TEL-AML1 Affects the Regulation of Cytoskeleton and Causes Alteration In Cellular Adhesive and Migratory Properties In An In Vitro Model of Pre-Leukemia.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3624-3624
Author(s):  
Chiara Palmi ◽  
Grazia Fazio ◽  
Ilaria Brunati ◽  
Valeria Cazzaniga ◽  
Valentina André ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Calcium Flux ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Childhood Leukaemia

Abstract Abstract 3624 Introduction: The t(12;21) chromosome translocation generating TEL-AML1 chimeric fusion gene is a frequent initiating event in childhood leukaemia. Its impact is to generate a clone of covert, clinically silent pre-leukemic B cell progenitors. The leukemia arises only following second, post-natal hit/genetic events occurring years later. Moreover, relapse of leukemia is frequently arising from the pre-leukemic clone. Aim of our study is to investigate how TEL-AML1 expression can sustain this covert condition for many years. In a recent paper we described that the fusion gene rendered the B precursors resistant to the inhibitory activity of TGFbeta. Here we want to inquire into other factors that can explain the positive selection of the pre-leukemic clones over the normal counterpart. In particular, given the importance of the interaction with the microenvironment for survival signals for normal and leukemic stem cells, we question if the fusion gene causes changes in cellular adhesive and migratory properties. Methods: the study was performed by using two different models: i) a TEL-AML1 inducible expression system on the murine pro-B Ba/F3 cell line and ii) murine primary B lymphocytes (pre-BI cells) isolated from fetal liver, stably transduced with the pMIGR1-TEL-AML1-IRES-GFP construct. Gene expression assays were performed by using TaqMan (Applied Biosystems) and PCR Array technologies (SABioscences). Results: The expression of TEL-AML1 in Ba/F3 cell line causes over-expression of genes regulators of the cytoskeleton, specifically involved in cellular movement and in the regulation of actin dynamics. This gene expression alteration results in changes in the cellular morphology and phenotype: the cells acquire long extensions and several molecules involved in cell adhesion and migration are disregulated. Moreover, the TEL-AML1 positive cells present an increased ability to adhere to the ICAM1 substrate, but they also show a significant defect in the chemotactic response to CXCL12 in transwell migration assays in vitro, although the expression and the recycling of CXCR4 receptor are unaffected. This inability is not due to defects to migrate in general, as spontaneous motility is enhanced, but it is associated with a defect in CXCR4 signaling. In particular, CXCL12 calcium flux and ERK phosphorylation were inhibited. Those results have been confirmed in murine PreBI primary cells. Conclusions: in our murine models, TEL-AML1 affects the cytoscheleton regulation and causes alteration in cellular adhesive and migratory properties. We are now investigating how these alterations can give advantages to the pre-leukemic cells in the pathogenesis of TEL-AML1–expressing leukemia. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Unique Effects of p53−/− Leukemic Cells On Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Gene Expression Profile in Vitro

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3468-3468
Author(s):  
Xiaoyang Ling ◽  
Ye Chen ◽  
Peter P. Ruvolo ◽  
Vivian Ruvolo ◽  
Zhiqiang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Stromal Cell ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow Niche ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Cell Gene Expression

Abstract Abstract 3468 Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) participate in the generation of the microenvironmental bone marrow niche which protects normal and leukemic stem cells from injuries, including chemotherapy. MSC produce numerous factors that aid in this function; however, little is known about how leukemic cells affect MSC. In this study, paired murine AML cells, MLL/ENL/FIT3-ITD/p53−/− and MLL/ENL/FIT3-ITD/p53wt, originally derived from C57BL/6 mice (Zuber et al. Genes & Dev. 2009), were co-cultured with MSC from the same strain. After 48 hrs, MSC were isolated by FACS sorting using CD45−/PDGFr+ as markers. Total RNA was profiled on Illumina WG6 mouse whole-genome bead arrays by standard procedures. The significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) method identified 429 differentially-expressed genes (DEG) whose expression in MSC differed significantly (false discovery rate, 10%) in co-cultures with p53−/− (C78) vs. p53wt (C147) leukemic cells. Differences in these DEG were highly consistent in replicates (Figure 1). The results demonstrate that: 1) p53 status (p53−/− vs. p53wt) of AML cells affects GEP patterns in co-cultured MSC. Comparison of the GEP in MSC co-cultured with p53−/− (78) or p53wt (147) (Fig 1) identified the following 5 genes that showed the most significant differences (up- or down-regulated): up-regulated: WNT16, WNT5, IGFBp5, GCNT1, ATP1B1; down-regulated: NOS2, DCN, CCL7, CCL2, CAR9, CCL4. These were selected for qPCR validation, and the results confirmed the array data. In addition, immunohistochemical staining showed that WNT16 was up-regulated in MSC co-cultured with p53wt leukemic cells. In addition, CXCL5 was found up-regulated in MSC co-cultured with p53−/− leukemic cells. These results were consistent with the GEP data. 2) Leukemic cells alter MSC Signaling proteins in vitro: Western blotting showed that Stat3, Akt, PTEN, CXCL5 and HIF-1α were up- regulated in MSC co-cultured with p53−/− leukemic cells as compared to p53wt leukemic cells (48 hrs). Additional analyses showed that the downstream targets of HIF-1α, VEGFa and VEGFc, but not VEGFb, were up-regulated. Taken together, these results suggest that 1) leukemic cells with different p53 genetic background co-cultured with normal MSC have profoundly differential effects on GEP of normal MSC; 2) MSC co-cultured with p53−/− leukemic cells resulted in increased levels of onco-proteins such as Akt and HIF-1α when compared to MSC co-cultured with p53wt leukemic cells. Results suggest, for the first time, that the genetics of leukemic cells determines gene expression in co-cultured MSC. In vivo experiments are in progress to provide in vivo evidence for the existence of a novel model of leukemia-stroma interactions where the genetics of the tumor cell impacts stromal cell biology. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

In Vitro Effect Of VPA Together With ATRA and Ara-C On Proliferation and Viability Of Pediatric AML Cell Line THP-1

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4924-4924
Author(s):  
Sema Anak ◽  
Ayca Gul Kanbay ◽  
Cagri Gulec
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Bipolar Disorders ◽  
Mood Stabilizer ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
Pediatric Aml ◽  
Vitro Effect

Abstract In addition to its HDAC inhibitory property, Valproic acid is also known as anticonvulsant agent and mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorders. Due to its HDAC inhibitory activity and its safety in long-term usage, VPA is presumed to be a good candidate for cancer treatment. It is known that VPA induces apoptosis in leukemic cells, while not in normal cells. VPA is reported as an effective agent in treatment of pediatric AML in clinical studies and  is also well tolerated in children. In this study, the in vitro effect of the combination of HDAC inhibitor VPA with Ara-C and ATRA which are used in AML therapy, is investigated on AML cells. For this purpose, the effect of VPA, Ara-C and ATRA on proliferation of AML cell line THP-1 is tested in cell culture condition. To assess the effect on cell proliferation, p21 expression was measured by RT-PCR method. The use of VPA alone, did not affect the cell viability, while increasing the expression of the p21 gene. VPA in combination with Ara-C, increased the expression of p21 gene more than the other combinations. Thus it is determined that the p21 gene expression is higher as a result of known cell cycle stops. In this study, the understanding of how effective is VPA together with ATRA and/or Ara-C on AML cells, might be a good start for animal studies and clinical trials as a remarkable data for the development of new chemotherapeutic protocols. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

PML-RARα Deregulates an Unexpectedly Small Number of Genes in Pre-Leukemic Promyelocytes

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3526-3526
Author(s):  
Coline M Gaillard ◽  
Taku A Tokuyasu ◽  
Emmanuelle Passegué ◽  
Scott C. Kogan
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Cytokine Signaling ◽  
Proliferation Capacity ◽  
Number Of Genes

Abstract Abstract 3526 Background: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) is characterized by the accumulation in the blood and bone marrow of abnormal promyelocytes, which have the ability to transfer the disease to secondary recipients in animal models. The PML-RARα fusion protein is thought to be the primary abnormality implicated in the pathology, and is believed to prevent transcription of genes necessary for normal myeloid development and differentiation. Identifying PML-RARα targets is critical for understanding the road to leukemic transformation. However, such targets have so far been identified using cell line assays in vitro, murine cells differentiated into promyelocytes in vitro, or fully transformed murine or human leukemic cells. Focusing on the cell population in which the transforming potential is acquired, we describe here a novel strategy to identify the transcriptomic dysregulation induced by PML-RARα expression in maturing myeloid populations in vivo. Methods: We utilize a murine model of human APL in which the human PML-RARα fusion gene is expressed under the control of the MRP8 promoter, driving its expression in maturing myeloid populations. Those animals can be described as pre-leukemic since they eventually develop leukemia when additional mutations occur. Fresh bone marrows from normal (Fvb/n) or pre-leukemic (PML-RARα) animals were harvested. Using an improved cell surface antigen staining strategy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting, three populations of increasingly differentiated myeloid populations have been sorted (Granulocyte Macrophage Progenitor, Early promyelocyte and Late promyelocyte). RNA was extracted and submitted for whole-genome microarray analysis. In addition, we are using a variety of bioinformatics approaches to decipher the network of novel interactions driven by PML-RARα expression. Results: Markers used in our sorting strategy were validated in the dataset, including CD34 and Gr1. In the normal samples, markers of neutrophil maturation increased, largely as expected, and a number of early transcription factors decreased in an expected manner including Hoxa9 and Meis1. One remarkable finding was that despite the previously described ability of PML-RARα to regulate transcription from multiple sites in the genome, only a small number of genes were differentially impacted by the expression of this protein. Surprisingly, well-known regulators of myeloid differentiation that have been implicated in the retinoic acid responsiveness of APL including Sfpi1 (PU.1) and Cebpa were not differentially expressed. However, in pre-leukemic samples PML-RARα did cause decreased expression of multiple neutrophilic granule genes including Ltf, Mmp9 and Ngp. The gene most upregulated in the pre-leukemic samples was Spp1 which encodes the osteopontin phosphoprotein. Of interest, we identified the myeloid tumor suppressor Irf8 to be downregulated 5 fold in the presence of PML-RARα. To investigate the importance of IRF8 levels in APL initiation, we transplanted Irf8+/+ PML-RARα or Irf8+/− PML-RARα bone marrow into irradiated recipients. Despite the potential for decreased expression of IRF8 to contribute to APL, we observed no difference. This result does not confirm a role for IRF8 in APL pathogenesis, but further investigations are needed to exclude such a role. Bioinformatics studies highlighted enrichment in cell cycle-related genes upon PML-RARα expression, suggesting a possible difference in the proliferation capacity of the pre-leukemic cells, which is currently under investigation. Conclusions: We found that in vivo the transcriptome was only modestly dysregulated by the presence of PML-RARα. These observations open up new questions on the role of the fusion protein in pathogenesis: How does PML-RARα prime pre-leukemic cells for full transformation? How do secondary events allow an initiated cell to advance to a fully transformed state? Such questions are currently being investigated, with a special interest on looking at the cooperation between PML-RARα and activated cytokine signaling in leukemia initiation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals PHF6 Restricts AML Acceleration By Promoting Myeloid Differentiation Genes in Leukemic Cells

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 42-43
Author(s):  
Sapana S Jalnapurkar ◽  
Aishwarya Pawar ◽  
Patrick Somers ◽  
Gabrielle Ochoco ◽  
Subin S George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Median Survival ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Myeloid Differentiation ◽  
Molecular Function ◽  
Self Renewal

Acute myeloid leukemia is caused by the accumulation of mutations in hematopoietic stem and myeloid progenitor cells, resulting in increased self-renewal, inhibition of differentiation, and aberrant proliferation. Although genomic studies have comprehensively identified genes that are mutated in acute leukemias, the functional roles of many of them, and the consequences of their mutations, remain poorly understood. PHF6 (PHD-finger protein 6) is an X-linked gene that is mutated in 3.2% of de novo AML, 4.7% CMML, 3% MDS, and 1.6% CML patients. Two-thirds of somatic mutations in PHF6 are frameshift and nonsense mutations distributed throughout the gene body, resulting in loss of PHF6 protein. One-third of the mutations are point mutations clustered in the ePHD2 (extended PHD) domain, and the consequence of these mutations on PHF6 function is unknown. The functional role of PHF6 and the mechanism by which PHF6 mutations accelerate AML has not yet been determined. In this study, we delineate the cellular and molecular function of PHF6 in AML using in vitro and in vivo models. In agreement with recently published reports, we found that pan-hematopoietic deletion of Phf6 using the Vav-Cre recombinase system gave competitive transplantation advantage to HSCs, with sustained multi-lineage reconstitution without exhaustion over three rounds of serial transplantations, demonstrating that Phf6 represses HSC self-renewal. However, loss of Phf6 alone was insufficient to cause hematopoietic malignancy in the mouse model when monitored for one year. To determine the function of PHF6 in AML progression, we transduced cKO (Vav-Cre; Phf6 flox) or WT (Vav-Cre only) bone marrow cells with MSCV retrovirus expressing HOXA9 (WT+HOXA9 and cKO+HOXA9), and transplanted into irradiated recipient mice. The resulting HOXA9-driven AML was greatly accelerated in the Phf6 cKO background, with recipient mice succumbing faster (median survival 119 days) as compared to recipients transduced with HOXA9-transduced WT cells (median survival >180 days, p=0.003) (Fig 1A). This was also reflected by an increase in the number of circulating immature leukemic cells in peripheral blood at earlier timepoints. HOXA9-transduced cKO cells showed higher serial replating ability in an in vitro colony forming assay as compared with HOXA9-transduced WT cells (Fig 1B). We further investigated the molecular function of PHF6 using the THP-1 human AML cell line. PHF6 is a chromatin-binding protein with two ePHD domains, and its binding partners and pattern of chromatin occupancy are unclear. Using ChIP-Seq, we identified that PHF6 occupies enhancers, and its peaks show striking alignment with the peaks of the key myeloid transcription factors (TFs) RUNX1, PU.1, and IRF8 (Fig 1C). To assess the effect of the clinically relevant point mutation R274Q (in the ePHD2 domain) on the transcriptional effects produced by PHF6, we first generated a PHF6 KO clone from the THP-1 cell line, and then re-expressed either WT PHF6 or R274Q-mutant PHF6 in this KO line. Re-expression of WT PHF6 rescued the extensive gene expression changes produced by its knockout, but R274Q-mutant PHF6 was unable to produce any gene expression changes, indicating that it is a "transcriptionally dead" mutant (Fig 1D). Gene Ontology analysis of transcriptome changes induced by WT PHF6 showed that PHF6 promotes the expression of myeloid differentiation gene sets. In summary, PHF6 restricts AML progression by binding enhancers with key myeloid TFs, and promoting the expression of myeloid differentiation genes. R274Q mutation renders PHF6 unable to exert any downstream expression changes, indicating that the ePHD2 domain (where R274 is located, clustered with other amino acids showing point mutations in hematopoietic malignancies) is critical for PHF6 function, and likely mediates important functional interactions with chromatin partners. Our future work will involve dissection of the sequence of molecular events governed by PHF6 following enhancer occupancy, and the role of PHF6 in repressing AML self-renewal and promoting differentiation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Ribozyme-mediated inhibition of bcr-abl gene expression in a Philadelphia chromosome-positive cell line

Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 600-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
DS Snyder ◽  
Y Wu ◽  
JL Wang ◽  
JJ Rossi ◽  
P Swiderski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Blast Crisis ◽  
Philadelphia Chromosome ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
A Cell

Abstract The bcr-abl fusion gene is the molecular counterpart of the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) and is directly involved in the pathogenesis of Ph1+ leukemia. Inhibition of bcr-abl gene expression may have profound effects on the cell biology of Ph1+ cells, as recent experiments with antisense oligonucleotides have shown. In this study we have designed and synthesized a unique ribozyme that is directed against bcr-abl mRNA. The ribozyme cleaved bcr-abl mRNA in a cell-free in vitro system. A DNA-RNA hybrid ribozyme was then incorporated into a liposome vector and transfected into EM-2 cells, a cell line derived from a patient with blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia. The ribozyme decreased levels of detectable bcr-abl mRNA in these cells, inhibited expression of the bcr-abl gene product, p210bcr-abl, and inhibited cell growth. This anti-bcr-abl ribozyme may be a useful tool to study the cell biology of Ph1+ leukemia and may ultimately have therapeutic potential in treating patients with Ph1 leukemias.

Generation and characterization of U937-TR: a platform cell line for inducible gene expression in human macrophages

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (13) ◽  
pp. 1524-1531
Author(s):  
Cristian Camilo Galindo ◽  
Carlos Arturo Clavijo-Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Monocytes And Macrophages

AbstractMonocytes and macrophages are involved in a wide range of biological processes and parasitic diseases. The characterization of the molecular mechanisms governing such processes usually requires precise control of the expression of genes of interest. We implemented a tetracycline-controlled gene expression system in the U937 cell line, one of the most used in vitro models for the research of human monocytes and macrophages. Here we characterized U937-derived cell lines in terms of phenotypic (morphology and marker expression) and functional (capacity for phagocytosis and for Leishmania parasite hosting) changes induced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Finally, we provide evidence of tetracycline-inducible and reversible Lamin-A gene silencing of the PMA-differentiated U937-derived cells.

CD38 Regulates Homing and Engraftment of CLL Cells,

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3873-3873
Author(s):  
Tiziana Vaisitti ◽  
Sara Serra ◽  
Valentina Audrito ◽  
Chris Pepper ◽  
Davide Rossi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Proliferating Cells

Abstract Abstract 3873 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is considered the result of a dynamic balance between proliferating cells in lymphoid organs and circulating cells resisting apoptosis. Re-circulation of leukemic cells from blood to growth-permissive niches represents an essential step in the maintenance and progression of the disease. This equilibrium is finely tuned by a set of surface molecules expressed by CLL cells and modulated in response to environmental conditions. We previously reported that CD38, an enzyme and a receptor, functionally cooperates with the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis, enhancing the ability of CLL cells to home to bone marrow and lymph nodes. In addition, the use of anti-CD38 mAbs can enhance or impair the chemotactic behavior of the neoplastic cells. New evidence also indicates that CD38 synergizes with the CD49d integrin, increasing adhesion of CLL cells to VCAM-1 or the CS-1 fibronectin fragment, two known ligands of CD49d. To complete the picture, CD38 expression denotes a CLL subset with increased activity of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-9. Ligation of CD38 with specific antibodies increases MMP-9 secretion and the invasive properties of CLL cells, using in vitro assays. The effects on chemotaxis, adhesion and invasion are obtained through modulation of a ERK1/2-dependent pathway. To further confirm the involvement of CD38 in CLL homing to specific niches, in vivo experiments have been set using NOD/SCID/γ chain−/− (NSG) mice. The CLL-like cell line Mec-1, constitutively CD38−/CD49d+, was adopted as a model and compared to transfectants stably expressing wild-type (wt) CD38, as well a mutant lacking enzyme activities. Results after i.v. injections of tumor cells indicate that de novo expression of CD38 by Mec-1 cells increases growth kinetics in vivo with a higher proliferation rate and metastatic potential, as compared to the Mec-1 mock-trasfected cells. Both these features are lost when the animals are injected with the enzyme-deficient variant of CD38, suggesting that the enzymatic activity is critical for in vivo growth and re-circulation of Mec-1 cells. Microarray data confirm that the genetic signature of the CD38-enzyme mutant overlaps with the wild-type cell line, clearly distinct from cells transfected with CD38. The latter cell line shows up-modulation of several genes involved in chemotaxis and adhesion. All together, these results support the notion that CD38 is part of a complex network of molecules and signals, that regulate homing of CLL cells to growth-permissive niches, suggesting a relationship between the expression of CD38, the ability to migrate and invade and the poor clinical outcome of the CD38+ subset of patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Runx1 Is Required by the Inv(16) Fusion Gene Cbfb-MYH11.

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 2434-2434
Author(s):  
R. Katherine Hyde ◽  
Ling Zhao ◽  
Lemlem Alemu ◽  
Pu Paul Liu
Keyword(s):  
Chromosomal Abnormalities ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Brdu Incorporation ◽  
Promoter Assay ◽  
Primitive Hematopoiesis ◽  
Definitive Hematopoiesis

Abstract Abstract 2434 Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is often associated with specific, recurrent chromosomal abnormalities, such as the inversion of chromosome 16 (Inv(16)) which is associated with subtype M4 with eosinophilia. This inversion creates a fusion between CBFB and MYH11, which encode Core Binding Factor beta and Smooth Muscle Myosin Heavy Chain, respectively. The resulting fusion gene, CBFB-MYH11, is known to be the initiating factor in Inv(16) AML, but its mechanism is not clear. Previous studies indicated that repression of RUNX1 is a potential mechanism. However, we found that Cbfb-MYH11 has activities independent of Runx1 repression. During primitive hematopoiesis, we showed that expression of Cbfb-MYH11 in knockin mouse embryos (Cbfb+/MYH11) caused defects in differentiation that were not seen in embryos nullizygous for Runx1 (Runx1−/−), indicating that Cbfb-MYH11 has activities in addition to the repression of Runx1. Moreover, we found that the defects in the primitive hematopoiesis were rescued in the Cbfb+/MYH11; Runx1−/− embryos, which suggests that Runx1 is required for Cbfb-MYH11 activity during primitive hematopoiesis. We next asked whether Cbfb-MYH11 was similarly dependent on Runx1 during definitive hematopoiesis. For this purpose we used mice expressing another allele of Runx1 in which a 3'-truncated Runx1 is fused to the b-galactosidase gene, lacZ (Runx1lzd). This Runx1 allele has been reported to have dominant negative activities. Using an in vitro promoter assay, we found that co-expression of Cbfβ with Runx1 and Runx1-lzd resulted in decreased activation of the MCSFR promoter as compared to co-expressing Cbfβ and Runx1, indicating that Runx1-lzd has dominant negative activities. In addition, we found that expression of a single Runx1-lzd allele rescued the primitive blood defect in the Cbfb+/MYH11 embryos. Runx1+/lzd; Cbfb+/MYH11 embryos showed almost normal definitive hematopoiesis providing further evidence that Runx1-lzd has dominant negative activity. Previously we showed that induction of Cbfb-MYH11 results in a distinct population of pre-leukemic cells. By combining the Runx1-lzd allele with an inducible allele of Cbfb-MYH11, we examined the requirement for Runx1 activity in the production of pre-leukemic cells. We found that 7 days after induction of Cbfb-MYH11, Runx1+/lzd; Cbfb+/MYH11 mice showed a statistically significant decrease in the number of pre-leukemic cells as compared to Runx1+/+; Cbfb+/MYH11 mice. We also found a statistically significant decrease in BrdU incorporation in the bone marrow of Runx1+/lzd; Cbfb+/MYH11 mice as compared to Runx1+/+; Cbfb+/MYH11 mice. This indicates that Runx1 is important for Cbfb-MYH11 activity in adult hematopoietic cells. Consistent with this idea, we found that adult mice expressing Cbfb-MYH11 and the Runx1-lzd allele showed a significant delay in the development of leukemia as compared to their Cbfb+/MYH11; Runx1+/+ littermates. Collectively, this work implies that RUNX1 is important for CBFB-MYH11 activity and that inhibitors of RUNX1 have potential use for the treatment of Inv(16) leukemia. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Knockdown Of The Piwi - Like Protein 4 (PIWIL4) Delays Leukemic Growth and Is Associated With Gross Changes In The Global Histone Methylation Marks In Human MLL - Rearranged AML

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 597-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiva Bamezai ◽  
Medhanie M Mulaw ◽  
Fengbiao Zhou ◽  
Christian Rohde ◽  
Carsten Muller-Tidow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Complex Function ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Human Cord Blood ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Expression Levels

Abstract Piwi proteins belong to a class of proteins which were shown to be critically involved in the maintenance of the self-renewal property of stem cells in lower organisms. Furthermore, it was shown that they preserve genomic integrity through epigenetic silencing of transposable elements via CpG methylation and repressive histone modifications such as H3K9me3 in close interaction with a novel class of non-coding RNA called piRNA. So far there are neither precise data on the function of Piwi proteins in human acute myeloid leukemia, nor are there reports on expression of piRNAs in this disease. In a first step we tested PIWIL gene expression levels in normal human hematopoietic cells and leukemic patient samples by qRT-PCR. Among the family of human PIWI genes, PIWIL4 showed the highest expression level and was ubiquitously expressed in normal hematopoietic stem/progenitors, mature lymphoid and myeloid cells. Importantly, PIWIL4 showed aberrantly high expression in more than 72% of the AML patients (n=68; p< 0.0001) compared to normal CD34+ bone marrow (BM) and total BM cells (n=3). Notably, in nine of the ten MLL-AF9 rearranged AML patients, PIWIL4 was 64-fold higher expressed compared to normal CD34+ BM (p<0.0001) and 8-fold higher compared to inv(16), PML-RARa or cytogenetically normal AML patients (p<0.0001). To further validate this finding we analysed gene expression data performed on CD34+ human cord blood cells transduced with MLL-AF9 (n=9) vs AML-ETO (n=6) vs MYH11 (n=3): of note, PIWIL4 showed a 6 fold increase in expression in the MLL-AF9 transduced cells compared to the other experimental arms. Stable knockdown of PIWIL4 in the MLL rearranged AML cell lines MV4-11 (MLL-AF4) and THP-1 (MLL-AF9) significantly impaired growth in vitro (n=3) reducing proliferation and clonogenic growth by 83%/93% and 91%/93%, respectively. In addition, depletion of PIWIL4 delayed onset of leukemia in NSG mice transplanted with MV4-11/ THP-1 cells transduced with shPIWIL4 compared to the scrambled control (shRNA: AML onset 48/62d after transplantation vs. 30/30 days in the scrambled control; n=4/8 per arm; p< 0.0001/p<0.001). ChIP-seq analysis revealed that depletion of PIWIL4 in the THP1 cell line results in a marked global reduction in repressive H3K9me3 marks and in an increase in activating H3K4me3 marks as compared to cells transduced with the scrambled control. RNA-seq analyses revealed over 2500 differentially expressed genes upon PIWIL4 depletion with 60% of the genes being upregulated compared to the scrambled control (p<0.05). Among them genes involved in cell cycle such as RB1, P21, TGFB1 as well as epigenetic modifiers such as SETDB1, HDAC1,2 and demethylating enzyme TDG were differentially expressed. RB1 and EED, a protein necessary for PRC2 complex function, displayed an increase in expression and loss of H3K9me3 modifications on their promoters upon knockdown of PIWIL4. To prove piRNA expression in human AML and to test any association between PIWIL4 expression and piRNA signatures, microarray analyses covering 23,677 piRNAs was performed on the MLL-AF9 rearranged THP-1 cell line, of which 14193 piRNAs showed expression levels higher than 4 (arbitrary log2 scale). PIWIL4 knockdown induced differential expression of 981 piRNAs (p≤0.01, fold change ≥2), of which 527 were downregulated and 454 upregulated. Thus, collectively, we could show for the first time that PIWIL4 expression is deregulated in human AML, affects leukemic growth, shapes epigenetic marks and impacts piRNA expression in this disease. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Establishing a Novel in Vitro Informed Precision Clinical Trial Pathway for Refractory Pediatric Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2633-2633
Author(s):  
Chunfen Zhang ◽  
Ritul Sharma ◽  
Thakur Satbir ◽  
Allison Cheney ◽  
Olena Vaske ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Parp Cleavage ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Molecular Pathway ◽  
Cells In Culture

Introduction: In children diagnosed with leukemia, relapse and its associated morbidity and mortality remain the most dreaded consequences of the disease. Therefore, the discovery and implementation of novel and broadly applicable therapeutic strategies for these patients are urgently needed. Currently, a number of precision therapeutic approaches have been formulated where molecular analyses of the malignant cells have been used to inform, often multiple, probable targets and potential therapeutic agents. However, a common drawback of this approach has been the uncertainty involved in selecting the drug with the most and clinically relevant cytotoxic potential. In vitro xenograft approaches, although can provide key information on drug activity and side effects, are time consuming and impractical and cumbersome in most cases. We have recently demonstrated the ability of a bone marrow stromal derived cell line to sustain the growth and survival of patient leukemic cells in culture that has allowed in vitro evaluations of drug response.This methodology was combined with a previously validated molecular pathway analysis program to identify effective agents or combinations for a subsequent informed precision clinical trial. Methods: Gene expression profiles from refractory pediatric leukemic cells were analyzed against similar data from more than 12, 000 tumors and outlier analyses were carried out to generate a list of overexpressed genes. This information was computed to identify hypothetically activated pathways, druggable targets and potential agents from a panel of FDA approved drugs. A bone marrow stromal cell line was established and characterized that has been shown to support leukemia cell proliferation in vitro. Briefly, stromal cells were co-cultured with leukemic cells at pre-determined ratios with and without the drugs identified in the genomic analysis. After four days in culture, leukemic cells were re-suspended and analyzed for proliferation. Target modulation and activated cell death pathways were queried by Western blot analyses. Results: Multiple targets and potential agents for effective therapeutics were identified against an initial set of relapsed leukemia specimens. For example, in patient # P700491 (pre B-ALL) gene expression data sets revealed clustering within the area of ALL and AML in the reference cancer genomics data. Comparative tumor RNA seq outlier analysis showed molecular abnormalities in BTK, JAK3 and PIK3CD, corresponding to molecular categories of RTK, JAK-SAT and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathways targetable by the drugs Ibrutinib, WHI-P131 and Idelalisib, respectively. However, in vitro studies showed significant cell killing with Idelalisib and not with the other two agents. Target modulation assays showed effective induction of apoptosis including PARP cleavage in Idelalisib treated leukemia cells compared to controls, indicating the feasibility of this approach to effectively identify potentially applicable agents for this individual patient. Conclusions: We demonstrate the ability of a newly cloned bone marrow stromal derived cell line to sustain the growth and survival of patient leukemic cells in culture that has allowed in vitro target modulation and target validation analyses for cytotoxicity. This methodology was combined with a previously demonstrated molecular pathway interrogation program to ascertain effective agents or combinations for an experimentally informed precision clinical trial. Importantly, our data showed that genomically identified actionable targets are not universally predictive of tumor response and an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis step may enhance the accuracy of this approach. We describe the practical advantages and versatility of this work-flow to inform the selection of agents in future umbrella trials. It is anticipated that the information obtained will lead to an applicable clinical trial the near future. Disclosures Narendran: Bayer: Honoraria, Other: CANTRK Advisory Board .

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