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Mazzera L, Abeltino M, Lombardi G, Cantoni AM, Jottini S, Corradi A, Ricca M, Rossetti E, Armando F, Peli A, Ferrari A, Martinelli G, Scupoli MT, Visco C, Bonifacio M, Ripamonti A, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Bonati A, Perris R, Lunghi P. MEK1/2 regulate normal BCR and ABL1 tumor-suppressor functions to dictate ATO response in TKI-resistant Ph+ leukemia. Leukemia 2023; 37:1671-1685. [PMID: 37386079 PMCID: PMC10400427 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01940-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remains a clinical challenge in Ph-positive variants of chronic myeloid leukemia. We provide mechanistic insights into a previously undisclosed MEK1/2/BCR::ABL1/BCR/ABL1-driven signaling loop that may determine the efficacy of arsenic trioxide (ATO) in TKI-resistant leukemic patients. We find that activated MEK1/2 assemble into a pentameric complex with BCR::ABL1, BCR and ABL1 to induce phosphorylation of BCR and BCR::ABL1 at Tyr360 and Tyr177, and ABL1, at Thr735 and Tyr412 residues thus provoking loss of BCR's tumor-suppression functions, enhanced oncogenic activity of BCR::ABL1, cytoplasmic retention of ABL1 and consequently drug resistance. Coherently, pharmacological blockade of MEK1/2 induces dissociation of the pentameric MEK1/2/BCR::ABL1/BCR/ABL1 complex and causes a concurrent BCRY360/Y177, BCR::ABL1Y360/Y177 and cytoplasmic ABL1Y412/T735 dephosphorylation thereby provoking the rescue of the BCR's anti-oncogenic activities, nuclear accumulation of ABL1 with tumor-suppressive functions and consequently, growth inhibition of the leukemic cells and an ATO sensitization via BCR-MYC and ABL1-p73 signaling axes activation. Additionally, the allosteric activation of nuclear ABL1 was consistently found to enhance the anti-leukemic effects of the MEK1/2 inhibitor Mirdametinib, which when combined with ATO, significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing BCR::ABL1-T315I-induced leukemia. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of MEK1/2-inhibitors/ATO combination for the treatment of TKI-resistant leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mazzera
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Manuela Abeltino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Guerino Lombardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Jottini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Attilio Corradi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Micaela Ricca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Rossetti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- National Healthcare Service (SSN-Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) ASL Piacenza, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Federico Armando
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Angelo Peli
- Department for Life Quality Studies Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Ferrari
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, FC, Italy
- Institute of Hematology "L. e A. Seragnoli", Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Scupoli
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Carlo Visco
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, Section of Hematology-University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bonifacio
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, Section of Hematology-University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessia Ripamonti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Adult Hematology, IRCCS San Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Adult Hematology, IRCCS San Gerardo, Monza, Italy
| | - Antonio Bonati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberto Perris
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology-COMT, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Paolo Lunghi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
- Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology-COMT, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Mazzera L, Abeltino M, Lombardi G, Cantoni AM, Ria R, Ricca M, Saltarella I, Naponelli V, Rizzi FMA, Perris R, Corradi A, Vacca A, Bonati A, Lunghi P. Functional interplay between NF-κB-inducing kinase and c-Abl kinases limits response to Aurora inhibitors in multiple myeloma. Haematologica 2019; 104:2465-2481. [PMID: 30948493 PMCID: PMC6959191 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.208280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering that Aurora kinase inhibitors are currently under clinical investigation in hematologic cancers, the identification of molecular events that limit the response to such agents is essential for enhancing clinical outcomes. Here, we discover a NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK)-c-Abl-STAT3 signaling-centered feedback loop that restrains the efficacy of Aurora inhibitors in multiple myeloma. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Aurora inhibition promotes NIK protein stabilization via downregulation of its negative regulator TRAF2. Accumulated NIK converts c-Abl tyrosine kinase from a nuclear proapoptotic into a cytoplasmic antiapoptotic effector by inducing its phosphorylation at Thr735, Tyr245 and Tyr412 residues, and, by entering into a trimeric complex formation with c-Abl and STAT3, increases both the transcriptional activity of STAT3 and expression of the antiapoptotic STAT3 target genes PIM1 and PIM2. This consequently promotes cell survival and limits the response to Aurora inhibition. The functional disruption of any of the components of the trimer NIK-c-Abl-STAT3 or the PIM survival kinases consistently enhances the responsiveness of myeloma cells to Aurora inhibitors. Importantly, concurrent inhibition of NIK or c-Abl disrupts Aurora inhibitor-induced feedback activation of STAT3 and sensitizes myeloma cells to Aurora inhibitors, implicating a combined inhibition of Aurora and NIK or c-Abl kinases as potential therapies for multiple myeloma. Accordingly, pharmacological inhibition of c-Abl together with Aurora resulted in substantial cell death and tumor regression in vivo The findings reveal an important functional interaction between NIK, Abl and Aurora kinases, and identify the NIK, c-Abl and PIM survival kinases as potential pharmacological targets for improving the efficacy of Aurora inhibitors in myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mazzera
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini," Brescia
| | | | - Guerino Lombardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini," Brescia
| | | | - Roberto Ria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Bari
| | - Micaela Ricca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini," Brescia
| | - Ilaria Saltarella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Bari
| | | | - Federica Maria Angela Rizzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma
- Center for Molecular and Translational Oncology, University of Parma, Parma
| | - Roberto Perris
- Center for Molecular and Translational Oncology, University of Parma, Parma
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Attilio Corradi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma
| | - Angelo Vacca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" Medical School, Bari
| | - Antonio Bonati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma
- Center for Molecular and Translational Oncology, University of Parma, Parma
| | - Paolo Lunghi
- Center for Molecular and Translational Oncology, University of Parma, Parma
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Lunghi P, Costanzo A, Mazzera L, Rizzoli V, Levrero M, Bonati A. The p53 family protein p73 provides new insights into cancer chemosensitivity and targeting. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:6495-502. [PMID: 19861456 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-1229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The p53 tumor suppressor is part of a small family of related proteins that includes two other members, p73 and p63. Interest in the p53 family members, their functions and their complex interactions and regulation, has steadily grown over recent years and does not show signs of waning. p73 is a major determinant of chemosensitivity in humans, and mutant p53 proteins carrying specific polymorphisms can induce drug resistance by inhibiting TAp73. Cooperation between TA (transactivating, proapoptotic, antiproliferative) and Delta N (truncated, antiapoptotic, pro-proliferative) p73 isoforms and among the three family members guarantees equilibrium between proliferation, differentiation, and cell death, thus creating a harmony that is lost in several human cancers. In this article, we review our current knowledge of the role of p73 in cancer chemosensitivity and the real prospect of therapy targeting this molecule. We also draw attention to the crucial role of specific phosphorylation and acetylation events for p73-induced apoptosis and drug chemosensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Lunghi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Colla S, Tagliaferri S, Morandi F, Lunghi P, Donofrio G, Martorana D, Mancini C, Lazzaretti M, Mazzera L, Ravanetti L, Bonomini S, Ferrari L, Miranda C, Ladetto M, Neri TM, Neri A, Greco A, Mangoni M, Bonati A, Rizzoli V, Giuliani N. The new tumor-suppressor gene inhibitor of growth family member 4 (ING4) regulates the production of proangiogenic molecules by myeloma cells and suppresses hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) activity: involvement in myeloma-induced angiogenesis. Blood 2007; 110:4464-75. [PMID: 17848618 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2007-02-074617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis has a critical role in the pathophysiology of multiple myeloma (MM); however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are not completely elucidated. The new tumor-suppressor gene inhibitor of growth family member 4 (ING4) has been recently implicated in solid tumors as a repressor of angiogenesis. In this study, we found that ING4 expression in MM cells was correlated with the expression of the proangiogenic molecules interleukin-8 (IL-8) and osteopontin (OPN). Moreover, we demonstrate that ING4 suppression in MM cells up-regulated IL-8 and OPN, increasing the hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) activity and its target gene NIP-3 expression in hypoxic condition. In turn, we show that the inhibition of HIF-1alpha by siRNA suppressed IL-8 and OPN production by MM cells under hypoxia. A direct interaction between ING4 and the HIF prolyl hydroxylase 2 (HPH-2) was also demonstrated. Finally, we show that ING4 suppression in MM cells significantly increased vessel formation in vitro, blunted by blocking IL-8 or OPN. These in vitro observations were confirmed in vivo by finding that MM patients with high IL-8 production and microvascular density (MVD) have significantly lower ING4 levels compared with those with low IL-8 and MVD. Our data indicate that ING4 exerts an inhibitory effect on the production of proangiogenic molecules and consequently on MM-induced angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Colla
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Lunghi P, Costanzo A, Salvatore L, Noguera N, Mazzera L, Tabilio A, Lo-Coco F, Levrero M, Bonati A. MEK1 inhibition sensitizes primary acute myelogenous leukemia to arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis. Blood 2006; 107:4549-53. [PMID: 16467208 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-07-2829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We found that MEK1 inhibitor PD184352 strikingly increased apoptosis induced by arsenic trioxide (ATO) in 21 of 25 patients with primary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Isobologram analysis confirmed the synergistic (13 of 25 patients) or additive (8 of 25 patients) nature of this interaction. Moreover, we demonstrated that the p53-related gene p73 is a molecular target of the combined treatment in AML blasts. Indeed, ATO modulates the expression of the p73 gene by inducing the proapoptotic and antiproliferative TAp73 and the antiapoptotic and proproliferative DeltaNp73 isoforms, thereby failing to elevate the TA/DeltaNp73 ratio. Conversely, treatment with PD184352 reduces the level of DeltaNp73 and blunts the arsenic-mediated up-regulation of DeltaNp73, thus causing an increase in the TA/DeltaNp73 ratio of dual-treated cells. High doses of ATO induced p53 accumulation in 11 of 21 patients. Combined treatment resulted in the induction of the proapoptotic p53/p73 target gene p53AIP1 (p53-regulated apoptosis-inducing protein 1) and greatly enhanced the apoptosis of treated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Lunghi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Hemato-Oncology, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43100 Parma, Italy
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