scholarly journals Pre-Clinical Efficacy of Co-Targeting GFI1/KDM1A and BRD4 or JAK1/2 Against AML and Post-MPN Secondary AML Blast Progenitor Cells

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 27-27
Author(s):  
Warren Fiskus ◽  
Christopher Peter Mill ◽  
Christine Birdwell ◽  
Bernardo H Lara ◽  
Prithviraj Bose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Amine Oxidase ◽  
Colony Growth ◽  
Protein Domain ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Transcriptional regulators (TFs) involved in cell-growth, differentiation and survival of AML stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) include RUNX1, PU.1, CEBPα, c-Myb and c-Myc. LSD1 (KDM1A) is an FAD-dependent amine-oxidase that demethylates mono and dimethyl histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4Me1 and H3K4Me2). LSD1 is part of the repressor complexes involving GFI1, CoREST and HDAC1/2, that regulate active super-enhancers/enhancers (SEs/Es) and their target genes, mediating transcriptional repression and differentiation block in LSCs. GFI1 is a zinc-finger transcriptional repressor involved in AML development and differentiation. GFI1 contains an N-terminal domain through which it binds to the CoREST/LSD1/HDAC1/2 complex to regulate differentiation in LSCs. CRISPR-suppressor scanning revealed that enzymatic activity of LSD1 was not required for LSC differentiation, instead disruption of binding of LSD1 to GFI1 and CoREST induced differentiation in LSCs. LSD1 and GFI1 expression correlates with worse prognosis in MDS/AML. In present studies, we demonstrate first-time ever that knockout (KO) or degradation of LSD1 utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 or LSD1-FKBP12(F36V) and dTAG-13, respectively, disrupted LSD1-binding to GFI1/1B and CoREST, inhibiting colony growth and inducing differentiation markers (CD86 and CD11b) and morphologic differentiation of AML and post-MPN sAML blast progenitor cells (BPCs). CRISPR-mediated knockout of LSD1 in the AML OCI-AML5 and sAML SET2 cells significantly increased the permissive H3K4Me2/3-marked chromatin, reduced H3K27Ac occupancy at SEs/Es (by ChIP-Seq), especially of c-Myc and CDK6, as well as repressed DNMT1, CoREST, c-Myc, CDK6, and c-KIT, while inducing GFI1, PU.1, CEBPα, p21, CD11b, and CD86 levels (log2 -fold change by RNA-Seq and by Western analyses). This correlated with growth inhibition, % differentiation and apoptosis of AML and sAML cells. CRISPR-mediated GFI1-KO ± the irreversible LSD1 inhibitor (LSD1i) (INCB059872, INCB), repressed GFI1 levels, yet enhanced expressions of PU.1, p21 and CD11b and significantly increased % morphologic differentiation. Treatment with INCB (0.25 to 1.0 µM) also disrupted binding of LSD1 to GFI1 and to CoREST, increased GFI1/1B and PU.1 and repressed c-Myc protein levels, while significantly inhibiting colony growth, inducing differentiation and loss of viability of AML and post-MPN sAML (SET2 and HEL92.1.7) cells, as well as patient-derived AML and post-MPN sAML blasts (p < 0.01). Following INCB treatment, ATAC-Seq analysis demonstrated gained peaks in GFI1 and PU.1-target genes. Following H3K27Ac ChIP-seq analysis rank-ordering of SEs (ROSE) plot highlighted active SEs of RUNX1, GFI1, BCL2, PU.1, IRF8 and SMYD3, accompanied by increased H3K27Ac occupancy at the chromatin of GFI1 and PU.1 targets. Notably, INCB treatment also increased BRD4 occupancy, especially at the GFI1 and PU.1-target genes. RNA-Seq analysis showed that INCB treatment perturbed mRNA expressions, with positive normalized enrichment scores (NES) for interferon α, inflammatory-response, GFI1-targets and E2F-target gene-sets, and negative NES for c-Myc-targets and oxidative-phosphorylation gene-sets. RNA-Seq analyses of INCB-treated compared to untreated OCI-AML5 and SET-2 cells also demonstrated log2 fold-increase in the mRNA expressions of GFI1, PU.1 and CEBPα target-genes. Utilizing a protein domain-scanning CRISPR-Cas9 sgRNA screen followed by LSD1i treatment, present studies also demonstrate co-dependencies, including BRD4, in AML cells. BET inhibitor (BETi) treatment also depleted LSD1 protein levels, and co-treatment with the BETi OTX015 and INCB induced synergistic lethality in AML and post-MPN sAML blasts (Combination Indices < 1.0). Pre-treatment with INCB re-sensitized JAKi-resistant sAML cells to ruxolitinib-induced apoptosis and BETi-resistant post-MPN sAML cells to BETi-induced apoptosis. Notably, co-treatment with INCB (1.5 mg/kg) and ruxolitinib (20 mg/kg) or OTX015 (50 mg/kg), administered orally for 21 days, compared to ruxolitinib alone or vehicle control, significantly reduced the sAML burden and improved survival of immune-depleted mice engrafted with luciferized sAML HEL92.1.7 xenografts (p < 0.01). Collectively, these findings support further pre-clinical development of LSD1i-based combinations with ruxolitinib and BETi against post-MPN sAML. Disclosures Bose: CTI BioPharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer, Inc.: Research Funding; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Astellas Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding; Promedior, Inc.: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Kartos Therapeutics: Honoraria, Research Funding. Kadia:Incyte: Research Funding; Pulmotec: Research Funding; Cellenkos: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Genentech: Honoraria, Research Funding; JAZZ: Honoraria, Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Ascentage: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding. Verstovsek:CTI Biopharma Corp: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; PharmaEssentia: Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines Corp: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Protagonist Therapeutics: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; ItalPharma: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Synergistic Pre-Clinical Activity of Targeted Inhibition of KDM1A and BET Proteins Against Human AML Blast Progenitor Cells

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3930-3930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren Fiskus ◽  
Christopher Peter Mill ◽  
Raffaella Soldi ◽  
Roulan Han ◽  
Dyana T. Saenz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amine Oxidase ◽  
Colony Growth ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Differentiation Block ◽  
Bet Protein ◽  
Advisory Role

Abstract There is a clear need to develop novel therapies that would overcome differentiation block and eliminate AML stem/progenitor cells. Genetic and epigenetic dysregulation of enhancers regulates expressions of myeloid lineage transcriptional regulators and their target genes in AML stem/progenitor cells. LSD1 (KDM1A) is an FAD-dependent amine-oxidase that demethylates mono and dimethyl histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4Me1 and H3K4Me2), which regulates enhancer maintenance and transcription in AML stem/progenitor cells (LSCs). LSD1 is part of the repressor complexes involving HDACs, CoREST or GFI1 that mediate transcriptional repression and differentiation block in AML blast progenitor cells (BPCs). We had previously reported that treatment with the reversible LSD1 inhibitor (LSDi) SP2509 increases the permissive H3K4Me3 mark on the chromatin, associated with induction of p21, p27 and CEBPα levels, as well as of differentiation and loss of viability of AML BPCs (Leukemia. 2014; 28: 2155-64). In the present studies, we further evaluated the anti-AML efficacy of LSD1i-based combination with BET protein inhibitor (BETi). First, we determined that tet-inducible shRNA to KDM1A depleted protein levels of KDM1A, repressed c-Myc, but de-repressed p21, CD11b (ITGAM), CD86 and CEBPα, thereby inhibiting colony growth and modestly inducing lethality in genetically diverse cultured AML cell lines. Following sgRNA-directed, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene-editing of LSD1 in AML BPCs, surviving clones exhibited ~50% KDM1A levels and decreased c-Myc and DNMT1 expressions compared to the control AML BPCs. Treatment with either the reversible LSDi, SP2577 (Salarius Pharma), or with the irreversible LSDi ORY-1001, disrupted binding of KDM1A with CoREST. Following LSDi treatment, ATAC-Seq analyses demonstrated significant increase in the accessible chromatin of AML BPCs (represented by gained peaks). Gained ATAC-Seq peaks also involved the chromatin of MED11/13, LY96, CEBPB, RARA, CDKN1C and CD86 genes. ChIP-Seq analysis also showed increased H3K27Ac peaks in the chromatin of CD86, ITGAM, SAMHD1, TET2, MED12 and E2F1, and a reduction of peaks in RUNX1, CDK6, KIT, CTNNB1, HOXB5, FLT3 and MEIS1. RNA-Seq analyses after LSD1i treatment also showed significant perturbations (log2 fold-change >1.25 and p<0.05) in the mRNA expressions, including those of ITGAM, LY96, CD86, SAMHD1, IRF8, APAF1, CDK6, and KIT. Gene set enrichment analysis against Hallmark and Transcription Factor-Target datasets showed positive enrichment of E2F and GFI1 targets, as well as of IL2-STAT5 and TGF-beta signaling, but significant depletion (FDR q-values <0.1) of MYC-targets and genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation. QPCR and Western analyses following LSD1i treatment confirmed significant up regulation of mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of ITGAM, CD86 and LY96 in cultured and primary patient-derived AML BPCs. This was associated with morphologic features of differentiation and inhibition of colony growth in AML cells (OCI-AML5, MOLM13, THP1 and MV4-11) (p < 0.01). We also queried for expression mimickers (EMs) through connectivity mapping of the mRNA signature following LSD1i treatment, utilizing the LINCS1000-CMap analyses. Among the top EM hits were BET protein inhibitors (BETis). Treatment with BETi or BET protein degraders (PROTACs) depleted LSD1 levels in AML BPCs. Utilizing ChIP-Seq data, we also noted that LSD1 promoter is occupied by BET protein BRD4 in the AML cells. Consistent with this, treatment with the BETi OTX015 depleted KDM1A expression in AML cells. Notably, co-treatment with LSDi (SP2577 or ORY-1001) and OTX015 induced synergistic lethality in AML BPCs, including of CD34+, CD38-, Lin- AML stem/progenitor cells (combination indices < 1.0). This was associated with greater depletion of c-Myc, c-Myb and PU.1, but greater induction of p21 and p27. LSD1i or BETi treatment significantly improved survival of the immune-depleted mice (compared to the control mice) engrafted with the AML OCI-AML5 cells or patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of AML (p < 0.01). Collectively, these findings elucidate the molecular mechanisms and strongly support further in vivo testing and pre-clinical development of LSD1i-based combinations with BETi against AML BPCs. Disclosures Soldi: Beta Cat Pharma: Employment. Han:Beta Cat Pharma: Employment. DiNardo:Agios: Consultancy, Other: Advisory role; Bayer: Other: Advisory role; Celgene: Other: Advisory role; Medimmune: Other: Advisory role; Karyopharm: Other: Advisory role; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: Advisory role. Kadia:Celgene: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; BMS: Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy. Khoury:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding.

Abstract 1839: MicroRNA-499 Promotes the Differentiation of Cardiac Progenitor Cells into Myocytes

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toru Hosoda ◽  
Konrad Urbanek ◽  
Adriana Bastos Carvalho ◽  
Claudia Bearzi ◽  
Silvana Bardelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Brdu Incorporation ◽  
Cardiac Progenitor Cells ◽  
Partial Recovery ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Cell Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Reporter Assays

Myocardial regeneration mediated by cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) results in the partial recovery of the infarcted heart but the newly formed myocytes within the necrotic tissue have fetal-neonatal characteristics. In contrast, CPC activation in the remote viable myocardium results in the formation of mature myocytes, suggesting that CPC differentiation is conditioned by the surrounding cells. Thus, the hypothesis is raised that microRNAs (miRs) that are highly expressed in myocytes and are absent in CPCs, may translocate through gap junctions to adjacent CPCs promoting their differentiation. By employing miR array and Q-RT-PCR, miR-499 was found to be ~500-fold more expressed in myocytes than CPCs. Additionally, we demonstrated that miR-499 translocates from neighboring cells to CPCs through the formation of gap junctions. The translocated miR-499 was functional and repressed the expression of target genes. Among 200 putative targets of miR-499, we have elected to study Sox6 and Rod1. The validation of these putative miR-499-targets was obtained by reporter assays; cells transfected with miR-499 together with plasmids carrying luciferase and the 3′-UTR region of Sox6 or Rod1 show the expected decrease in luciferase activity. Transcripts of Sox6 and Rod1 were measured by Q-RT-PCR in myocytes and CPCs; Sox6 mRNA was 2-fold higher and Rod1 mRNA was 98% lower in myocytes than CPCs. However, the protein levels of Sox6 and Rod1 were significantly lower in myocytes than CPCs suggesting that miR-499 promotes degradation and/or inhibition of translation of these target genes. To document miR-499 function, CPCs were transfected with a miR-499-expression vector and cell proliferation and differentiation were evaluated 3 days later. BrdU incorporation decreased 60% and the cells displayed a marked upregulation of the myocyte-specific transcription factors Nkx2.5 and MEF2C. Similar results were obtained when Sox6 and Rod1 were selectively blocked with siRNA. In both cases, the number of Nkx2.5- and MEF2C-positive cells increased 2–3-fold. Thus, our data indicate that miR-499 translocates via gap junction from myocytes to CPCs where miR-499 is a crucial modulator of the differentiation of CPCs into cardiomyocytes through the repression of Sox6 and Rod1.

scholarly journals Pre-Clinical Efficacy of Co-Treatment with KDM1A (LSD1) Inhibitor and Ruxolitinib or BET Inhibitor Against Post-MPN-sAML Blast Progenitor Cells

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1274-1274
Author(s):  
Warren Fiskus ◽  
Christopher Peter Mill ◽  
Vrajesh Karkhanis ◽  
Bernardo H Lara ◽  
Prithviraj Bose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Amine Oxidase ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Bet Inhibitor ◽  
Oncology Research ◽  
Differentiation Block

LSD1 (KDM1A) is an FAD-dependent amine-oxidase that demethylates mono and dimethyl histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4Me1 and H3K4Me2), which regulates active enhancers and transcription in AML stem/progenitor cells (LSCs). LSD1 is part of the repressor complexes involving HDACs, CoREST or GFI1, mediating transcriptional repression and differentiation block in LSCs that persist in the minimal residual disease (MRD) following attainment of clinical complete remission, leading to relapse and poor outcome in AML. In AML LSCs, genetic alterations and epigenetic dysregulation of enhancers affect levels of myeloid transcriptional regulators, including c-Myc, PU.1, GATA 2 and CEBPα, and their target genes, which are involved in differentiation block in LSCs. Our present studies demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of LSD1 in the AML OCI-AML5 cells significantly increased the permissive H3K4Me2/3-marked chromatin, reduced H3K27Ac occupancy at super-enhancers and enhancers (SEs/Es) (by ChIP-Seq), especially of c-Myc and CDK6, as well as repressed CoREST, c-Myc, CDK6, and c-KIT, while inducing p21, CD11b, and CD86 levels (log2 -fold change by RNA-Seq, and protein expression by Western analyses). This led to significant growth inhibition, differentiation and loss of viability of OCI-AML5 and patient-derived AML blasts (p < 0.01). Similar effects were observed following exposure of OCI-AML5 (96 hours) to tet-inducible shRNA to LSD1. Knock-down of GFI1 by shRNA (by 90%) also inhibited growth and induced differentiation, associated with upregulation of PU.1, p21 and CD11b levels. Treatment with irreversible (INCB059872, 0.25 to 1.0 µM) or reversible (SP2577, 1.0 to 2.0 µM) LSD1 inhibitor (LSD1i) inhibited binding of LSD1 to CoREST, and significantly induced growth inhibition, differentiation and loss of viability (over 96 hours) of the OCI-AML5, post-myeloproliferative neoplasm (post-MPN) sAML SET2 and HEL92.1.7 cells, as well as patient-derived AML and post-MPN sAML blasts (p < 0.01). Co-treatment with INCB059872 and ruxolitinib synergistically induced apoptosis of the post-MPN sAML SET2 and HEL92.1.7 cells and patient-derived CD34+ post-MPN sAML blasts (combination indices < 1.0). Notably, pre-treatment with the LSD1i for 48 hours significantly re-sensitized ruxolitinib-persister/resistant SET2 and HEL92.1.7 cells to ruxolitinib (p < 0.001). We previously reported that treatment with the BET inhibitor (BETi) JQ1 or OTX015 represses SE/E-driven AML-relevant oncogenes including MYC, RUNX1, CDK6, PIM1, and Bcl-xL, while inducing p21 and p27 levels in post-MPN sAML blasts (Leukemia 2017;31:678-687). This was associated with inhibition of colony growth and loss of viability of AML and post-MPN sAML blasts (p < 0.01). Here, we determined that INCB059872 treatment induced similar levels of lethality in BETi-sensitive or BETi-persister/resistant AML and post-MPN sAML cells. Since BETi treatment also depleted LSD1 protein levels, co-treatment with the BETi OTX015 and LSD1i INCB059872 or SP2577 induced synergistic lethality in AML and post-MPN sAML blasts (combination indices < 1.0). Co-treatment with INCB059872 (1.5 mg/kg) and OTX015 (50 mg/kg) both orally for 21 days, compared to each agent alone or vehicle control, significantly reduced the sAML burden and improved survival of immune-depleted mice engrafted with HEL92.1.7 or HEL92.1.7/OTX015-resistant-GFP/Luc sAML xenografts (p < 0.01). Collectively, these findings strongly support further in vivo testing and pre-clinical development of LSD1i-based combinations with ruxolitinib against post-MPN sAML and with BETi against AML or post-MPN sAML cells. Disclosures Bose: CTI BioPharma: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Blueprint Medicine Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kartos: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Kadia:Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Jazz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bioline RX: Research Funding; Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bhalla:Beta Cat Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Khoury:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding; Angle: Research Funding; Kiromic: Research Funding. Verstovsek:Ital Pharma: Research Funding; Pharma Essentia: Research Funding; Astrazeneca: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; CTI BioPharma Corp: Research Funding; Promedior: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Protaganist Therapeutics: Research Funding; Constellation: Consultancy; Pragmatist: Consultancy; Sierra Oncology: Research Funding; Genetech: Research Funding; Blueprint Medicines Corp: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Suppression of PTEN Expression by NF-κB Prevents Apoptosis

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 1007-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Murthi Vasudevan ◽  
Sushma Gurumurthy ◽  
Vivek M. Rangnekar
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Pten Expression ◽  
Pten Gene ◽  
Transcription Activator ◽  
Potent Inducer ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Regulatory Loop

ABSTRACT NF-κB is a heterodimeric transcription activator consisting of the DNA binding subunit p50 and the transactivation subunit p65/RelA. NF-κB prevents cell death caused by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and other genotoxic insults by directly inducing antiapoptotic target genes. We report here that the tumor suppressor PTEN, which functions as a negative regulator of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase/Akt-mediated cell survival pathway, is down regulated by p65 but not by p50. Moreover, a subset of human lung or thyroid cancer cells expressing high levels of endogenous p65 showed decreased expression of PTEN that could be rescued by specific inhibition of the NF-κB pathway with IκB overexpression as well as with small interfering RNA directed against p65. Importantly, TNF, a potent inducer of NF-κB activity, suppressed PTEN gene expression in IKKβ+/+ cells but not in IKKβ−/− cells, which are deficient in the NF-κB activation pathway. These findings indicated that NF-κB activation was necessary and sufficient for inhibition of PTEN expression. The promoter, RNA, and protein levels of PTEN are down-regulated by NF-κB. The mechanism underlying suppression of PTEN expression by NF-κB was independent of p65 DNA binding or transcription function and involved sequestration of limiting pools of transcriptional coactivators CBP/p300 by p65. Restoration of PTEN expression inhibited NF-κB transcriptional activity and augmented TNF-induced apoptosis, indicating a negative regulatory loop involving PTEN and NF-κB. PTEN is, thus, a novel target whose suppression is critical for antiapoptosis by NF-κB.

scholarly journals Role of Signal Transducing Adaptor Protein-1 (STAP-1) in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Stem Cells

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4245-4245
Author(s):  
Jun Toda ◽  
Michiko Ichii ◽  
Hirohiko Shibayama ◽  
Hideaki Saito ◽  
Yuichi Kitai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Flow Cytometric ◽  
Apoptotic Genes ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder caused by hematopoietic stem cells expressing the BCR-ABL fusion oncoprotein, which constitutively activates multiple signal transduction pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT). Although tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy results in dramatic clinical success, studies have shown that TKIs are unable to eradicate leukemic stem cells (LSCs). Several key signaling molecules and pathways have been proposed to regulate the survival of CML LSCs in the presence of TKI; however, the details remain unclear. It is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms that maintain LSCs to better understand the pathogenesis of CML and develop new treatment approaches. The family of signal-transducing adaptor proteins (STAPs), which includes STAP-1 and STAP-2, has been implicated in various intracellular signaling pathways. In 2003, we cloned STAP-2 as a c-fms interacting protein and reported that STAP-2 binds to BCR-ABL and enhances activity, leading to the activation of downstream molecules such as ERK, STAT5, BCL-xL, and BCL2. STAP-1 was cloned as a c-kit interacting protein from a hematopoietic stem cell library, but it is unknown whether STAP-1 plays a role in CML. Given the structural homology between STAP-1 and STAP-2 and the hematopoietic expression of STAP-1, we hypothesized that STAP-1 might contribute to the leukemogenesis of CML. A STAP-1-deficient (KO) CML mouse model was developed. To generate this model, lineage (Lin)− Sca-1+ c-Kithigh (LSK) fraction isolated from bone marrow (BM) cells was infected with a retrovirus carrying BCR-ABL1 and GFP and subsequently transplanted into congeneric recipients. STAP-1 KO CML mice showed significantly longer survival than WT CML mice and displayed less severe splenomegaly and lung hemorrhages compared with WT mice. In recipient BM, absolute numbers of STAP-1 KO LSCs (GFP+ LSK cells) were significantly lower than WT LSCs. In the colony-forming assay, STAP-1 KO LSCs generated fewer colonies compared to WT LSCs. Using flow cytometric analysis, we found that STAP-1 KO LSCs had a higher apoptotic rate than WT LSCs. These findings suggest that the suppression of apoptosis induced by STAP-1 mediates longer survival of LSCs. To further understand the effects of STAP-1, we performed a gene expression analysis using RNA-sequence (RNA-seq) and compared WT and STAP-1 KO CML LSCs. When canonical pathways were analyzed with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, various pathways associated with inflammatory cytokines were observed to be regulated in STAP-1 KO CML LSCs. Changes in mRNA expression, including that of SOS1, SOS2, FOXO3, FASLG, NFKB2, and BCL-xL, indicated that the PTEN signaling pathway, known to play a tumor suppressive role in CML, was significantly activated by STAP-1 KO (p=1.096E-3, activation Z-score=2.611). The pathway related to JAK/STAT signaling was also affected (p=2.04E-5, activation Z-score=-3.286). Downstream genes in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, such as STAT5B and BCL-xL, were downregulated more than 2-fold in STAP-1 KO LSCs, suggesting that the deletion of STAP-1 inhibits the expression of STAT5-targeted anti-apoptotic protein and induced apoptosis of CML LSCs. To confirm the results of the RNA-seq experiment, an intracellular flow cytometric assay with CML Lin− cells was conducted. The frequency of cells positive for phosphorylated STAT5 was reduced for STAP-1 KO compared with that for WT. Quantitative PCR with CML LSCs confirmed the downregulation of BCL2 and BCL-xL, which are STAT5-targeted anti-apoptotic genes, in STAP-1 KO CML LSCs. In conclusion, we show that STAP-1 plays a crucial role in the maintenance of CML LSCs using a murine model of CML. STAP-1 deficiency results in the reduction of phosphorylated STAT5, downregulation of anti-apoptotic genes BCL-2 and BCL-xL, and induced apoptosis of CML LSCs. These findings suggest that STAP-1 and related signaling pathways could be potential therapeutic targets for CML LSCs. Disclosures Ichii: Celgene K.K.: Speakers Bureau; Kowa Pharmaceutical Co.,LTD.: Speakers Bureau; Novartis Pharma K.K.: Speakers Bureau. Shibayama:Fujimoto Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.,LTD.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene K.K.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jansen Pharmaceutical K.K: Honoraria; Ono Pharmaceutical Co.,LTD: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis Pharma K.K.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Mundipharma K.K.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Meyer Squibb K.K: Honoraria, Research Funding. Oritani:Novartis Pharma: Speakers Bureau. Kanakura:Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

scholarly journals Combined Targeting of β-Catenin and FLT-3 Is Synergistically Lethal Against Cultured and Primary AML Blast Progenitor Cells Expressing FLT3 Internal Tandem Duplication (ITD)

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 618-618
Author(s):  
Saikat Saha ◽  
Warren Fiskus ◽  
Sunil Sharma ◽  
Bhavin Shah ◽  
Anna T Rogojina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cyclin D1 ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Nuclear Levels

Abstract β-catenin acts as a co-activator for the T-cell factor (TCF) 4/lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) 1 bipartite transcription factor at the promoters of the WNT-β-catenin target genes, including cyclin D1, c-Myc and survivin. The canonical WNT-β-catenin pathway is documented to be essential for self-renewal, growth and survival of the AML stem and blast progenitor cells (BPCs), which has also been correlated with a poor prognosis in AML. In AML stem/BPCs expressing mutant FLT3-ITD, increased PI3K/AKT activity causes phosphorylation and inactivation of GSK3β, thereby preventing degradation, promoting stabilization and nuclear localization of β-catenin. Additionally, FLT3 can also directly mediate the tyrosine phosphorylation of β-catenin, thereby stabilizing and promoting the nuclear localization and binding of β-catenin to TCF4. TBL1 (transducin beta-like) is an adaptor protein, which binds to nuclear β-catenin and promotes its co-factor activity with TCF4/LEF1 in mediating transcription of the target genes, including c-Myc, cyclin D1 and survivin. Therefore, we hypothesized that targeted disruption of TBL1-β-catenin binding or depletion of TBL1 would abrogate the pro-growth and oncogenic signaling of β-catenin in AML BPCs, especially those expressing FLT3-ITD. Here, we demonstrate that treatment with 20 to 100 nM of BC2059 (β-Cat Pharmaceuticals), a small molecule, anthraquinone oxime-analog, disrupts the binding of β-catenin to TBL1 (by anti-TBL1 pull down and immunofluorescence analyses) and promotes proteasomal degradation of β-catenin, thereby attenuating the nuclear levels of β-catenin in the cultured (OCI-AML3, MOLM13 and MV4-11), as well as in primary (p) AML BPCs. Concomitantly, BC2059 treatment inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of c-Myc, cyclin D1 and survivin, while de-repressing p21 and Axin2. BC2059 also dose dependently inhibited growth and induced apoptosis of cultured and CD34+ pAML BPCs expressing FLT3-ITD (40 to 60%), but not of normal CD34+ bone marrow progenitor cells (p < 0.01). Transient knockdown of TBL1 or beta catenin (60 to 70%) by lentivirus-transduced shRNA caused loss of viability in MOLM13 cells, which was significantly enhanced by treatment with BC2059 (p < 0.01). BC2059 also induced apoptosis of MOLM13-TKIR cells that were isolated in vitro to exhibit resistance to FLT3 antagonists (approximately 50-fold). Notably, BC2059 treatment (10 mg/kg, t.i.w., by IV injection) also exerted potent in vivo anti-AML activity and significantly improved the survival of immune depleted mice engrafted with cultured and patient-derived pAML BPCs (p < 0.001). Since compared to the control OCI-AML3 cells, BC2059 demonstrated significantly greater lethality against the OCI-AML3 cells ectopically overexpressing FLT3-ITD (approximately 8-fold), we hypothesized that co-treatment with a FLT3 antagonist would further reduce the nuclear levels of β-catenin and enhance the lethal activity of FLT3-antagonist against AML BPCs expressing FLT3-ITD. Indeed, co-treatment with BC2059 (50 nM) and the FLT3-antagonist quizartinib or ponatinib (100 to 200 nM), versus each agent alone, caused more reduction in the nuclear levels and binding of β-catenin to TBL1 (by confocal immunofluorescence analysis). This was associated with greater decline in the expression of c-Myc, cyclin D1 and survivin, but increase in the levels of p21 and BIM. Compared to each agent alone, co-treatment with BC2059 and quizartinib or ponatinib also synergistically induced apoptosis of the FLT3-ITD expressing cultured (MOLM13 and MV4-11) and pAML BPCs (combination indices of < 1.0, by isobologram analyses) but not of normal CD34+ progenitor cells. Treatment with BC2059 (25 to 100 nM) also significantly increased the apoptosis observed by the shRNA mediated incomplete knockdown of TBL1 or β-catenin (approximately 70%) in MOLM13 cells (p < 0.01). Collectively, our findings support that targeted inhibition of the levels and binding of β-catenin to TBL by BC2059 and FLT3-antagonist is a promising approach to exert lethal activity against AML BPCs expressing FLT3-ITD. Further pre-clinical development of this combination therapy against FLT3-ITD expressing AML is progressing. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Mechanisms Underlying Superior Efficacy of Co-Targeting BET Proteins and Anti-Apoptotic BCL2 or MCL1 Protein Against AML Blast Progenitor Cells

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1351-1351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Peter Mill ◽  
Tianyu Cai ◽  
Warren Fiskus ◽  
Gautam Borthakur ◽  
Steven M. Kornblau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Clinical Efficacy ◽  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Adaptive Resistance ◽  
Nsg Mice ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Advisory Role

Abstract Bromodomain extra-terminal (BET) protein (BETP) family of chromatin reader proteins includes BRD4 that binds to acetylated lysine in the active chromatin and transcription factors (TFs) at enhancers and promoters, as well as increases RNA pol II (RNAP2) mediated mRNA transcription of active oncogenes in AML. Disruption of binding and eviction of BRD4 from chromatin results in transcriptional attenuation of pro-growth and pro-survival oncoproteins. These include c-Myc, BCL2, MCL1, CDK6, while inducing p21, p27 and HEXIM1, thereby causing growth inhibition and apoptosis of AML blast progenitor cells (BPCs). Consistent with this, first generation BETP inhibitors (BETi) (e.g., OTX015) have been shown to reduce AML burden and induce clinical remissions, albeit in a minority of patients with AML. Recently, more potent BETis such as ABBV-075 (AbbVie Inc.) have been developed and are being investigated for their clinical efficacy in AML. Venetoclax (ABT-199, AbbVie) and A-1210477 bind and inhibit the antiapoptotic activity of BCL2 and MCL1, respectively, lowering the threshold for apoptosis in AML BPCs. Treatment with venetoclax alone, and in combinations with other anti-AML agents, is effective in inducing clinical remissions in AML. Here, we interrogated the epigenetic mechanisms underlying transcriptional repression due to BETi treatment, as well as determined the anti-AML activity of co-treatment with BETi and venetoclax or A-1210477 against AML BPCs. ATAC-Seq analysis showed that, in BETi-treated (over untreated control) AML BPCs, BETi treatment induced significantly greater perturbations in the accessible chromatin (number of peaks gained or lost), which were especially enriched for TF-binding sites for RUNX1, c-Myc, GATA2, PU.1 and ERG, especially in the DNA of BCL2, Bcl-xL, MCL1, MYC, BIM, PIM1, CDK6, BRD2/4, HEXIM1, CDKN1A, CEBPA and ITGAM. RNA-Seq analyses, followed by confirmation with QPCR, demonstrated that BETi treatment attenuated expression of MYC, BCL2, Bcl-xL and CDK6, while inducing mRNA expression of HEXIM1 and CDKN1A. BETi (ABBV-075) treatment also dose-dependently reduced protein levels of c-Myc, CDK6, MCL1 and BCL2, while inducing BIM, HEXIM1, CDKN1A and cleaved PARP levels in AML BPCs. This was associated with dose-dependent (10 to 250 nM) ABBV-075-induced apoptosis of cultured AML cell lines and AML BPCs. Whereas treatment with venetoclax (20 to 200 nM) or A-1210477 (1 to 10 µM) alone also induced apoptosis, co-treatment with ABBV-075 and venetoclax or A-1210477 synergistically induced apoptosis of AML BPCs, including CD34+ patient-derived AML BPCs (combination indices < 1.0). Notably, treatment with venetoclax significantly increased protein expression of MCL1 (p < 0.05), which has been recently reported as a potential mechanism of acquired-adaptive resistance to venetoclax. However, co-treatment with ABBV-075 significantly abrogated venetoclax-induced MCL-1 levels (p < 0.01), which likely contributed to the synergistic anti-AML activity of co-treatment with ABBV-075 and venetoclax against AML BPCs. We next determined the in vivo anti-AML efficacy of ABBV-075 and venetoclax in luciferase-transduced, AML BPCs (MOLM13) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of AML BPCs engrafted in immune depleted (NSG) mice. Compared to treatment with either agent alone, co-treatment with ABBV-075 and venetoclax was significantly more effective in reducing AML cell burden (p < 0.001), without inducing toxicity, in AML BPC-engrafted NSG mice. Co-treatment with ABBV-075 and venetoclax also improved the median and overall survival of NSG mice engrafted with MOLM13 AML BPCs (p < 0.0001). Collectively, these pre-clinical findings elucidate the mechanistic rationale, and support evaluation of the clinical efficacy and safety of targeted co-treatment with BETi and BCL2 or MCL1 inhibitor in AML. Disclosures Kadia: Jazz: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jazz: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding. DiNardo:Karyopharm: Other: Advisory role; Medimmune: Other: Advisory role; Celgene: Other: Advisory role; Bayer: Other: Advisory role; Agios: Consultancy, Other: Advisory role; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: Advisory role. Khoury:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding. Shen:AbbVie Inc: Employment. Konopleva:Stemline Therapeutics: Research Funding.

scholarly journals GFI1 Is a Downstream Target of EVI1 in Normal Hematopoiesis

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 33-33
Author(s):  
Akira Chiba ◽  
Yosuke Masamoto ◽  
Hideaki Mizuno ◽  
Mineo Kurokawa
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Hematopoietic Progenitor ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Knock Out

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with high expression of a transcriptional factor, Ecotropic viral integration site 1 (EVI1), is associated with extremely poor prognosis. EVI1 is, however, also essential for maintaining normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), rendering it potentially difficult to target this molecule. To overcome this therapeutic difficulty, it is important to comprehensively elucidate differentially regulated downstream targets between normal and leukemia cells. In this study, we searched downstream targets of EVI1 in normal hematopoiesis by combining a chromatin immunoprecipitation sequence (ChIP-seq) and RNA-sequence (RNA-seq) analysis using a mouse hematopoietic cell line 32D-cl3 with high EVI1 expression. We deleted Evi1 using CRISPR/Cas9 in 32D-cl3 cells. Evi1 knock-out (KO) 32D-cl3 cells showed comparable cell growth with parental cells in the presence of IL-3, which enables them to proliferate permanently without differentiation. When they are allowed to differentiate by adding G-CSF, the number of KO cells decreased sharply at day 5-6, compared with parental 32D-cl3 cells. Along with the decreased cell number, KO cells also demonstrated higher positive rate of Gr-1 at day 7, a typical marker of differentiation into granulocytes, indicating accelerated differentiation of KO cells. These results indicated that EVI1 is required to maintain undifferentiated status of 32D-cl3 cells in a differentiation-permissive conditions, which can model normal hematopoiesis. We knocked in 3×FLAG tag at the 3' end of the Evi1 gene to perform ChIP-seq using anti-FLAG antibody. By using these knock-in cells, ChIP-seq was performed on day 0 and day 3 of G-CSF treatment, when they had started to differentiate with still maintained EVI1 expression. The peaks observed in undifferentiated day 0 sample were considered to contain a group of genes involved in undifferentiated hematopoietic cells in cooperation with EVI1. Genes associated HDAC class I, RAC1 signaling were enriched in these genes. To investigate the functional implications of the result of ChIP-seq, RNA-seq data using two clones of KO cells and parental cells were combined. We found that 152 genes were significantly up-regulated, and 155 genes were down-regulated in the KO cells, with false discovery rate less than 0.05. Twenty-four genes were identified by extracting common genes between ChIP-seq and RNA-seq; namely, genes which had day 0-specific peaks in ChIP-seq, and whose expression were decreased in the KO cells. In order to further examine the physiological implications of 24 genes in vivo, we referred to the results of RNA-seq using murine bone marrow transplantation model, where murine hematopoietic progenitor cells retrovirally transduced with Evi1 were transplanted into irradiated syngeneic mice, finally leading to AML after a long latency. Samples obtained early after post transplantation and those after AML onset were compared to those of normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. Among the above 24 genes, the expression of 5 genes was increased early after transplantation and decreased after the onset of AML, that is, these genes were up-regulated by EVI1 but don't seem to be involved in AML maintenance. We functionally validated the role of these genes in 32D-cl3 cells. Of the above, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-out of Gfi1(Growth Factor Independent 1 Transcriptional Repressor) and Mfsd2b (Major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2B) in 32D-cl3 cells led to high Gr-1 positivity at day 7 like Evi1-KO cells, suggesting that these genes are involved in the functions of EVI1 in the normal hematopoiesis. The mRNA expression of these genes was compared in LSK (Lineage- Sca1+ c-kit+) cells from the bone marrow of Evi1 conditional knockout (cKO) mice and control mice. The expression of Gfi1 and Mfsd2b was decreased in LSK cells from Evi1 cKO mice. Furthermore, retroviral expression of Gfi1 in LSK cells restored the reduced colony-forming ability of Evi1 cKO cells. These results collectively suggest that GFI1 is regulated by EVI1 and is involved in the function of EVI1 regulating the stemness of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in normal hematopoiesis. These findings provide us with the novel insights on EVI1-mediated HSC maintenance as well as on the therapeutic strategy that specifically targets leukemia-specific EVI1 effectors while preserving normal hematopoiesis. Disclosures Kurokawa: Shire Plc: Speakers Bureau; Jansen Pharmaceutical: Speakers Bureau; Ono: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Boehringer Ingelheim: Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Eisai: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Teijin: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Kyowa Kirin: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Otsuka: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Research Funding; Sanwa-Kagaku: Consultancy; MSD: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Chugai: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bioverativ Japan: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Nippon Shinyaku: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

scholarly journals NOTCH1 Stabilization By PEST Mutations Enhances IgM-Mediated Activity in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1832-1832
Author(s):  
Francesca Arruga ◽  
Valeria Bracciamà ◽  
Alison Yeomans ◽  
Annalisa D'Avola ◽  
Marta Coscia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND. Mutations in NOTCH1 PEST domain (NOTCH1-M) are present in ~10% of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) patients, result in accumulation of more stable NOTCH1 protein, and associate with poorer prognosis. NOTCH1-M are enriched in unmutated (U) immunoglobulin gene heavy-chain variable region (IGHV) CLL, which show high surface IgM (sIgM) expression and signaling capacity. mRNA translation is a prominent response to B cell receptor (BCR) engagement, increased in U-CLL, and for which therapeutic inhibitors are under active development. In CLL, c-MYC is an essential mediator of BCR-driven translation and direct target of NOTCH1, suggesting the impact of NOTCH1 on anti-IgM-mediated cell growth via MYC. AIMS AND METHODS. Our aim was to investigate the functional role of NOTCH1-M on anti-IgM-mediated signaling, compared to wild-type (WT) NOTCH1. The impact on global mRNA translation was studied using a flow cytometry-based O-propargyl-puromycin (OPP) incorporation assay and polysome fractionation assays. The effects of stabilized vs WT NOTCH1 were measured after 24-hour cultures of CLL cells, when data demonstrate differences in the expression of the two forms. Two cohorts of U-CLLs were compared: i) a subset of samples carrying NOTCH1-M [variant allele frequency (VAF) ≥30%, n=21] and ii) a cohort of samples with WT NOTCH1 (VAF<1%, n=23). In both subsets no additional cytogenetic lesions other than 13q deletion were present. RESULTS. sIgM levels and signaling capacity (measured by anti-IgM mediated iCa2+ mobilization) were higher in NOTCH1-M than in -WT samples, consistent with previous observations (1). Conceivably, anti-IgM-mediated phosphorylation of PLCg2 and ERK1/2 was stronger in M than in WT CLLs. In keeping with these results, expression of downstream targets as MYC and CCL3 was also induced at higher levels in M samples. Interestingly, inhibition of NOTCH1 with g-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) significantly decreased BCR target genes induction in M cells, reducing the differences with WT samples, and further enhanced the effects of ibrutinib when used in combination. In order to investigate the impact of NOTCH1 on IgM-mediated CLL cell growth, anti-IgM-induced global mRNA translation was compared in the two cohorts. Consistent with the higher MYC mRNA and protein levels, anti-IgM led to higher global mRNA translation in NOTCH1-M than in -WT cells. DAPT inhibited it in both CLL subsets, while ibrutinib led to complete inhibition of mRNA translation only in the -WT subset, suggesting a major contribution of NOTCH1 to the process. Consistently, the combination of DAPT+ibrutinib abrogated the difference between M and WT CLL cells. Importantly, MYC (but not translation initiation factors eIF4G, eIF4A or eIF3b) was already induced at 6 hours following anti-IgM stimulation and was maintained at high levels at 24 hours, while up-regulation of eIF4G, eIF4A and eIF3b was evident only at 24 hours, supporting the hypothesis of a direct MYC-dependent regulation of the translation machinery (2). NOTCH1 itself was post-transcriptionally regulated upon BCR ligation, as we observed increased NOTCH1 mRNA in polysome-enriched actively translated fractions and increased protein levels on the surface of anti-IgM stimulated cells, specifically inhibited by ibrutinib. Consequently, NOTCH1 pathway was significantly more activated upon anti-IgM stimulation in M than WT cells, as determined by qPCR of NOTCH1 target genes. Both Ibrutinib and DAPT significantly prevented NOTCH1 activation upon BCR triggering, with the drug combination being the most effective treatment. Moreover, in line with data showing NOTCH1-dependent regulation of a B cell gene signature, expression of BTK, LYN and BLNK was significantly increased in anti-IgM activated NOTCH1-M samples, an effect prevented by DAPT. CONCLUSIONS. These data indicate that NOTCH1 stabilization associates with stronger IgM signaling capacity and suggest an interplay between BCR and NOTCH1 pathway, with the former promoting NOTCH1 expression and activation. The evidence that NOTCH1 pathway inhibition reverts this difference suggests a direct effect of NOTCH1 on IgM signaling. In this scenario, stabilizing NOTCH1 mutations may enhance BCR signaling by boosting translation through MYC induction and by directly regulating expression of BCR cascade elements. NOTES. SD and FF share senior authorshipD'Avola, Blood 2016Ruggero, Cancer Res 2009 Disclosures Coscia: Abbvie, Gilead, Shire: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen, Karyopharm: Research Funding. Gaidano:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Morphosys: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria. Allan:Genentech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sunesis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Acerta: Consultancy; Verastem: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Furman:Gilead: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Verastem: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Other: DSMB; Loxo Oncology: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Sunesis: Consultancy; Acerta: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company: Consultancy. Packham:Aquinox: Research Funding. Deaglio:iTeos therapeutics: Research Funding; VelosBio inc: Research Funding; Verastem: Research Funding. Forconi:Abbvie: Consultancy; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy.

Tfeb Links MYC Signaling to Epigenetic Control of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Death and Differentiation

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 12-13
Author(s):  
Seongseok Yun ◽  
Nicole D. Vincelette ◽  
Mario Fernandez ◽  
Xiaoqing Yu ◽  
Chunying Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Leukemia Cells ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Granulocytic Differentiation ◽  
Hl60 Cells ◽  
Epigenetic Control ◽  
Mtorc1 Signaling

MYC gene amplification and somatic mutations are frequent in both adult and pediatric AML although how MYC drives and contributes to the development and maintenance of AML has not been resolved. Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a master regulator of genes that control autophagy and lysosome biogenesis, a central catabolic recycling pathway that regulates cell survival. Given the oncogenic effects of MYC in AML and that the induction of autophagy compromises AML cell growth and survival, we tested if the oncogenic effect of MYC depends on its suppression of TFEB transcription programs in AML. In support of this hypothesis, inducible MYC expression in K562 and THP-1 leukemia cells was sufficient to suppress expression of TFEB and its target genes. Further and conversely, MYC knockdown in NB4 AML cells provoked increased expression of TFEB mRNA and protein, as well as increased expression of TFEB target genes. Notably, dose response studies demonstrated that expression of TFEBS211A, constitutively nuclear form of TFEB that is refractory to control by mTORC1 signaling, dramatically impairs proliferation of HL60, OCI-AML2 and OCI-AML3 AML cells. In addition, induction of TFEBS211A provoked rampant apoptosis. Of important, overexpression of TFEBS211A in HL-60 and OCI-AML3 cells was also sufficient to promote monocytic and granulocytic differentiation, as judged by morphological changes and the acquisition of mature monocytic and granulocytic markers including CD11b, Gr1, and CD15. To identify TFEB targets that might contribute to myeloid/granulocytic differentiation, we performed RNA-seq analysis of HL60 leukemia cells engineered to inducibly express the TFEBS211A transgene. Using a cut-off of fold change&gt;4 with q&lt;0.01, a total of 1152 genes were differentially regulated following the induction of TFEBS211A in HL60 cells. As expected, this included the robust induction of nearly all TFEB target genes associated with the autophagy-lysosome pathway, but also of STAT1, KLF4, KLF6, CEBPB, CSF1 and GATA2 genes that are necessary and/or sufficient to provoke terminal monocytic and granulocytic differentiation of AML cells. Surprisingly, among genes induced by TFEB in HL60 cells is IDH1, which catalyzes the production of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), a required substrate of the TET family of dioxygenases that convert 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). In particular, TFEBS211A expression provoked increases in levels of α-KG and significant increases in global levels of 5hmC in genomic DNA of HL60 leukemia cells both ex vivo and in vivo. Furthermore, TFEB-mediated induction of IDH1/2 mRNA and protein, and of IDH1 promoter activity, was antagonized by inducible expression of MYC. To assess the global effects of TFEB on 5mC/5hmC landscapes, we performed paired reduced representation bisulfite (BS)- and oxidation bisulfite (oxBS)-sequencing. As predicted, TFEBS211A induced both loss and gains of 5mC, but there were more losses (n = 722) than gains (n = 459) across all 22 chromosomes. Quite remarkably, and consistent with TFEB-provoked increases of 5hmC signals, TFEBS211A exclusively induced 5hmC gains (in a total of 863 genes), and 37% and 36% of these 5hmC gains occurred in promoter regions and CpG islands, and across all 22 chromosomes. Comparison of BS- and oxBS-seq versus RNA-seq analyses of HL60 cells expressing TFEB revealed significant changes in mRNA levels and concomitant differential changes in 5mC and 5hmC marks in KLF4, KLF6, STAT3, TP73, andFOXO1 that have pivotal roles in controlling myeloid cell differentiation and death. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that MYC suppresses TFEB expression and function in AML cells, and that TFEB functions as a tumor suppressor that provokes AML cell differentiation and death. Strikingly, these responses rely on epigenetic control, where TFEB directly induces the transcription of IDH1 and IDH2 to provoke global hydroxylation of 5-methylcytosine and the expression of genes that drive terminal differentiation and apoptosis. Thus, a MYC-TFEB-IDH1/2-TET2 circuit controls AML cell fate. Disclosures Murphy: Merck: Research Funding; Puma Biotech: Research Funding. Ballabio:CASMA Therapeutics: Other: Co-Founder. Kaufmann:Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.

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