Disruption of Leukemia/Stroma Cell Interactions by CXCR4 Antagonist AMD3465 Enhances Chemotherapy-Induced Apoptosis in AML.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 474-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhihong Zeng ◽  
Marina Konopleva ◽  
Billie J. Nowak ◽  
William Plunkett ◽  
Gautam Borthakur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Leukemia Cell ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Bone Marrow Microenvironment ◽  
Cell Interactions ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Chemokine receptor CXCR4 is critically involved in the migration of hematopoietic cells to the stromal derived factor (SDF-1α)-producing bone marrow microenvironment. We and others have previously demonstrated that stroma/leukemia interactions mediate protection of leukemic cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis (Konopleva, Leukemia2002:1713; Burger Blood2000: 2655). Using AMD3465, the second-generation small-molecule CXCR4 inhibitor with a greater potency than AMD3100, we tested the hypothesis that CXCR4 inhibition interferes with stromal/leukemia cell interactions resulting in increased sensitivity to chemotherapy. Our results showed that AMD3465 inhibited surface expression of CXCR4 on AML cell lines in a dose dependent manner. AMD3465 (1μM) significantly inhibited SDF-1α and stromal (MS-5)-induced migration of OCI-AML2 cells (78% and 54% inhibition, respectively), U937 cells (71% and 41.3%) and diminished SDF-1α- or stromal-induced migration of leukemic blasts from four primary AML samples tested (SDF-1α, 43.4 ± 8.6%, MS-5, 38.4 ± 8.5% inhibition). In in vitro co-culture systems, stromal cells significantly protected leukemic cell lines and primary AML cells from spontaneous and chemotherapy induced apoptosis (p<0.01; p<0.001). Measurements of intracellular Ara-CTP levels determined by HPLC showed that stromal cells diminished incorporation of Ara-C into leukemic cells by 20%. AMD3465 enhanced AraC- and Busulfan-induced apoptosis by 44% and 69%, respectively. Western blot revealed that AMD3465 downregulated AKT signaling in AML cells. Most importantly, it decreased stroma-mediated protection from AraC-induced apoptosis in five out of ten primary AML samples with surface expression of functional CXCR4 (mean increase, 29.9±19.5% compared to chemotherapy alone). Curiously, the highest sensitization was observed in a sample from AML patient harboring Flt3/ITD mutation (Ara-C, 30.3% annexinV(+); Ara-C+AMD, 62.8%), confirming recently documented role for Flt3/ITD in modulation of CXCR4 signaling (Fukuda, Blood2005:3117). Taken together, our data suggest that SDF-1α/ CXCR4 interactions contribute to the resistance of leukemic cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Disruption of these interactions by the potent CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3465 represents a novel strategy for targeting leukemia cell/bone marrow microenvironment interactions. A clinical trial testing this concept in patients with AML is in preparation.

Disruption of Leukemia/Stroma Cell Interactions by CXCR4 Antagonist CTCE-9908 Enhances Chemotherapy-Induced Apoptosis in AML

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 2415-2415
Author(s):  
Hongbo Lu ◽  
Zhihong Zeng ◽  
Yuexi Shi ◽  
Sergej Konoplev ◽  
Donald Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Leukemia Cell ◽  
Bone Marrow Microenvironment ◽  
Cell Interactions ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Dose Dependent

Abstract The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is critically involved in the migration of hematopoietic cells towards the stromal derived factor (SDF-1α)-producing bone marrow microenvironment. We and others have previously demonstrated that stroma/leukemia interactions mediate protection of leukemic cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis (Konopleva, Leukemia 2002). Using a peptide analog of SDF-1α designated CTCE-9908, we tested the hypothesis that CXCR4 inhibition interferes with stromal/leukemia cell interactions resulting in increased sensitivity to chemotherapy. Our results showed that CTCE-9908 significantly inhibits SDF-1α-induced migration of U937 (43% inhibition) and OCI-AML3 cells (40% inhibition) in a dose-dependent manner. In three of the four primary AML samples which expressed CXCR4 on cell surface and migrated in response to SDF-1α, 50 μg/ml CTCE-9908 reduced SDF-1α-induced migration of leukemic blasts (60%, 19% and 50% inhibition respectively). In in vitro co-culture systems, stromal cells significantly protected OCI-AML3 cells from chemotherapy induced apoptosis [no MS-5, 75.2±5.2% annexinV(+); with MS-5, 59±1.1% annexinV(+)]. Western blot analysis revealed that CTCE-9908 inhibits Akt and Erk phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner in the OCI-AML3 cell line stimulated by SDF-1α. Blockade of CXCR4 expression with CTCE-9908 markedly abrogated the protective effects of stromal cells on OCI-AML3 [Ara-C, 59±1.1% annexinV(+); Ara-C + CTCE-9908, 76.9±1.35 annexinV(+)]. Most importantly, it decreased stroma-mediated protection from AraC-induced apoptosis in four out of five primary AML samples with surface expression of functional CXCR4 (mean increase, 25.1±9.3% compared to chemotherapy alone). In vivo, subcutaneous administration of 1.25mg CTCE-9908 induced mobilization of leukemic cells from primary AML patient transplanted into NOD/Scid-IL2Rγ-KO mice (from 15% to 27% circulating leukemic cells 1 hour post CTCE-9908 injection). Taken together, our data suggest that SDF-1α/CXCR4 interactions contribute to the resistance of leukemic cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis via retention of leukemic cells in the bone marrow microenvironment niches. Disruption of these interactions by the potent CXCR4 inhibitor CTCE-9908 represents a novel strategy for targeting leukemia cell/bone marrow microenvironment interaction. Based on these observations, in vivo experiments are ongoing to characterize the efficacy of chemotherapy combined with CTCE-9908.

CXCR4 Inhibition as a Therapeutic Strategy in Leukemia.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 456-456
Author(s):  
Zhihong Zeng ◽  
Randall L. Evans ◽  
Ziwei Huang ◽  
Michael Andreeff ◽  
Marina Konopleva
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Bone Marrow Microenvironment ◽  
Jurkat Cells ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Viable Cells ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is critically involved in the migration of hematopoietic cells to the stroma derived factor (SDF-1α)-producing bone marrow microenvironment. We and others have previously demonstrated that stromal-leukemic interactions mediate protection of leukemic cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. (Konopleva et al, Leukemia 2002; Tabe, Konopleva, et al, Blood 2004; Burger JA et al., Blood 2000). Using peptide based CXCR4 inhibitors, derived from the chemokine viral macrophage inflammatory protein II (vMIP II), we tested the hypothesis that CXCR4 inhibition interferes with stromal/leukemia cell interactions resulting in increased sensitivity to chemotherapy. CXCR4 was highly expressed on the cell surface of CML myeloid blood crisis cells (KBM5), KBM5/STI-resistant cells, lymphoid CEM and Jurkat cells, myeloid leukemic OCI-AML3 and U937 cells. In contrast, NB4 and TF-1 cells expressed low-levels surface CXCR4, and no surface expression was detected on KG-1 and HL-60 leukemic cells. Among CXCR4(+) cell lines, Jurkat cells demonstrated the highest chemoattractive response to SDF-1α(23 +/− 0.03% migration at SDF-1α50ng/ml, and 54 +/− 0.01% at 100ng/ml). The ability of three CXCR4 inhibitors to inhibit chemotaxis of Jurkat cells was examined in a standard migration assay. Results indicate that D10-vMIP-II, a polypeptide with the first 10 amino acids substituted by the D isoform, exhibits the strongest antagonistic effect on SDF-1α or stromal cell induced chemoattraction. D10-vMIP-II also decreases CXCR4 surface expression in a concentration-dependent manner: flow cytometry and live cell confocal microscopy revealed that within 30min of exposure D10-vMIP-II causes CXCR4 internalization that persisted for at least 4 hrs at 0.01μM and for 24 hrs at 0.1μM. Analysis of SDF-1α-mediated signaling demonstrated that D10-vMIP-II inhibits AKT and ERK phosphorylation. Finally, we examined the effects of D10-vMIP-II on the response to chemotherapy of leukemic cells co-cultured with MS5 stromal cells. Pre-treatment of Jurkat cells enhanced doxorubicin-induced apoptosis: Doxorubicin alone (10μM) 75 +/− 0.07% viable cells compared to control; Doxorubicin and D10-vMIP-II: 53 +/− 0.04% viable cells. Furthermore, D10-vMIP-II enhanced the sensitivity of primary CLL cells to Fludarabine in the in vitro stromal co-culture system. CLL samples with high surface expression of CXCR4 (n=3) co-cultured with stromal MS-5 cells were pre-treated with 0.1μM D10-vMIP II followed by 10μM Fludarabine (9-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine). Stromal cells prevented Fludarabine-induced killing (64%±16.2 viable cells in stromal co-culture compared to 31% viable cells in medium only). Inhibition of CXCR4 signaling abrogated this protective effect and diminished CLL cell survival (26.9±7.1% viable cells, p=0.03 compared to Fludarabine-treated CLL cells co-cultured with MS-5). This growth inhibition was mediated by apoptosis induction as determined by CD45/annexinV flow cytometry (DMSO, 14.49±5.3% annexinV(+) leukemic cells; Fludarabine, 47.2±24.9%; D10-vMIP II followed by Fludarabine, 61.3±18.9%). Taken together, our data suggest that SDF-1α/CXCR4 interactions contribute to the resistance of leukemic cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Disruption of these interactions by the potent CXCR4 inhibitor D10-vMIP-II represents a novel strategy for the targeting leukemic cells within their bone marrow microenvironment.

Massive Mobilization of AML Cells into Circulation by Disruption of Leukemia/Stroma Cell Interactions Using CXCR4 Antagonist AMD3100: First Evidence in Patients and Potential for Abolishing Bone Marrow Microenvironment-Mediated Resistance.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 568-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Andreeff ◽  
Sergej Konoplev ◽  
Rui-Yu Wang ◽  
Zhihong Zeng ◽  
Teresa McQueen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Leukemia Cell ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Bone Marrow Microenvironment ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Fish Analysis ◽  
Cxcr4 Antagonist ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is critically involved in migration of hematopoietic cells to the stromal derived factor (SDF-1α)-producing bone marrow microenvironment. CXCR4 is regulated in part by mutant FLT3 signaling, but in a series of 122 AML samples with diploid karyotype and lack of FLT3 mutation (ITD), high CXCR4 expression negatively correlated with DFS and OS (p=0.03 and p=0.04, respectively), after multivariate analysis (Konoplev, ASH 2006). We hypothesized that inhibition of SDF-1α-/CXCR4 interactions would result in mobilization of leukemic blasts from the bone marrow into circulation. The in vivo effect of the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 was studied in three patients with AML, who had insufficient mobilization of CD34+ cells for autologous stem cell transplantation with G-CSF and/or cytoxan. The combination of G-CSF (10 μg/kg QD) and AMD3100 (240 μg/kg QD SC starting on d4 and repeated for 3–4 days) resulted in massive mobilization of leukemic cells into the circulation in a time-dependent fashion, as determined by flow cytometry and interphase FISH analysis of their respective cytogenetic abnormalities. Patient # Cytogenetics % (+) cells % (+) cells Apheresis FCM Day 2 Day 4/5 CD34x106/kg 1 Trisomy 21 22.6 57.0 FCM CD7/33 22.0 2 Trisomy 9 28.6 68.6 Inv 16 29.0 75.8 4.8 FCM CD13/33 74.0 3 Mono 17 40.4 53.4 5q31 37.5 49.6 8.7 FCM CD13/33 50.0 We and others have previously demonstrated that stroma/leukemia interactions mediate protection of leukemic cells from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis (Konopleva et al, Leukemia2002:1713). We then tested the hypothesis that CXCR4 inhibition would result in increased sensitivity to chemotherapy, using AMD3465, the second generation small-molecule CXCR4 inhibitor with greater potency than AMD3100. Results demonstrate inhibition of surface expression of CXCR4 and of SDF-1α-, and stroma(MS-5)-induced migration of AML cells. In vitro co-culture systems with stromal cells significantly protected leukemic cells (p < 0.01), while AMD3465 decreased stroma-mediated protection from AraC and Busulfan apoptosis and downregulated AKT signaling in AML cells. In a murine model of luciferase labeled Baf-FLT3ITD leukemias, AMD3465 induced massive dissemination of leukemia, which was abrogated by treatment with Sorafenib, a potent FLT3ITD inhibitor (Zhang, ASH 2006). Taken together, our data suggest that SDF-1α/CXCR4 interactions contribute to the resistance of leukemic cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Disruption of these interactions by CXCR4 inhibition results in leukemia dissemination and chemosensitization. Our results in leukemia patients provide first in man proof-of principle for a novel strategy of targeting the leukemia cell/bone marrow microenvironment interactions. A clinical trial testing this concept in patients with AML is under development.

Novel Role of HDAC Inhibitors in Bone Marrow Microenvironment: Activation of Leukemia Cell Phagocytosis through Annexin A1.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2219-2219
Author(s):  
Yoko Tabe ◽  
Rooha Contractor ◽  
Susanne Radke ◽  
Michael Andreeff ◽  
Marina Konopleva
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Membrane Binding ◽  
Hdac Inhibitors ◽  
Leukemia Cell ◽  
Cdna Array ◽  
Bone Marrow Microenvironment ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Annexin A1 ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Annexin A1 (ANX-A1) is a calcium-dependent membrane-binding protein involved in the modulation of apoptosis and phagocytosis (FASEB J.2003;17:1544). We have previously reported that HDAC inhibitor depsipeptide (FK228) caused marked growth inhibition and apoptosis in t(8;21) Kasumi-1 AML cells with up-regulation of 123 genes (by cDNA array) including ANX-A1 (3.5 fold; Tabe, Blood 2004). By chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, FK228 induced H4 and H3-K9 acetylation in the ANX-A1 promoter with corresponding induction of ANX-A1 mRNA (7.2±1.7 fold, TaqMan RT-PCR) and protein (western blot analysis). The markedly increased ANX-A1 protein localized on the cell membrane of Kasumi-1 cells exposed to FK228 was confirmed by immunofluorecence analysis using confocal microscopy. ANX-A1 membrane localization was diminished by treatment with anti-ANX-A1 mAb. To investigate the contribution of ANX-A1 to FK228-induced apoptosis, we neutralized ANX-A1 by anti-ANX-A1 mAb. This moderately decreased FK228 induced apoptosis (36.0±4.1 vs 26.5±3.7% AnnexinV(+)/PI(+) cells, p=0.01). Similarly, Kasumi-1 cells transfected with siRNA/ANX-A1 were less sensitive to FK228-induced cell death compared with nonsense (N) siRNA transfected cells (siRNA 31.2±3.1% vs NsiRNA 39.5±2.9% annexin(+) cells, p=0.03). These data indicate that the upregulation of endogeneous ANX-A1 (either membrane-binding or secreted form) promotes cell apoptosis in an autocrine fashion. Next, we investigated the functional role of ANX-A1 on leukemia cell phagocytosis. The engulfment of Kasumi-1 cells by cocultured human THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages was evaluated by cell adherence assay. Compared with untreated cells, the exposure to FK228 induced a dramatic increase in Kasumi-1 cells attachment to macrophages (untreated vs FK228 treated; 57 ± 9 cells vs 196 ± 33 cells/ microscopic fields (0.08 mm2/field), n = 5; p=0.01). FK228-induced cell attachment was completely abrogated in the siRNA/ANX-A1 transfected Kasumi-1 cells (60.5% ± 10.5% decrease; n = 5; p<0.001). Consistently, co-treatment with FK228 and anti-ANX-A1 mAb followed by washout of both compounds resulted in significantl repression of FK228-stimulated engulfment of leukemic cells by macrophages (54.1% ± 3.0% decrease; n = 5; p=0.02). This effect was not further enhanced by adding anti-ANX-A1 mAb to the co-culture medium, suggesting that membrane-associated but not soluble ANX-A1 contributes to leukemia cell engulfment by macrophages. Results presented here demonstrate a novel mechanism of action of HDAC inhibitors in the context of bone marrow microenvironment via histone acetylation, increased expression and externalization of ANX-A1, which provides an “eat-me” signal and mediates phagocytic clearance of apoptotic leukemic cells by macrophages. Our data further suggest that ANX-A1 is silenced via histone deacetylation in leukemic cells, and its re-expression by HDAC inhibitors may stimulate apoptosis in an autocrine fashion while diminishing the inflammatory response through activating phagocytosis in the bone marrow microenvironment.

Protection of ALL Cells by Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and the Underlying Molecular Mechanism.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 2587-2587
Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
Baohua Sun ◽  
Saradhi Mallampati ◽  
Zhen Cai ◽  
Xiaoping Sun
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Bone Marrow Stromal Cells ◽  
Marrow Stromal Cells ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
New Therapies ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Abstract 2587 Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the fastest-growing hematological malignancies affecting patients with all ages, particularly children. Significant advances have been made in recent years in our understanding of the disease and the development of new therapies, which have led to a greatly improved outcome. Nevertheless, in a significant number of patients with ALL, the disease relapse and become resistant to treatment, causing death of the patients. Increasing evidence suggests that relapse of the disease and resistant to treatment are largely attributed to the protection of the leukemic cells by various components in the microenvironment, such as bone marrow stromal cells. However, the cross-talk between leukemic cells and their microenvironment remains poorly understood. Therefore, better understanding the mechanisms underlying the protection of ALL cells by the microenvironment is of ultimate importance in developing new therapies targeting such protection and eventually eradicating all the leukemic cells to cure the disease. In this study, we used a coculture system with leukemic cells and bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) to mimic the in vivo interaction between the two cell types to explore the molecular events that might be responsible for the protection of ALL cells from Ara-C induced apoptosis. We cocultured human primary ALL cells with hTERT-immortalized normal human MSC and evaluated ALL cell apoptosis by FACS after staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide. In all 8 cases, the MSC provided significant protection of ALL cells from both spontaneous and Ara-C induced apoptosis. For example, the mean Ara-C induced apoptosis of ALL cells cultured without MCS was 42.7% (range, 27–54%), whereas it was 19.1% (range, 8–27%) with MSC. Similar results were obtained with human leukemia cell lines Reh, SEMK2 and RS4.11. We also found that the murine MSC line M210B4 could provide similar protection to ALL cells, whether the ALL cells are primary or cell lines. The reduced apoptosis in the coculture were confirmed by Western blot which showed that MSC could protect ALL cells from Caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. Furthermore, our results showed no significant Ara-C induced reduction in S phase when cocultured with MSC. This phenomenon was associated with decreased cyclinA and CDK2 expression. In addition, we found that cocultured with MSC resulted in phosphorylation of AKT in ALL cells and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 specifically inhibited MSC-induced activation of AKT and promoted ALL cell apoptosis. In addition, beta-catenin and c-myc had increased expression in ALL cells cocultured with MSC, suggesting that Wnt pathway could play a role in MSC-mediated protection. To identify candidate molecules potentially involved in the protection of ALL cells by MSC, we performed gene expression microarray analyses with ALL cells exposed to Ara-C in presence or absence of MSC. Our data indicated that several signaling pathways might be involved in this process, including apoptosis signaling and cell cycle checkpoint control, which confirmed above findings. The top expressed genes identified in the microarray studies were confirmed by RT-PCR. Collectively, our results demonstrated that MSC can protect ALL cells from Ara-C induced apoptosis by multiple signaling pathways, such as those involving PI3K/AKT and Wnt signaling. Hence, targeting these pathways may become potential novel therapeutic strategies to disrupt the support of the microenvironment to ALL cells and to eventually eradicate leukemic cells. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Targeting the leukemia microenvironment by CXCR4 inhibition overcomes resistance to kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy in AML

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 113 (24) ◽  
pp. 6215-6224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhihong Zeng ◽  
Yue Xi Shi ◽  
Ismael J. Samudio ◽  
Rui-Yu Wang ◽  
Xiaoyang Ling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Bone Marrow Microenvironment ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Cxcr4 Signaling ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling plays a key role in leukemia/bone marrow microenvironment interactions. We previously reported that bone marrow–derived stromal cells inhibit chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here we demonstrate that the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3465 antagonized stromal-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α)–induced and stroma-induced chemotaxis and inhibited SDF-1α–induced activation of prosurvival signaling pathways in leukemic cells. Further, CXCR4 inhibition partially abrogated the protective effects of stromal cells on chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in AML cells. Fetal liver tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) gene mutations activate CXCR4 signaling, and coculture with stromal cells significantly diminished antileukemia effects of FLT3 inhibitors in cells with mutated FLT3. Notably, CXCR4 inhibition increased the sensitivity of FLT3-mutated leukemic cells to the apoptogenic effects of the FLT3 inhibitor sorafenib. In vivo studies demonstrated that AMD3465, alone or in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, induced mobilization of AML cells and progenitor cells into circulation and enhanced antileukemic effects of chemotherapy and sorafenib, resulting in markedly reduced leukemia burden and prolonged survival of the animals. These findings indicate that SDF-1α/CXCR4 interactions contribute to the resistance of leukemic cells to signal transduction inhibitor– and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in systems mimicking the physiologic microenvironment. Disruption of these interactions with CXCR4 inhibitors represents a novel strategy of sensitizing leukemic cells by targeting their protective bone marrow microenvironment.

Activity of Targeted Molecular Therapeutics Against Primary AML Cells: Putative Role of the Bone Marrow Microenvironment.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2304-2304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa McQueen ◽  
Marina Konopleva ◽  
Michael Andreeff
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Hematological Malignancies ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Mek Inhibitors ◽  
Molecular Therapeutics ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract In hematological malignancies, there are reciprocal interactions between leukemic cells and cells of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). It is speculated that specific BM niches may provide a sanctuary for subpopulations of leukemic cells to evade chemotherapy-induced death and allow acquisition of a drug-resistant phenotype. In this study, we compared anti-leukemia effects of Ara-C and various signal transduction and apoptosis inhibitors in a co-culture system of primary AML and human bone marrow-derived MSC. AML blasts from 11 primary AML samples with high (&gt;70%) blast count were co-cultured with MSC for 24 hours, after which they were exposed to the indicated concentrations of inhibitors for 48–96 hrs. Concentrations were selected on the basis of preliminary cell line studies which determined efficient inhibition of drug targets. Induction of apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V flow cytometry after gating on the CD90 APC(−) (non-MSC) population. MSC protected leukemic blasts from spontaneous apoptosis in all 11 samples studied (mean annexinV positivity, 49.5±7.2% vs 25.3±4.8%, p&lt;0.001) and from Ara-C-induced cytotoxicity in 6 out of 11 samples (p=0.02). No difference in the degree of protection was noted when MSC from older vs. younger donors were used (not shown). Co-culture of leukemic cells with MSC resulted in significant (p&lt;0.03) suppression of inhibitor-induced apoptosis for all agents tested (Table 1), however PI3K/AKT inhibitors seemed to overcome MSC-mediated resistance. In addition, specific inhibitors of Bcl-2 and MDM2 induced apoptosis not only in suspension, but also in the MSC co-culture system, while Raf-1/MEK inhibitors were less effective. The AKT inhibitor A443654 caused apoptosis induction not only in leukemic cells, but also in MSC, which likely accounted for its high efficacy in stromal co-cultures (53±6% annexin V+). In a different study (Tabe et al, ASH 2005), we report that interactions of leukemic and BM stromal cells result in the activation of PI3K/ILK/AKT signaling in both, leukemic and stromal cells. We therefore propose that disruption of these interactions by specific PI3K/AKT inhibitors represents a novel therapeutic approach to eradicate leukemia in the BM microenvironment via direct effects on leukemic cells and by targeting activated BM stromal cells. Furthermore, Bcl-2 and MDM2 inhibitors appear to retain their efficacy in stroma-cocultured AML cells, while the efficacy of chemotherapy and Raf/MEK inhibitors in these conditions may be reduced. Further studies are aimed at the elucidation of the role of the BM microenvironment and its ability to activate specific signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of leukemias and on efforts to disrupt the MSC/leukemia interaction (Zeng et al, ASH 2005). Focus on this stroma-leukemia-stroma crosstalk may result in the development of strategies that enhance the efficacy of therapies in hematological malignancies and prevent the acquisition of a chemoresistant phenotype. Table 1. Leukemia Cell Apoptosis in a MSC/AML Co-Culture System Target Bcl-2/XL MDM2 PI3K AKT Raf-1 MEK Apoptosis was determined as percentage of Annexin V(+)CD90(−) cells, and calculated by the formula: % specific apoptosis = (test − control) x 100 / (100 − control). Compound, concentration Ara-C, 1 μM ABT-737, 0.1 μM Nutlin-3A, 2.5 μM LY294002, 10 μM A443654, 1 μM BAY43-9006, 2.5 μM CI1040, 3 μM AML 28±7 69±7 45±7 53.8±13.3 75±7 35±11 27±11 AML + MSC 16±4 38±6 28±6 31.2±6.9 53±6 18±8 15±5

The Requirement of Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in the Apoptosis of Leukemia Cells Induced by 2-Methoxyestradiol.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 4370-4370
Author(s):  
Guo Kunyuan ◽  
Miaorong She ◽  
Haiyan Hu ◽  
Xinqing Niu ◽  
Sanfang Tu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Oxygen Species ◽  
Leukemia Cell ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Species Generation ◽  
Reactive Oxygen ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Leukemia Cells ◽  
Ros Generation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is a new anticancer agent currently under investigation for treatment of leukemia. We evaluated the effects of 2-ME-induced apoptosis in two myeloid leukemia cell lines (U937 and HL-60) in association with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. We found that 2-ME resulted in viability decrease in a dose-dependent manner, generated ROS: nitric oxide and superoxide anions, and mitochondria damage. 2-ME-induced apoptosis correlated with increase in ROS. Quenching of ROS with N-acetyl-L-cysteine protected leukemia cells from the cytotoxicity of 2-ME and prevented apoptosis induction by 2-ME. Furthermore, addition of manumycin, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, demonstrated by our previous studies that induced apoptosis of leukemic cells and induced ROS, significantly enhanced the apoptosis-induced by 2-ME. In conclusion, cellular ROS generation play an important role in the cytotoxic effect of 2-ME. It is possible to use ROS-generation agents such as manumycin to enhance the antileukemic effect. Such a combination strategy need the further in vivo justify and may have potential clinical application.

Mode of Action of the SDF-1/CXCL12 Inhibiting Spiegelmer® Nox-A12 and Its Impact On Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Cell Motility and Chemosensitization

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 318-318
Author(s):  
Dirk Zboralski ◽  
Julia Hoellenriegel ◽  
Christian Maasch ◽  
Anna Kruschinski ◽  
Jan A. Burger
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Leukemia Cell ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoid Tissues ◽  
Cell Trafficking ◽  
Dependent Manner

Abstract Abstract 318 NOX-A12 is a novel Spiegelmer®-based antagonist of SDF-1/CXCL12, a chemokine involved in the regulation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cell trafficking. Spiegelmers® are mirror-image oligonucleotides that are identified to specifically bind to proteins in a manner conceptually similar to antibodies. Unlike aptamers, however, Spiegelmers® are built from the non-natural L-isomer form of nucleotides which confers resistance to the action of nucleases and avoids potential immunogenicity. CXCL12 is constitutively secreted and presented by bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) via glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and acts as a homing factor for normal and malignant hematopoietic cells to the bone marrow (BM) and secondary lymphoid tissues via CXCR4 receptors that are expressed at high levels on circulating CLL cells. The microenvironment in the BM and secondary lymphoid tissues, in particular the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis, favors survival and chemotherapy-resistance of leukemic cells. We therefore investigated the effects of NOX-A12 in an in vitro co-culture system to model the interaction of CLL cells with their microenvironment. Surprisingly we observed that NOX-A12 increased pseudoemperipolesis in vitro, i.e. spontaneous leukemia cell migration beneath BMSC. Interestingly, this NOX-A12 induced trans-migration of CLL cells was completely inhibited by the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, suggesting a CXCL12/CXCR4 dependent mechanism. We postulated that this observation might result from a direct effect of NOX-A12 on CXCL12 release by the stromal cells. Therefore, we investigated this hypothesis in different BMSC lines (MS-5, R15C, and TSt-4) and we found that NOX-A12 induced a significant CXCL12 release in all three tested cell lines. We asked whether this NOX-A12 dependent increase of CXCL12 of BMSCs is due to release from either intracellular or extracellular storages. Intracellular staining of CXCL12 using flow cytometry did not reveal significant changes when BMSCs were incubated with NOX-A12. Furthermore, the transcription of CXCL12 was not found to be altered after NOX-A12 incubation over a period of three days as shown by quantitative RT-PCR. Rather, CXCL12 is released from extracellular storages of BMSCs. First hints were obtained through a rapid CXCL12 release within five minutes of incubation with NOX-A12. To confirm that CXCL12 is bound to the extracellular surface (by GAGs like heparin) and is being detached by NOX-A12 we first incubated BMSCs with NOX-A12, followed by a wash step and the addition of recombinant CXCL12. Recombinant CXCL12 was bound by BMSCs that were pre-incubated with NOX-A12 but not with a non-functional control (revNOX-A12), indicating that NOX-A12 strips off CXCL12. To corroborate the findings we incubated the BMSCs with heparin which also led to the release of CXCL12 in a dose dependent manner. Of note, the EC50 of heparin regarding CXCL12 release was much higher compared to the EC50 of NOX-A12 (≈ 12 μM vs. 5 nM) revealing the high affinity of NOX-A12 to CXCL12. The competition of NOX-A12 with heparin regarding CXCL12 binding was confirmed by Biacore experiments. Based on these findings, we developed a novel adapted co-culture approach to examine the ability of NOX-A12 to chemosensitize CLL cells. In this setting, we first strip off CXCL12 from BMSCs by NOX-A12 and subsequently add CLL cells which will be either non-treated or treated with chemotherapy (fludarabine combined with bendamustine). We found that NOX-A12 slightly decreased CLL cell viability. As expected, a strong viability decrease was observed with chemotherapy, which could be even further decreased by the combination with NOX-A12, suggesting synergistic effects. In conclusion, we propose that NOX-A12's mode of action is the release of extracellular bound CXCL12 and its subsequent inhibition. Since CXCL12 induces leukemia cell trafficking and homing to tissue microenvironment and also favors leukemia cell survival, we believe that targeting CXCL12 is an attractive approach to remove the protective effects of CXCL12-secreting BMSCs in order to sensitize CLL cells for subsequent chemotherapy. Thus, NOX-A12 represents a very promising agent to significantly improve the treatment of CLL. The compound is currently being tested in a Phase IIa study in relapsed CLL patients. Disclosures: Zboralski: NOXXON Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany: Employment. Maasch:NOXXON Pharma AG: Employment. Kruschinski:NOXXON Pharma AG: Employment. Burger:NOXXON Pharma AG: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Inhibition Of PI3K Classia Kinases Using GDC0941 Overcomes Protection Of Multiple Myeloma Cells In The Bone Marrow Microenvironment

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 3169-3169
Author(s):  
Hugh Kikuchi ◽  
Amofa Eunice ◽  
Maeve McEnery ◽  
Farzin Farzaneh ◽  
Stephen A Schey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Bone Resorption ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Pi3k Pathway ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dose Dependent

Abstract Despite of newly developed and more efficacious therapies, multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable as most patient will eventually relapse and become refractory. The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment provides niches that are advantageous for drug resistance. Effective therapies against MM should ideally target the various protective BM niches that promote MM cell survival and relapse. In addition to stromal mesenchymal/myofibroblastic cells, osteoclasts play a key supportive role in MM cell viability. Additionally, 80% of patients develop osteolytic lesions, which is a major cause of morbidity. Increased osteoclast activity is characteristic in these patients and targeting osteoclast function is desirable to improve therapies against MM. Osteoclasts need to form an F-actin containing ring along the cell margin that defines a resorbing compartment where protons and degradative enzymes are secreted for dissolution of bone mineral. Remodelling of F-actin and vesicle secretion are regulated by the class IA PI3K pathway during osteoclastic bone resorption. Additionally, it has recently been shown that inhibition of the class IA PI3K pathway in MM cells with GDC0941 induces apoptosis-mediated killing. We hypothesised that GDC0941 could be used as a therapeutic agent to overcome MM-induced osteoclast activation. GDC0941 inhibited maturation of osteoclasts derived from BM aspirates from MM patients in a dose dependent manner. This correlated with decreased bone resorption of osteoclasts cultured on dentine discs. Exposure of mature osteoclasts to GC0941 resulted in abnormal organisation of larger F-actin rings, suggesting a negative effect on the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton required for bone resorption. We also found that GDC-0941 can prevent protection of the MM cell lines MM1.S and MM1.R by osteoclasts against killing. GDC-0941 alone blocked MM cell proliferation independently of the presence of BM stromal cells and synergised with other therapeutic agents including Lenalidomide, Pomalidomide, Bortezomid and Dexamethasone. We also found that in the presence of MM cells, Dexamethasone (a drug commonly used alone or in combination with new drugs against MM) induced the proliferation of BM stromal cells and adhesion of MM cells on this protective stroma in a dose dependent manner. Dexamethasone is highly effective at MM cell killing when cells are cultured alone. However, we found that at low doses (below 1 uM) and in the presence of BM stromal cells, Dexamethasone could induce MM cell proliferation. GDC0941 enhanced Dexamethasone killing even in the presence of BM stromal cells by blocking Dexamethasone-induced stromal cell proliferation and adhesion of MM cells on the stroma. Targeting individual the PI3K Class IA isoforms alpha, beta, delta or gamma proved to be a less efficient strategy to enhance Dexamethasone killing. Previous work has shown that efficacy of targeting individual PI3K Class I A isoforms would be low for activation of caspases in MM cells as it would be dependent on relative amounts of isoforms expressed by the MM patient. GDC-0941 also inhibited the proliferation of MM1.R and RPMI8266 MM cell lines, which are less sensitive to treatment to Dexamethasone. Co-culture of MM cells with BM stromal cells induced the secretion of IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP1-alpha. The dose-dependant increased proliferation of Dexamethasone-treated MM cells in the presence of the BM stroma correlated with the pattern of secretion of IL-10 (a cytokine that can induce B-cell proliferation) and this was blocked by the combination of Dexamethasone with GDC0941. GDC-0941 alone or in combination with Dexamethasone was more efficacious at inducing MM cell apoptosis in the presence of the BM stroma cells vs treatment of MM cells alone. These are very encouraging results as they suggest that GDC-0941 in combination with Dexamethasone would be potentially highly efficacious for targeting MM cells in the BM microenvironment. We are currently performing in vivo data using C57BL/KaLwRij mice injected with 5T33-eGFP MM cells that will be discussed at the meeting. We propose that MM patients with active bony disease may benefit from treatment with GDC0941 alone or in combination with currently used therapeutic drugs against MM. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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