scholarly journals High Mobility Group A1 Chromatin Regulators: Key Epigenetic Switches and Therapeutic Targets Required for Leukemic Transformation in JAK2 Mutant MPN

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1680-1680
Author(s):  
Liping Li ◽  
Wenyan Lu ◽  
Alison R. Moliterno ◽  
Lingling Xian ◽  
Joseph Kim ◽  
...  

Introduction: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) disorders characterized by hyperactive JAK/STAT signaling and increased risk of transformation to myelofibrosis (MF) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, mechanisms driving progression remain elusive and therapies are ineffective after leukemia develops. The High Mobility Group A1/2 (HMGA1/2) genes encode oncogenic chromatin remodeling proteins which are overexpressed in aggressive solid tumors where they portend adverse outcomes. HMGA1/2 genes are also up-regulated in hematologic malignancies and MPN with disease progression. In murine models, Hmga1/2 overexpression drives clonal expansion and deregulated proliferation while Hmga1 overexpression is sufficient for lymphoid leukemic transformation. We therefore sought to: 1) test the hypothesis that HMGA1/2 proteins are rational therapeutic targets required for leukemic transformation in MPN, 2) elucidate mechanisms mediated by HMGA1/2 during disease progression, and, 3) identify therapeutic approaches to disrupt HMGA function and intercept the transition from chronic disease to aggressive leukemia. Methods: We compared HMGA1/2 in JAK2V617F mutant AML cell lines from MPN patients (DAMI, SET-2), CD34+ cells from PV patients during chronic and transformation phases, and JAK2V617F murine models of PV (transgenic JAK2V617F) and PV-AML (transgenic JAK2V617F/MPLSV). To elucidate HMGA1/2 function, we silenced HMGA1 or HMGA2 via short hairpin RNA in human MPN-AML cells and generated murine models of PV-AML with heterozygous Hmga1 or Hmga2 deficiency. To dissect molecular mechanisms underlying HMGA, we compared RNA-Seq from MPN-AML cell lines after gene silencing. Finally, to identify therapies to target HMGA pathways, we integrated the RNA-Seq data with the Broad Connectivity Map (cMAP). Results: There is a marked up-regulation in HMGA1/2 in CD34+ cells from PV patients after transformation to AML and in leukemic blasts from our PV-AML mouse model. Conversely, silencing HMGA1 or HMGA2 in human MPN-AML cell lines (DAMI, SET-2) dramatically halts proliferation, disrupts clonogenicity, and prevents leukemia development in mice. Further, heterozygous Hmga1 deficiency prolongs survival in the transgenic PV-AML murine model with fulminant leukemia and early mortality, although Hmga2 deficiency has no effect. RNA-Seq analyses from human MPN-AML cell lines revealed that HMGA1 up-regulates transcriptional networks involved in cell cycle progressions (E2F targets, mitotic spindle, G2M checkpoint, MYC targets) while repressing immune pathways (inflammation, interferon gamma) and oxidative phosphorylation. HMGA2 up-regulates similar pathways, but represses TNFalpha signaling. cMAP identified inhibitors of histone deacetylation and cell cycle progression as potential agents to target HMGA1 pathways; DNA synthesis inhibitors were predicted to target HMGA2 pathways. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrate that epigenetic therapy with HDAC inhibitors synergizes with Ruxolitinib in JAK2 mutant MPN cells after transformation to leukemia. Conclusions: HMGA1/2 genes are overexpressed in MPN with highest levels after leukemic transformation. Further, silencing HMGA1/2 disrupts leukemogenic phenotypes in vitro and prevents the development of leukemia in mice. In addition, heterozygous deficiency of Hmga1 prolongs survival in a fulminant MPN-AML model. Mechanistically, RNA-Seq analyses revealed that HMGA amplifies transcriptional networks involved cell cycle progression, which can be targeted with epigenetic therapies. Our findings further underscore the key role for HMGA as an epigenetic switch required for leukemic transformation in MPN and opens the door to novel therapeutic approaches to intercept the transition from chronic indolent disease to aggressive leukemia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 3946-3946
Author(s):  
Liping Li ◽  
Katharina Hayer ◽  
Lingling Xian ◽  
Li Luo ◽  
Leslie Cope ◽  
...  

Introduction: Acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common form of childhood leukemia and the leading cause of death in children with cancer. While therapy is often curative, about 10-15% of children will relapse with recurrent disease and abysmal outcomes. Actionable mechanisms that mediate relapse remain largely unknown. The gene encoding the High Mobility Group A1(HMGA1) chromatin regulator is overexpressed in diverse malignancies where high levels portend poor outcomes. In murine models, we discovered thatHmga1 overexpression is sufficient for clonal expansion and progression to aggressive acute lymphoid leukemia (Cancer Res 2008,68:10121, 2018,78:1890; Nature Comm 2017,8:15008). Further, HMGA1 is overexpressed in pediatric B-ALL (pB-ALL) blasts with highest levels in children who relapse early compared to those who achieve chronic remissions. Together, these findings suggest that HMGA1 is required for leukemogenesis and may foster relapse in B-ALL. We therefore sought to: 1) test the hypothesis that HMGA1 is a key epigenetic regulator required for leukemogenesis and relapse in pB-ALL, and, 2) elucidate targetable mechanisms mediated by HMGA1 in leukemogenesis. Methods: We silenced HMGA1 via lentiviral delivery of short hairpin RNAs targeting 2 different sequences in cell lines derived from relapsed pB-ALL (REH, 697). REH cells harbor the TEL-AML1 fusion; 697 cells express BCL2, BCL3, and cMYC. Next, we assessed leukemogenic phenotypes in vitro (proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and clonogenicity) and leukemogenesis invivo. To dissect molecular mechanisms underlying HMGA1, we performed RNA-Seq and applied in silico pathway analysis. Results: There is abundant HMGA1 mRNA and protein in both pB-ALL cell lines and HMGA1 was effectively silenced by short hairpin RNA. Further, silencing HMGA1 dramatically halts proliferation in both cell lines, leading to a decrease in cells in S phase with a concurrent increase in G0/S1. Apoptosis also increased by 5-10% after HMGA1 silencing based on flow cytometry for Annexin V. In colony forming assays, silencing HMGA1 impaired clonogenicity in both pB-ALL cell lines. To assess HMGA1 function in leukemogenesis in vivo, we implanted control pB-ALL cells (transduced with control lentivirus) or those with HMGA1 silencing via tail vein injection into immunosuppressed mice (NOD/SCID/IL2 receptor γ). All mice receiving control REH cells succumbed to leukemia with a median survival of only 29 days. At the time of death, mice had marked splenomegaly along with leukemic cells circulating in the peripheral blood and infiltrating both the spleen and bone marrow. In contrast, mice injected with REH cells with HMGA1 silencing survived for >40 days (P<0.001) and had a significant decrease in tumor burden in the peripheral blood, spleen, and bone marrow. Similar results were obtained with 697 cells, although this model was more fulminant with control mice surviving for a median of only 17 days. To determine whether the leukemic blasts found in mice injected with ALL cells after HMGA1 silencing represented a clone that expanded because it escaped HMGA1 silencing, we assessed HMGA1 levels and found that cells capable of establishing leukemia had high HMGA1 expression, with levels similar to those observed in control cells without HMGA1 silencing. RNA-Seq analyses from REH and 697 cell lines with and without HMGA1 silencing revealed that HMGA1 up-regulates transcriptional networks involved in RAS/MAPK/ERK signaling while repressing the IDH1 metabolic gene, the latter of which functions in DNA and histone methylation. Studies are currently underway to identify effective agents to target HMGA1 pathways. Conclusions: Silencing HMGA1 dramatically disrupts leukemogenic phenotypes in vitro and prevents the development of leukemia in mice. Mechanistically, RNA-Seq analyses revealed that HMGA amplifies transcriptional networks involved cell cycle progression and epigenetic modifications. Our findings highlight the critical role for HMGA1 as a molecular switch required for leukemic transformation in pB-ALL and a rational therapeutic target that may be particularly relevant for relapsed B-ALL. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 102-102
Author(s):  
Linda Resar ◽  
Donna Marie Williams ◽  
Lingling Xian ◽  
Wenyan Lu ◽  
Briyana Chisholm ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) disorders characterized by overproduction of mature blood cells and increased risk of transformation to myelofibrosis (MF) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), although molecular mechanisms driving disease progression remain elusive. While most patients who acquire a JAK2V617F mutation in CD34+ cells present with chronic, indolent Polycythemia Vera (PV), ~25% will progress to MF or AML. High Mobility Group A1/2 (HMGA1/2) genes encode oncogenic chromatin remodeling proteins which are overexpressed in aggressive leukemia where they portend adverse outcomes. In murine models, Hmga1/2 overexpression drives clonal expansion and uncontrolled proliferation. HMGA1/2 genes are also overexpressed in MPN with disease progression. We therefore sought to: 1) test the hypothesis that HMGA proteins are required for leukemic transformation and rational therapeutic targets in MPN progression, and, 2) identify mechanisms mediated by HMGA1/2 during disease progression. Methods: We measured HMGA1/2 in JAK2V617F mutant human AML cell lines from MPN patients (DAMI, SET-2), CD34+ cells from PV patients during chronic and transformation phases, and JAK2V617F transgenic murine models of PV (transgenic JAK2V617F) and PV-AML (transgenic JAK2V617F/MPLSV; Blood 2015;126:484). To elucidate HMGA1/2 function, we silenced HMGA1 or HMGA2 via short hairpin RNA in human MPN-AML cell lines (DAMI, SET-2) and assessed proliferation, colony formation, and leukemic engraftment in immunodeficient mice. To further assess Hmga1 function in vivo, we crossed mice with heterozygous Hmga1 deficiency onto murine models of PV and PV-AML. Finally, to dissect molecular mechanisms underlying HMGA1, we compared RNA-Seq from MPN-AML cell lines (DAMI, SET-2) after silencing HMGA1/2 to that of controls and applied Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Results: HMGA1/2 mRNA are up-regulated in all JAK2V617F-positive contexts, including primary human PV CD34+ cells and total bone marrow from JAK2V617F mouse models for PV compared to controls. Further, there is a marked up-regulation in both HMGA1/2 in CD34+ cells from PV patients after transformation to MF or AML and in leukemic blasts from our PV-AML mouse model compared to PV mice. Overexpression of HMGA1/2 also correlates with clonal dominance of human JAK2V617F-homozygous stem cells and additional mutations of epigenetic regulators (EZH2, SETBP1). Silencing HMGA1 or HMGA2 in human MPN-AML cell lines (DAMI, SET-2) dramatically halts proliferation, disrupts clonogenicity, and prevents leukemic engraftment in mice. Further, heterozygous Hmga1 deficiency decreases splenic enlargement in PV mouse models with advancing age. Moreover, heterozygous Hmga1 deficiency prolongs survival in the transgenic PV-AML murine model with fulminant leukemia and early mortality. PV-AML mice survived a median of 5 weeks whereas PV-AML mice with heterozygous Hmga1 deficiency survive a median of 12 weeks (P< 0.002). The leukemic burden was also decreased in mice with Hmga1 deficiency. Preliminary RNA-Seq analyses from DAMI and SET-2 cells show that HMGA1 drives pathways involved in Th1/Th2 activation, chemotaxis, cell-cell signaling, myeloid cell accumulation and other immune cell trafficking, inflammation, and injury, suggesting that HMGA1 co-opts immune and inflammatory networks to drive tumor progression. Surprisingly, atherosclerosis pathways are also induced by HMGA1. Conclusions: HMGA1/2 genes are overexpressed in MPN with highest levels in more advanced disease (MF, AML) both in primary human tumors and murine models. Strikingly, silencing HMGA1 or HMGA2 halts proliferation and clonogenicity in vitro and prevents leukemic engraftment in vivo. Further, heterozygous Hmga1 deficiency prolongs survival in a murine model of fulminant MPN AML and decreases tumor burdens. Finally, preliminary RNA-Seq analyses suggest that HMGA1 amplifies transcriptional networks involved in immune cell trafficking and inflammation to drive tumor progression. Unexpectedly, HMGA1 also regulates pathways involved in atherosclerosis, implicating HMGA1 as a novel link between clonal hematopoiesis and cardiovascular disease. Our findings further highlight HMGA1/2 as a key molecular switch for leukemic transformation in MPN and opens the door to novel therapeutic approaches to prevent disease progression. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Oncogene ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten E Reichert ◽  
Shigeki Nagashima ◽  
Yoshiro Kashii ◽  
Joanna Stanson ◽  
Gui Gao ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Kawamura ◽  
Hirotake Kasai

We examined the effects of hemicellulase-treatedAgaricus blazei(AB fraction H, ABH) on growth of several tumor cell lines. ABH inhibited the proliferation of some cell lines without cytotoxic effects. It markedly prolonged the S phase of the cell cycle. ABH also induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in different cell lines. However, it had no impact on the growth of other cell lines. ABH induced strong activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the cells in which it evoked apoptosis. On the other hand, ABH showed only a weak p38 activation effect in those cell lines in which it delayed cell cycle progression with little induction of apoptosis. However, p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor inhibited both ABH-induced effects, and ABH also caused apoptosis in the latter cells under conditions of high p38 MAPK activity induced by combined treatment with TNF-α. These results indicate that the responsiveness of p38 MAPK to ABH, which differs between cell lines, determines subsequent cellular responses on cell growth.


Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 1585-1593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Jetmore ◽  
P. Artur Plett ◽  
Xia Tong ◽  
Frances M. Wolber ◽  
Robert Breese ◽  
...  

Differences in engraftment potential of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in distinct phases of cell cycle may result from the inability of cycling cells to home to the bone marrow (BM) and may be influenced by the rate of entry of BM-homed HSCs into cell cycle. Alternatively, preferential apoptosis of cycling cells may contribute to their low engraftment potential. This study examined homing, cell cycle progression, and survival of human hematopoietic cells transplanted into nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) recipients. At 40 hours after transplantation (AT), only 1% of CD34+ cells, or their G0(G0CD34+) or G1(G1CD34+) subfractions, was detected in the BM of recipient mice, suggesting that homing of engrafting cells to the BM was not specific. BM of NOD/SCID mice receiving grafts containing approximately 50% CD34+ cells harbored similar numbers of CD34+ and CD34− cells, indicating that CD34+ cells did not preferentially traffic to the BM. Although more than 64% of human hematopoietic cells cycled in culture at 40 hours, more than 92% of cells recovered from NOD/SCID marrow were quiescent. Interestingly, more apoptotic human cells were detected at 40 hours AT in the BM of mice that received xenografts of expanded cells in S/G2+M than in recipients of G0/G1 cells (34.6% ± 5.9% and 17.1% ± 6.3%, respectively; P &lt; .01). These results suggest that active proliferation inhibition in the BM of irradiated recipients maintains mitotic quiescence of transplanted HSCs early AT and may trigger apoptosis of cycling cells. These data also illustrate that trafficking of transplanted cells to the BM is not selective, but lodgment of BM-homed cells may be specific.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3846-3852 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Nakajima ◽  
M Masuda-Murata ◽  
E Hara ◽  
K Oda

Rat 3Y1 cell lines that express either adenovirus type 12 E1A 13S mRNA or 12S mRNA in response to dexamethasone treatment were established by introduction of recombinant vector DNA containing the E1A 13S- or 12S-mRNA cDNA placed downstream of the hormone-inducible promoter of mouse mammary tumor virus. These cell lines were growth arrested, and the induction of cell cycle progression was analyzed by flow cytometry after switch on of the cDNA by the addition of dexamethasone. The results indicate that the 13S- or 12S-mRNA product alone has the ability to cause progression of the cell cycle at a similar rate. The simultaneous addition of epidermal growth factor accelerated the rate of cell cycle progression in the transition from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Faujul Kabir ◽  
Johari Mohd Ali ◽  
Onn Haji Hashim

BackgroundWe have previously reported anticancer activities ofMelicope ptelefolia(MP) leaf extracts on four different cancer cell lines. However, the underlying mechanisms of actions have yet to be deciphered. In the present study, the anticancer activity of MP hexane extract (MP-HX) on colorectal (HCT116) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines was characterized through microarray gene expression profiling.MethodsHCT116 and HepG2 cells were treated with MP-HX for 24 hr. Total RNA was extracted from the cells and used for transcriptome profiling using Applied Biosystem GeneChip™ Human Gene 2.0 ST Array. Gene expression data was analysed using an Applied Biosystems Expression Console and Transcriptome Analysis Console software. Pathway enrichment analyses was performed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software. The microarray data was validated by profiling the expression of 17 genes through quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR).ResultsMP-HX induced differential expression of 1,290 and 1,325 genes in HCT116 and HepG2 cells, respectively (microarray data fold change, MA_FC ≥ ±2.0). The direction of gene expression change for the 17 genes assayed through RT-qPCR agree with the microarray data. In both cell lines, MP-HX modulated the expression of many genes in directions that support antiproliferative activity. IPA software analyses revealed MP-HX modulated canonical pathways, networks and biological processes that are associated with cell cycle, DNA replication, cellular growth and cell proliferation. In both cell lines, upregulation of genes which promote apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and growth inhibition were observed, while genes that are typically overexpressed in diverse human cancers or those that promoted cell cycle progression, DNA replication and cellular proliferation were downregulated. Some of the genes upregulated by MP-HX include pro-apoptotic genes (DDIT3, BBC3, JUN), cell cycle arresting (CDKN1A, CDKN2B), growth arrest/repair (TP53, GADD45A) and metastasis suppression (NDRG1). MP-HX downregulated the expression of genes that could promote anti-apoptotic effect, cell cycle progression, tumor development and progression, which include BIRC5, CCNA2, CCNB1, CCNB2, CCNE2, CDK1/2/6, GINS2, HELLS, MCM2/10 PLK1, RRM2 and SKP2. It is interesting to note that all six top-ranked genes proposed to be cancer-associated (PLK1, MCM2, MCM3, MCM7, MCM10 and SKP2) were downregulated by MP-HX in both cell lines.DiscussionThe present study showed that the anticancer activities of MP-HX are exerted through its actions on genes regulating apoptosis, cell proliferation, DNA replication and cell cycle progression. These findings further project the potential use of MP as a nutraceutical agent for cancer therapeutics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Kido ◽  
Eun-Ryeong Hahm ◽  
Valeria Cagnon ◽  
Mário Maróstica ◽  
Shivendra Singh

Abstract Objectives Piceatannol (PIC) is a polyphenolic and resveratrol analog that is found in many vegetables consumed by humans. Like resveratrol, PIC has beneficial effects on health due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-proliferative features. However, the molecular targets of PIC in prostate cancer (PCa), which is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, are still poorly understood. Preventing cancer through dietary sources is a promising strategy to control diseases. Therefore, the aim of present study was to investigate the molecular mechanistic of actions of PIC in PCa cell lines with different genetic background common to human prostate cancer. Methods Human PCa cell lines (PC-3, 22Rv1, LNCaP, and VCaP) were treated with different doses of PIC (5–40 µM) and used for cell viability assay, measurement of total free fatty acids (FFA) and lactate, and cell cycle distribution. Results PIC treatment dose- and time-dependently reduced viability in PC-3 (androgen-independent, PTEN null, p53 null) and VCaP cells (androgen-responsive, wild-type PTEN, mutant p53). Because metabolic alterations, such as increased glucose and lipid metabolism are implicated in pathogenesis of in PCa, we tested if PIC could affect these pathways. Results from lactate and total free fatty acid assays in VCaP, 22Rv1 (castration-resistant, wild-type PTEN, mutant p53), and LNCaP (androgen-responsive, PTEN null, wild-type p53) revealed no effect of PIC on these metabolisms. However, PIC treatment delayed cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase concomitant with the induction of apoptosis in both LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells, suggesting that growth inhibitory effect of PIC in PCa is associated with cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death at least LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells. Conclusions While PIC treatment does not alter lipid or glucose metabolism, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction are likely important in anti-cancer effects of PIC. Funding Sources São Paulo Research Foundation (2018/09793-7).


Cancers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mouna Sdiri ◽  
Xiangmin Li ◽  
William Du ◽  
Safia El-Bok ◽  
Yi-Zhen Xie ◽  
...  

The extensive applications of Cynomorium species and their rich bioactive secondary metabolites have inspired many pharmacological investigations. Previous research has been conducted to examine the biological activities and numerous interesting pharmaceutical activities have been reported. However, the antitumor activities of these species are unclear. To understand the potential anticancer activity, we screened Cynomorium coccineum and Cynomorium songaricum using three different extracts of each species. In this study, the selected extracts were evaluated for their ability to decrease survival rates of five different cancer cell lines. We compared the cytotoxicity of the three different extracts to the anticancer drug vinblastine and one of the most well-known medicinal mushrooms Amaurederma rude. We found that the water and alcohol extracts of C. coccineum at the very low concentrations possessed very high capacity in decreasing the cancer cells viability with a potential inhibition of tumorigenesis. Based on these primitive data, we subsequently tested the ethanol and the water extracts of C. coccineum, respectively in in vitro and in vivo assays. Cell cycle progression and induction of programmed cell death were investigated at both biological and molecular levels to understand the mechanism of the antitumor inhibitory action of the C. coccineum. The in vitro experiments showed that the treated cancer cells formed fewer and smaller colonies than the untreated cells. Cell cycle progression was inhibited, and the ethanol extract of C. coccineum at a low concentration induced accumulation of cells in the G1 phase. We also found that the C. coccineum’s extracts suppressed viability of two murine cancer cell lines. In the in vivo experiments, we injected mice with murine cancer cell line B16, followed by peritoneal injection of the water extract. The treatment prolonged mouse survival significantly. The tumors grew at a slower rate than the control. Down-regulation of c-myc expression appeared to be associated with these effects. Further investigation showed that treatment with C. coccineum induced the overexpression of the tumor suppressor Foxo3 and other molecules involved in inducing autophagy. These results showed that the C. coccineum extract exerts its antiproliferative activity through the induction of cell death pathway. Thus, the Cynomorium plants appear to be a promising source of new antineoplastic compounds.


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