all resulting in transcriptional repression of RUNX1 target genes. Here, through genome-wide CBFβ-MYH11-binding site analysis and quantitative interaction proteomics, we found that CBFβ-MYH11 localizes to RUNX1 occupied promoters, where it interacts with TAL1, FLI1 and TBP-associated factors (TAFs) in the context of the hematopoietic transcription factors ERG, GATA2 and PU.1/SPI1 and the coregulators EP300 and HDAC1. Transcriptional analysis revealed that upon fusion protein knockdown, a small subset of the CBFβ-MYH11 target genes show increased expression, confirming a role in transcriptional repression. However, the majority of CBFβ-MYH11 target genes, including genes implicated in hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal such as ID1, LMO1 and JAG1, are actively transcribed and repressed upon fusion protein knockdown. Together these results suggest an essential role for CBFβ-MYH11 in regulating the expression of genes involved in maintaining a stem cell phenotype.

Cranio-cervical necrotizing fascitiis: case report and review of the literature

Necrotising fascitiis is a rapidly progressive bacterial infection of the soft tissues and generally attacks the walls of the abdomen, the perineum, the limbs or, to a lesser degree, the cranio-cervical area. In the latter region, the infection involves the soft tissues of the neck, in a more or less extensive manner, and causes diffuse necrosis. Crepitation, areas with linear infiltration and others with fluctuation are detected on manual examination. Systemic symptoms such as fever, tachycardia, tachypnoea and signs of septic shock are always present, at least during the more advanced stages of the disease. Computed tomography may prove fundamental since it reveals an increase in the thickness and degree of impregnation of the cervical soft tissues, as well as the presence of liquid or gaseous infiltration in the thoracic areas, especially in cases of mediastinitis. Personal experience in a case is described which led to a review of the literature. The best approach in the management of this devastating condition is early diagnosis, adequate antibiotic treatment and radical surgical procedures, which may often need to be repeated several times.

Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo

The efficacy and tolerability of Serratia peptidase were evaluated in a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 193 subjects suffering from acute or chronic ear, nose or throat disorders. Treatment lasted 7-8 days, with the drug or placebo being administered at a rate of two tablets three times a day. After 3-4 days' treatment, significant symptom regression was observed in peptidase-treated patients. There was also a significant reduction in symptoms after 7-8 days for patients in both treatment groups but the response was more marked in those patients receiving the active drug. Statistical comparison between the two groups confirmed the greater efficacy and rapid action of the peptidase against all the symptoms examined at both stages. Tolerance was found to be very good and similar for both groups. It is concluded that Serratia peptidase has anti-inflammatory, anti-oedemic and fibrinolytic activity and acts rapidly on localized inflammation.