Direct Activation of STAT5 by TEL-Lyn Fusion Protein Promotes Induction of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms with Myelofibrosis

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 4114-4114
Author(s):  
Yusuke Takeda ◽  
Chiaki Nakaseko ◽  
Hiroaki Tanaka ◽  
Masahiro Takeuchi ◽  
Makiko Yui ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4114 Background Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), a group of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) disorders, are often accompanied by myelofibrosis. The V617F somatic mutation in the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene has recently been found in the majority of patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and more than half of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF). The expression of JAK2 V617F causes a PV-like disease with myelofibrosis in a murine bone marrow (BM) transplant model. In addition, a gain-of-function c-MPL W515 mutation was described in nearly 10% of patients with JAK2 V617F-negative IMF. However, the mechanism responsible for MPD and the formation of myelofibrosis in patients without JAK2 or c-MPL mutations is still unclear. We previously identified the fusion of the TEL gene to the Lyn gene (TEL-Lyn) in idiopathic myelofibrosis with ins(12;8)(p13;q11q21). The introduction of TEL-Lyn into HSCs resulted in fatal MPN with massive myelofibrosis in mice, implicating the rearranged Lyn kinase in the pathogenesis of MPN with myelofibrosis. However, the signaling molecules directly downstream from and activated by TEL-Lyn remain unknown. Design and Methods We examined the signaling pathways activated by TEL-Lyn by Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and in vitro kinase assay using a TEL-Lyn kinase-dead mutant as a control. We further characterized the functional properties of Stat5-deficient HSCs transduced with TEL-Lyn by colony-forming assay and bone marrow transplantation to evaluate the role of STAT5 in TEL-Lyn-induced MPN. Results TEL-Lyn was demonstrated to be constitutively active as a kinase through autophosphorylation. In TEL-Lyn-expressing cells, STAT5, STAT3, and Akt were constitutively activated. Among these signaling molecules, STAT5 was activated most prominently and this occurred without the activation of Jak2, the major kinase for STAT5. TEL-Lyn was co-immunoprecipitated with STAT5, and STAT5 was phosphorylated when incubated with TEL-Lyn, but not with TEL-Lyn kinase-dead mutant. These results indicate that TEL-Lyn interacts with STAT5 and directly activates STAT5 both in vitro and in vivo. Of note, the capacity of TEL-Lyn to support the formation of hematopoietic colonies under cytokine-free conditions in vitro and to induce MPN with myelofibrosis in vivo was profoundly attenuated in a Stat5-null background. Conclusions In this study, we clearly showed that TEL-Lyn directly activates STAT5 and the capacity of TEL-Lyn to induce MPN with myelofibrosis was profoundly attenuated in the absence of STAT5. Our findings of TEL-Lyn in this study support the role of the Src family kinases in the regulation of STAT pathways and implicate active Lyn in the alternative pathway for STAT activation in pathological cytokine signaling. Our mouse model of MPD with myelofibrosis would be beneficial for the analysis of therapeutic approaches for myelofibrosis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1781-1781
Author(s):  
Alessandro Malara ◽  
Cristian Gruppi ◽  
Vittorio Abbonante ◽  
Daniele Cattaneo ◽  
Luigi De Marco ◽  
...  

Abstract Fibronectin (FN) is a glycoprotein of approximately 220 kDa, whose mRNA has three alternative splicing sites (termed EDA, EDB and IIICS) that allow 20 different isoforms of FN mRNA. Circulating plasma FN lacks both EDA and EDB segments and is a soluble form secreted by the hepatocytes, while cellular FN contains variable proportions of EDA and EDB segments and is organized as fibrils in the tissue matrix. FN containing EDA segment (EDA FN) presents unique biochemical properties as compared to the isoform lacking this domain, specifically: 1) pro-fibrotic, as the EDA-containing isoform becomes predominantly expressed during wound healing to sustain myofibroblast differentiation; 2) pro-inflammatory, as inclusion of EDA domain activates Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4), involved in the defense of the innate immune response following recognition of pathogens associated molecular patterns resulting in NF-κβ-dependent cytokine release; 3) pro-thrombotic, as EDA FN was shown to promote agonist-induced platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in vivo through TLR4 dependent mechanisms. EDA FN is instrumental in fibrogenesis but, to date, its expression and function in bone marrow (BM) fibrosis have not been explored. We identified the up-regulation, at both molecular and protein levels, of EDA FN in an experimental mouse model of BM fibrosis treated with supra-pharmacological doses of the thrombopoietin (TPO) mimetic Romiplostim (TPOhigh). Higher expression levels of EDA FN were detected in endothelial and stromal cells after inducing experimental fibrosis in wild type (WT) mice as compared to untreated controls. To unravel the role of EDA segment on the progression of BM fibrosis in vivo, we exploited two unique transgenic mouse models that present an aberrant splicing of the EDA exon. Mice with constitutive inclusion of EDA exon (EIIIA+/+), in tissues, were more prone to BM fibrosis development as compared to knockout mice (EIIIA-/-). Upon fibrosis induction with TPO mimetic treatment, EIIIA+/+ mice presented extensive reticulin deposition, thrombocytosis, splenomegaly and increased extra-medullary hematopoiesis. Applying numerous in vitro methods, we demonstrated that EDA FN as opposed to plasma FN lacking the EDA domain, induces megakaryocyte (Mk) proliferation in a TPO-independent fashion through engagement of TLR4 and activation of STAT5 and ERK 1/2 signalling pathways. Additionally, in vitro activation of EDA FN/TLR4 axis on Mks resulted in lipopolysaccharide-like responses, such as NF-kb activation, the release of pro-fibrotic Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and no anti-fibrotic TNF-a. Pharmacological inhibition of TLR4 in TPOhigh and EIIIA+/+/TPOhigh mice or TLR4 deletion in TPOhigh mice abrogated Mk hyperplasia, BM fibrosis, IL-6 release, extramedullary hematopoiesis and splenomegaly. Finally, developing a novel ELISA assay, we analysed samples from patients affected by primary myelofibrosis (PMF). PMF is one of the Philadelphia-negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs), a group of heterogeneous clonal disorders affecting the hematopoietic stem cell. MPNs are characterised by neoplastic proliferation of the myeloid lineage leading to an abnormal increase of platelet count in essential thrombocythemia (ET), red blood cells in polycythemia vera (PV), or Mks with BM fibrosis in primary myelofibrosis (PMF). To date, three major driver mutations have been identified affecting, respectively, the TPO receptor gene (MPL), the intracellular Janus Kinase 2 gene (JAK2) and the latest discovered mutations affecting the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) molecular chaperone calreticulin gene (CALR). All of these mutations induce a permanent activation of the JAK/STAT signalling pathways. We found that the EDA FN is increased in plasma and BM biopsies of PMF patients, as compared to healthy controls and ET patients, correlating with the fibrotic phase. In conclusion, we identified EDA FN/TLR4 as a new pathological axis that sustains Mk expansion and inflammation during BM fibrosis progression. EDA FN and TLR4 targeting has very promising potential for new therapeutic approaches in PMF patients with high phase BM fibrosis. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Author(s):  
Gleb Nikolaevich Zyuz’kov ◽  
Larisa Arkad`evna Miroshnichenko ◽  
Elena Vladislavovna Simanina ◽  
Larisa Alexandrovna Stavrova ◽  
Tatyana Yur`evna Polykova

Abstract Objectives The development of approaches to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases caused by alcohol abuse by targeted pharmacological regulation of intracellular signaling transduction of progenitor cells of nerve tissue is promising. We studied peculiarities of participation of NF-кB-, сАМР/РКА-, JAKs/STAT3-, ERK1/2-, p38-pathways in the regulation of neural stem cells (NSC) and neuronal-committed progenitors (NCP) in the simulation of ethanol-induced neurodegeneration in vitro and in vivo. Methods In vitro, the role of signaling molecules (NF-кB, сАМР, РКА, JAKs, STAT3, ERK1/2, p38) in realizing the growth potential of neural stem cells (NSC) and neuronal-committed progenitors (NCP) in ethanol-induced neurodegeneration modeled in vitro and in vivo was studied. To do this, the method of the pharmacological blockade with the use of selective inhibitors of individual signaling molecules was used. Results Several of fundamental differences in the role of certain intracellular signaling molecules (SM) in proliferation and specialization of NSC and NCP have been revealed. It has been shown that the effect of ethanol on progenitors is accompanied by the formation of a qualitatively new pattern of signaling pathways. Data have been obtained on the possibility of stimulation of nerve tissue regeneration in ethanol-induced neurodegeneration by NF-кB and STAT3 inhibitors. It has been found that the blockage of these SM stimulates NSC and NCP in conditions of ethanol intoxication and does not have a «negative» effect on the realization of the growth potential of intact progenitors (which will appear de novo during therapy). Conclusions The results may serve as a basis for the development of fundamentally new drugs to the treatment of alcoholic encephalopathy and other diseases of the central nervous system associated with alcohol abuse.


1993 ◽  
Vol 16 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Vannucchi ◽  
A. Bosi ◽  
A. Grossi ◽  
S. Guidi ◽  
R. Saccardi ◽  
...  

The issue of the role of erythropoietin (Epo) in the erythroid reconstitution after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has been addressed in several recent studies. A defective Epo production in response to anemia has been shown to occur in patients undergoing allogeneic BMT unlike in most of those subjected to an autologous rescue. The factors involved in the inadeguate Epo production in BMT are discussed, with particular attention to the role of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin-A, which has been shown to inhibit Epo production in both in vivo and in vitro models. The observation of defective Epo production eventually led to the development of clinical trials of recombinant human Epo (rhEpo) administration in BMT patients; the aims of these studies were to stimulate erythroid engraftment, hence reducing blood transfusion exposure. Although the number of patients studied up to now is relatively small, a benefit from rhEpo administration in terms of accelerated erythroid engraftment seems very likely, and it may also be associated with decreased transfusional needs in most treated patients. However, further studies are needed to better define indications, dosages and schedules of rhEpo in BMT patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao-Cheng Wu ◽  
Jia-Shiong Chen ◽  
Chao-Hung Wang ◽  
Po-Hsun Huang ◽  
Feng-Yen Lin ◽  
...  

AbstractVascular progenitors such as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and smooth muscle-like progenitor cells (SMPCs) may play different roles in vascular repair. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is an exogenous activator of heme oxygenase (HO)-1, which has been suggested to improve vascular repair; however, the detailed mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate whether GBE can modulate different vascular progenitor cells by activating HO-1 for vascular repair. A bone marrow transplantation mouse model was used to evaluate the in vivo effects of GBE treatment on wire-injury induced neointimal hyperplasia, which is representative of impaired vascular repair. On day 14 of GBE treatment, the mice were subjected to wire injury of the femoral artery to identify vascular reendothelialization. Compared to the mice without treatment, neointimal hyperplasia was reduced in the mice that received GBE treatment for 28 days in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, GBE treatment increased bone marrow-derived EPCs, accelerated endothelial recovery, and reduced the number of SMPCs attached to vascular injury sites. The effects of GBE treatment on neointimal hyperplasia could be abolished by co-treatment with zinc protoporphyrin IX, an HO-1 inhibitor, suggesting the in vivo role of HO-1. In this in vitro study, treatment with GBE activated human early and late EPCs and suppressed SMPC migration. These effects were abolished by HO-1 siRNA and an HO-1 inhibitor. Furthermore, GBE induced the expression of HO-1 by activating PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling in human late EPCs and via p38 pathways in SMPCs, suggesting that GBE can induce HO-1 in vitro through different molecular mechanisms in different vascular progenitor cells. Accordingly, GBE could activate early and late EPCs, suppress the migration of SMPCs, and improve in vivo vascular repair after mechanical injury by activating HO-1, suggesting the potential role of pharmacological HO-1 activators, such as GBE, for vascular protection in atherosclerotic diseases.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 5256-5256
Author(s):  
Doug Cipkala ◽  
Kelly McQuown ◽  
Lindsay Hendey ◽  
Michael Boyer

Abstract The use of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) has been attempted experimentally with various tumors to achieve disease control. Factors that may influence GVT include CTL cytotoxicity, ability to home to disease sites, and survival of T cells in the host. The objective of our study is to evaluate the GVL effects of human alloreactive CTL against ALL in a chimeric NOD/scid mouse model. CTL were generated from random blood donor PBMCs stimulated with the 697 human ALL cell line and supplemented with IL-2, -7, or -15. CTL were analyzed for in vitro cytotoxicity against 697 cells, phenotype, and in vitro migration on day 14. NOD/scid mice were injected with 107 697 ALL cells followed by 5x106 CTL. Mice were sacrificed seven days following CTL injection and residual leukemia was measured in the bone marrow and spleen via flow cytometry. The ratios of CD8/CD4 positive T cells at the time of injection were 46/21% for IL-2, 52/31% for IL-7, and 45/14% for IL-15 cultured CTL (n=13). Control mice not receiving CTL had a baseline leukemia burden of 2.01% and 0.15% in the bone marrow and spleen, respectively (n=15). Mice treated with IL-15 cultured CTL had a reduction in tumor burden to 0.2% (n=13, p=0.01) and 0.05% (n=13, p=0.01) in bone marrow and spleen, respectively. Those treated with IL-2 or IL-7 cultured CTL showed no significant difference in leukemia burden in either the bone marrow (IL-2 1.28%, Il-7 5.97%) or spleen (IL-2 0.4%, IL-7 0.33%). No residual CTL could be identified in the bone marrow or spleen at the time of sacrifice in any CTL group. CTL grown in each cytokine resulted in similar in vitro cytotoxicity at an effector:target ratio of 10:1 (IL-2 41.3%, IL-7 37.7%, IL-15 45.3%, n=12–15, p>0.05 for all groups) and had statistically similar intracellular perforin and granzyme-B expression. In vitro CTL migration to a human mesenchymal stem cell line was greatest with IL-15 CTL (30.5%, n=4), followed by IL-7 CTL (18.9%, n=4), and least in IL-2 CTL (17.9%, n=4), though the differences were not significant. In vitro CTL migration was analyzed to an SDF-1α gradient as CXCR4/SDF-1α interactions are necessary for hematopoietic progenitor cell homing to the bone marrow. IL-15 cultured CTL showed the highest migration (48.8%, n=8) as compared to IL-2 (21.7%, n=6, p=0.048) or IL-7 CTL (35.9%, n=8, p>0.05). However, surface expression of CXCR4 measured by flow cytometry was significantly higher in IL-7 CTL (89.4%, n=9) compared to IL-2 CTL (52.2%, n=9, p<0.001) and IL-15 CTL (65.4%, n=10, p=0.002). Experiments are currently underway to further evaluate the role of CXCR4/SDF-1α in GVL. Preliminary in vivo experiments do not suggest any significant differences in CTL engraftment when evaluated at 24 hours post injection. Expression of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein was greatest on IL-7 (MFI=5295, n=13) and IL-15 (MFI=4865, n=14) when compared to IL-2 CTL (MFI=3530, n=13, p=0.02 vs. IL-7, p=0.05 vs. IL-15), suggesting an increased in vivo survival ability. We hypothesize that IL-15 cultured CTL have greater GVL effects due to either higher in vivo survival, greater bone marrow homing efficiency, or both. Future experiments are planned to evaluate in vivo administration of IL-2 to enhance CTL survival in the host. In conclusion, IL-15 cultured CTL had significantly greater in vivo GVL effects compared to IL-2 and IL-7 CTL in the NOD/scid mouse model. This model can be utilized to evaluate the mechanism of T cell mediated GVL against ALL and potentially other human malignancies.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 1540-1540
Author(s):  
Yoshiyuki Yamada ◽  
Jose A. Cancelas ◽  
Eric B. Brandt ◽  
Abel Sanchez-Aguilera ◽  
Melissa McBride ◽  
...  

Abstract Systemic mastocytosis (SM) associated with chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL)/hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a result of expression of the Fip1-like1 (FIP1L1)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRa) (F/P) fusion gene. We have previously described a murine CEL/HES model (CEL-like mice) induced by F/P fusion gene transduction and T-cell overexpression of IL-5 (Yamada Y et al., Blood 2006). We have now validated a preclinical murine model of F/P-induced SM/CEL and analyzed the pathogenesis of SM in this model. F/P+ mast cells (MC, defined as EGFP+/c-kit+/FceRI+) were significantly increased in the small intestine, bone marrow (BM) and spleen of CEL-like mice compared to wild-type mice (Table). CEL-like mice also developed cutaneous MC infiltration. In addition, mMCP-1 serum levels, which correlate well with MC expansion and activation in vivo, were significantly higher in CEL-like mice than in wild-type mice (64,000 ± 23,800 and 38 ± 41.4 pg/ml, respectively). F/P induces increased expansion of BM-derived MC in vitro (∼2,000-fold) and F/P+ BM-derived MC survive longer than wild-type MC in cytokine-deprived medium (28.0 ± 2.3% vs. 8.7 ± 3.1% 7AAD−/Annexin V− cells after 48 hours). This correlated with increased Akt phosphorylation in the F/P+ MC. Since c-kit mutations are the most frequent cause of SM, we analyzed the possible synergistic role of SCF and F/P signaling. F/P and SCF/c-kit signaling indeed synergize in the development of BM-derived MC (16-fold greater expansion than in the absence of SCF) and F/P+ BM-derived MC showed a 3.7-fold greater migratory response to SCF than wild-type BM-derived MC. In order to determine the role of SCF/c-kit signaling in F/P+ MC development, activation and tissue infiltration in vivo,these responses were evaluated in mice that were treated with a blocking anti-c-kit blocking antibody, ACK-2, or an isotype-matched control antibody. ACK-2 treatment suppressed intestinal MC infiltration and elevated plasma levels of mMCP-1 induced by F/P expression by 95 ± 6.0% and 98 ± 0.76%, respectively, whereas MC and plasma mMCP-1 were completely undetectable in wild-type mice treated with ACK2. This suggests that SCF/c-kit interactions may synergize with F/P to induce SM. In summary, mice with CEL-like disease also develop SM. F/P-induced SM is a result of increased in vivo MC proliferation, survival, activation and tissue infiltration. SCF/c-kit signaling synergizes with F/P in vivo and in vitro to promote mast cell development, activation and survival. EGFP+/c-kit+/FcεRI+ cell frequency in tissues of control and CEL-like mice (%) Control mice CEL-like mice Small intestine 1.0±0.95 47±21.4* Bone marrow 0.2±0.14 3±1.9* Spleen 0.05±0.01 3±0.8*


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3469-3469
Author(s):  
Pratibha Singh ◽  
Seiji Fukuda ◽  
Janardhan Sampath ◽  
Louis M. Pelus

Abstract Interaction of CXCR4 expressed on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) with bone-marrow stromal SDF-1 is believed to play a central role in retention or mobilization of HSPC. Recently, a mobilization regimen of G-CSF was shown to decrease osteoblast number resulting in reduced levels of bone-marrow SDF-1, however the detailed mechanism leading to this reduction is currently unknown. It is unlikely that G-CSF directly regulates osteoblast SDF-1 production since osteoblasts do not express G-CSF receptor. Proteolytic cleavage of SDF-1 by peptidase CD26 in the bone-marrow may be an alternative mechanism responsible for reduction of SDF-1 level. Although CD26 can cleave SDF-1 in vitro, direct evidence of SDF-1 cleavage by CD26 in vivo during G-CSF induced HSPC mobilization has not been demonstrated. We previously demonstrated that neutrophils are required for G-CSF induced HSPC mobilization and that CD26 expression on neutrophils, rather than HSPC, is critical for mobilization. To more fully understand the role of CD26 in altering SDF-1 protein/activity during G-CSF induced HSPC mobilization, we quantitated bone-marrow SDF-1 levels in CD26−/− and wild-type CD26+/+ mice by ELISA during G-CSF administration. A standard 4 day G-CSF mobilization regimen (100 μg/kg bid, sc × 4 days) decreased bone-marrow total SDF-1 from 4.55±0.3 to 0.52±0.06 ng/femur in wild-type CD26+/+ mice (8.7-fold) and from 4.51±0.3 to 0.53±0.05 ng/femur (8.5-fold) in CD26−/− mice. However, despite an equivalent decrease in SDF-1, total CFU mobilization and the absolute number of mobilized SKL cells were decreased (3.1 and 2.0 fold lower, respectively) in CD26−/− mice compared to wild-type CD26+/+ controls. These results suggest that the decrease in total SDF-1 level in marrow seen following G-CSF treatment is independent of CD26. Cytological examination of bone-marrow smears showed that the reduction in SDF-1 levels in bone-marrow of both wild-type CD26+/+ and CD26−/− mice following G-CSF administration correlated with an increase in total absolute bone-marrow neutrophil cell number, suggesting a role for neutrophils in modulation of SDF-1 protein. To determine if neutrophils affect osteoblast SDF-1 production, bone marrow Gr-1+ neutrophils from wild-type CD26+/+ and CD26−/− mice were purified using anti-Ly6G magnetic beads and co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts in vitro. Gr-1+ neutrophils from both wild-type and CD26−/− mice decreased pre-osteoblast SDF-1 production by similar amounts (15.4-fold vs 14.8-fold respectively), while Gr-1 neg cells from both wild-type CD26+/+ or CD26−/− were without effect on SDF-1 levels. Similarly, Gr-1+ neutrophils from both wild-type and CD26−/− mice decreased SDF-1 produced by MC3T3-E1-derived osteoblasts from 1.85±0.3 to 0.52±0.06 ng/ml (3.5 fold) and 0.56±0.07 ng/ml (3.3 fold) respectively, with Gr-1neg cells having no effect. Gr-1+ neutrophils either from wild-type or CD26−/− mice, but not Gr-1neg cells, significantly induced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells as measured by Annexin-V staining (70.5%±10.2 vs 71.2%±12.5 for wild-type CD26+/+ and CD26−/− neutrophils respectively) and significantly inhibited osteoblast activity (20-fold vs 20.6-fold for CD26+/+ and CD26−/− neutrophils respectively) as measured by osteocalcin expression. Furthermore, irrespective of G-CSF treatment, an inverse correlation between absolute neutrophil number and SDF-1 protein levels was observed, suggesting that G-CSF induces neutrophil expansion but does not directly affect SDF-1 production. Collectively, these results provide additional support for the critical role of neutrophils in G-CSF induced mobilization and strongly suggested that neutrophils directly regulate bone-marrow SDF-1 levels independent of CD26 activity.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 1599-1599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niccolò Bartalucci ◽  
Costanza Bogani ◽  
Serena Martinelli ◽  
Carmela Mannarelli ◽  
Jean-Luc Villeval ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims A gain-of-function mutation in Janus kinase 2 (JAK2V617F) is at the basis of the majority of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). The dual JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib (ruxo) determined rapid and sustained responses in splenomegaly and symptomatic improvement in patients with myelofibrosis (MF), supporting the central role of dysregulated JAK2 signaling. Enhanced activation of other downstream pathways including the PI3K/mTOR pathway has been documented as well. We previously reported (Bogani et al, PlosOne 2013;8:54828) that targeting mTOR by the allosteric inhibitor RAD001 resulted in inhibition of JAK2VF mutated cells and produced clinical benefits in a phase I/II trial (Guglielmelli et al, Blood 2011;118:2069). In this study we evaluated the effects of BKM120, a specific PI3K inhibitor, alone and in combination with ruxolitinib, in in-vitro and in-vivo MPN models. Methods To evaluate cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, cell cycle and protein phosphorylation status we used mouse BaF3 and BaF3-EPOR cells expressing wild type (WT) or VF mutated JAK2, the human VF-mutated HEL and SET2 cell lines, and primary MPN CD34+ cells from patients with MF or polycythemia vera (PV). Effect of drug combination was analyzed according to Chou and Talalay calculating the combination index (CI); a CI <1 indicates synergistic activity. For in vivo studies we used two mouse models: (1) SCID mice receiving iv BaF3-EPOR VF-luciferase (luc) cells (gift of T. Radimerski) were randomized on day 6 to different treatment groups based on baseline luminescence. (2) C57Bl6/J JAK2 VF Knock-in mice were generated by insertion of the reversed JAK2V617F exon 13 sequence; mating with Vav-Cre transgenic mice activates the VF allele producing a MPN phenotype in progenies with VF heterozygous expression (Hasan et al, Blood 2013;Epub). Mice were treated for 15 days, then blood, spleen and bone marrow cells were analyzed. Results We found that BKM120 preferential inhibited BAF3 VF and BaF3-EpoR VF cells (IC50: 364±200nM and 1100±207nM, respectively) compared to their respective WT counterpart (5300±800nM and 3122±1000nM: p<.05). HEL and SET2 cells resulted also sensitive to BKM120 (2000±500nM and 1000±300nM). Interestingly we found that BKM120 significantly increased G2/M phase and decreased S phase of cell cycle (p<.01) and induced apoptosis (IC50, SET2=10µM, BaF3-EPOR VF=1.8 µM). Western blot analysis showed marked reduction of phospho-mTOR and its target phospho-4EBP1 as well as downregulation of phospho-STAT5 at 6 and 24h of treatment. BKM120 impaired colony formation from MF and PV CD34+ cells at doses 2 to 8-fold lower than healthy controls (p<.01). BKM120 strongly inhibited EEC colony growth from PV pts (IC50, 9±4nM). Co-treatment of BKM120+ruxo resulted in synergistic inhibition of proliferation of SET2 (median CI=0.45) and BaF3-EPOR VF (median CI=0.8) cells. Triple combinations including BKM120/ruxo plus either RAD001 (Torc1 inhibitor) or PP242 (Torc1/2 inhibitor) resulted highly synergistic (median CI=0.27 and 0.52) to indicate the importance of complete mTOR inhibition. BKM120 at 45mpk and 60mpk increased mean lifespan of BaF3 VF luc mouse model from 21d in control mice to 27.2d and 28d in BMK120 treated mice. In KI mice, co-treatment with 60mpk BKM120 + 60mpk ruxo resulted in improvement of splenomegaly (median spleen weight: 1.4, 0.82, 0.8 and 0.6 g respectively for controls, 60mpk BKM120, 60mpk ruxo and 60mpk BKM120+60mpk ruxo) and reduction of leukocytosis and reticulocyte count. The level of phosho-STAT5 and -4EBP1 in the spleen was significantly reduced in mice receiving BKM120+ruxo as compared to single drug treatment. We finally analyzed the effects of BKM120+/-ruxo on the in-vitro clonogenic growth of BM cells from VF and WT KI mice mixed in a 1:1 ratio. The proportion of VF-positive colonies resulted reduced in a dose dependent manner by 19%, 33% and 44% (p<.03) compared to controls with 50nM, 100nM and 300nM BKM120 respectively. A 25% and 39% of VF-positive colonies reduction was achieved with 50nM and 100nM ruxolitinib. The combined treatment with 100nM BKM120 + 50nM ruxo resulted in a 50% decrease of the number of mutated colonies (p<.02). Conclusions Inhibition of PI3K by BKM120 alone and combined with JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib resulted in enhanced activity in preclinical models of MPN, providing a rationale for the ongoing combination clinical trial. Disclosures: Vannucchi: Novartis: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 113 (26) ◽  
pp. 6669-6680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo M. Roccaro ◽  
Antonio Sacco ◽  
Brian Thompson ◽  
Xavier Leleu ◽  
Abdel Kareem Azab ◽  
...  

Abstract Detailed genomic studies have shown that cytogenetic abnormalities contribute to multiple myeloma (MM) pathogenesis and disease progression. Nevertheless, little is known about the characteristics of MM at the epigenetic level and specifically how microRNAs regulate MM progression in the context of the bone marrow milieu. Therefore, we performed microRNA expression profiling of bone marrow derived CD138+ MM cells versus their normal cellular counterparts and validated data by qRT-PCR. We identified a MM-specific microRNA signature characterized by down-expression of microRNA-15a/-16 and overexpression of microRNA-222/-221/-382/-181a/-181b (P < .01). We investigated the functional role of microRNA-15a and -16 and showed that they regulate proliferation and growth of MM cells in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting AKT serine/threonine-protein-kinase (AKT3), ribosomal-protein-S6, MAP-kinases, and NF-κB-activator MAP3KIP3. Moreover, miRNA-15a and -16 exerted their anti-MM activity even in the context of the bone marrow milieu in vitro and in vivo. These data indicate that microRNAs play a pivotal role in the biology of MM and represent important targets for novel therapies in MM.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 1051-1051
Author(s):  
Vikas Madan ◽  
Lin Han ◽  
Norimichi Hattori ◽  
Anand Mayakonda ◽  
Qiao-Yang Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Chromosomal translocation t(8;21) (q22;q22) leading to generation of oncogenic RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion is a cytogenetic abnormality observed in about 10% of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Studies in animal models and recent next generation sequencing approaches have suggested cooperativity of secondary genetic lesions with t(8;21) in inducing leukemogenesis. In this study, we used targeted and whole exome sequencing of 93 cases (including 30 with matched relapse samples) to profile the mutational landscape of t(8;21) AML at initial diagnosis and post-therapy relapse. We identified recurrent mutations of KIT, TET2, MGA, FLT3, NRAS, DHX15, ASXL1 and KMT2Dgenes in this subtype of AML. In addition, high frequency of truncating alterations in ASXL2 gene (19%) also occurred in our cohort. ASXL2 is a member of mammalian ASXL family involved in epigenetic regulation through recruitment of polycomb or trithorax complexes. Unlike its closely related homolog ASXL1, which is mutated in several hematological malignancies including AML, MDS, MPN and others; mutations of ASXL2 occur specifically in t(8;21) AML. We observed that lentiviral shRNA-mediated silencing of ASXL2 impaired in vitro differentiation of t(8;21) AML cell line, Kasumi-1, and enhanced its colony forming ability. Gene expression analysis uncovered dysregulated expression of several key hematopoiesis genes such as IKZF2, JAG1, TAL1 and ARID5B in ASXL2 knockdown Kasumi-1 cells. Further, to investigate implications of loss of ASXL2 in vivo, we examined hematopoiesis in Asxl2 deficient mice. We observed an age-dependent increase in white blood cell count in the peripheral blood of Asxl2 KO mice. Myeloid progenitors from Asxl2 deficient mice possessed higher re-plating ability and displayed altered differentiation potential in vitro. Flow cytometric analysis of >1 year old mice revealed increased proportion of Lin-Sca1+Kit+ (LSK) cells in the bone marrow of Asxl2 deficient mice, while the overall bone marrow cellularity was significantly reduced. In vivo 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay showed increased cycling of LSK cells in mice lacking Asxl2. Asxl2 deficiency also led to perturbed maturation of myeloid and erythroid precursors in the bone marrow, which resulted in altered proportions of mature myeloid populations in spleen and peripheral blood. Further, splenomegaly was observed in old ASXL2 KO mice and histological and flow cytometric examination of ASXL2 deficient spleens demonstrated increased extramedullary hematopoiesis and myeloproliferation compared with the wild-type controls. Surprisingly, loss of ASXL2 also led to impaired T cell development as indicated by severe block in maturation of CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) population in mice >1 year old. These findings established a critical role of Asxl2 in maintaining steady state hematopoiesis. To gain mechanistic insights into its role during hematopoietic differentiation, we investigated changes in histone marks and gene expression affected by loss of Asxl2. Whole transcriptome sequencing of LSK population revealed dysregulated expression of key myeloid-specific genes including Mpo, Ltf, Ngp Ctsg, Camp and Csf1rin cells lacking Asxl2 compared to wild-type control. Asxl2 deficiency also caused changes in histone modifications, specifically H3K27 trimethylation levels were decreased and H2AK119 ubiquitination levels were increased in Asxl2 KO bone marrow cells. Global changes in histone marks in control and Asxl2 deficient mice are being investigated using ChIP-Sequencing. Finally, to examine cooperativity between the loss of Asxl2 and RUNX1-RUNX1T1 in leukemogenesis, KO and wild-type fetal liver cells were transduced with retrovirus expressing AML1-ETO 9a oncogene and transplanted into irradiated recipient mice, the results of this ongoing study will be discussed. Overall, our sequencing studies have identified ASXL2 as a gene frequently altered in t(8;21) AML. Functional studies in mouse model reveal that loss of ASXL2 causes defects in hematopoietic differentiation and leads to myeloproliferation, suggesting an essential role of ASXL2 in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. *LH and NH contributed equally Disclosures Ogawa: Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma: Research Funding; Kan research institute: Consultancy, Research Funding.


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