MLL-AF9 Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Are Sensitive To All-Trans Retinoic Acid

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 3827-3827
Author(s):  
Kenichi Sakamoto ◽  
Toshihiko Imamura ◽  
Mio Yano ◽  
Hideki Yoshida ◽  
Atsushi Fujiki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Monocytic Differentiation ◽  
Cd11b Expression ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Nbt Reduction

Abstract Background Among the subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) responds dramatically to differentiation therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). But, ATRA is not sufficient to induce differentiation in non-APL AML. Herein, we first evaluated whether MLL fusion partners, such as MLL-AF9 and MLL-AF4/AF5q31, affect the sensitivity of ATRA in human and murine MLL fusion positive AML cell lines. In addition, we also assessed the level of H3K4me2 modification for the RARα gene in human AML cell lines, and whether the LSD1 inhibitor affected the ATRA-resistant MLLfusion positive AML cell lines. Methods Three human AML cell lines with MLL fusion (THP1 and MOLM13 expressing MLL-AF9, and KOCL48 expressing MLL-AF4) and two murine leukemic cell lines derived from murine Lin- hematopoietic progenitors transduced by retroviral vector expressing MLL fusion genes, such as MLL-AF9 and MLL-AF5q31 were used in this study. To test the sensitivity of ATRA, all cell lines were treated with 1 μM ATRA for three days. Monocytic differentiation was assessed by morphological analysis, NBT reduction test and flow cytometric analysis (FCM) of CD11b expression. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis and western blotting was carried out to measure the RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1 expressions. Cytotoxicity assay was performed to determine the IC50 of ATRA in these cell lines and whether ATRA could decrease the IC50 of cytarabine in MLL-AF9positive cells by using WST assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was performed to determine the value of H3K4me2 status using RARα-specific primers. To determine whether tranylcypromine (TCP), which is a nonreversible LSD1 inhibitor, could reactivate ATRA sensitivity, we treated KOCL48 with 10 μM TCP and 1μM ATRA. Results We first determined that morphological changes characteristic of monocytic differentiation, CD11b expression and NBT reduction are more readily induced by ATRA in human and murine MLL-AF9 positive cells than MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. The NBT reduction percentage was 12.5±3.77 in THP1, 13.1±2.02 in MOLM13, but 7.00±2.64 in KOCL48 cells (p<0.05). The ATRA treatment also induced growth inhibition and increased gene expression related to monocytic differentiation through retinoic acid (RA) pathway, more efficiency in MLL-AF9 positive cells than MLL-AF4/AF5q31 cells. The IC50 of ATRA for THP1, MOLM13 and murine MLL-AF9 cells was 3.85, 1.24 and 1.95 μM, but over 10 μM for KOCL48 and murine MLL-AF5q31 cells. Furthermore, qRT-PCR and western blot revealed that ATRA increased expression level of RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1 in MLL-AF9 positive cells, but not in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. Collectively, RA pathway is more impaired in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells than MLL-AF9 positive cells. In addition, the increase in RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1 mRNA expressions were observed in two primary MLL-AF9 positive AML cells treated with ATRA. Next, we also carried out ChIP assay and the H3K4me2/ H3 on the RARα promoter in MLL-AF9 positive cells were higher than MLL-AF4 positive cell. Furthermore, ATRA and TCP combination treatment in KOCL48 induced morphological changes, CD11b expression, and increased the expression level of RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1, suggesting that inhibition of LSD1 restores ATRA sensitivity. Finally, ATRA in combination with cytarabine treatment in MLL-AF9 positive cells enhanced cytarabine sensitivity: the IC50 of cytarabine in THP1, MOLM13, and murine MLL-AF9cells was 4.18, 0.04, and0.065 μM without ATRA and 0.13, 0.0005, and 0.015 μM with ATRA, respectively. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that RA pathway was more profoundly impaired in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells than MLL-AF9 positive cells, suggesting type of MLL fusion protein contributes inactivation of RA pathway. Our data also identified the sensitivity of ATRA was correlated with the ratio of H3K4me2/ H3 on the RARα promoter, and TCP restore the sensitivity of ATRA in KOCL48, suggesting the decrease of the H3K4me2/H3 plays a role in inactivation of RA pathway. Additionally, we revealed that synergistic antileukemic activity of ATRA in combination with cytarabine in MLL-AF9 positive cells. Therefore, ATRA in combination with cytarabine might be novel therapeutic option for the ATRA sensitive AML cells, especially for MLL-AF9 positive cells. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

LSD1 Inhibitor Activates Retinoic Acid Pathway in MLL Fusion Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 1345-1345
Author(s):  
Mio Yano ◽  
Toshihiko Imamura ◽  
Kenichi Sakamoto ◽  
Hideki Yoshida ◽  
Atsushi Fujiki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Monocytic Differentiation ◽  
Differentiation Therapy ◽  
Cd11b Expression ◽  
Nbt Reduction ◽  
Acid Pathway

Abstract Abstract 1345 Background: Among the subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) responds dramatically to differentiation therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). However, ATRA is not sufficient to induce differentiation in non-APL AML. Although the molecular basis for the poor response of non-APL AML to ATRA was poorly understood, Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), the histone demetylase, was found to inhibit the retinoic acid pathway by chromatin modification through H3K4 demethylation, resulting in silencing of gene expression targeted by retinoic acid. Herein, we first evaluated whether MLL fusion partners, such as MLL-AF9 and MLL-AF4/AF5q31, affect the sensitivity of ATRA in human and murine MLL fusion positive AML cells, which is one of the most aggressive pediatric AML. In addition, we also assess whether the LSD1 inhibitor affects the ATRA sensitivity in MLL fusion positive AML cells. Methods: Three human AML cell lines with MLL fusion (THP-1 and MOLM-13 expressing MLL-AF9, and KOCL48 expressing MLL-AF4) and two murine leukemic cell lines derived from murine Lin- hematopoietic progenitors transduced by retroviral vector expressing MLL fusion genes, such as MLL-AF9 and MLL-AF5q31 were used in this study. To test the sensitivity of ATRA, all cell lines were treated with 1 μM ATRA for three days. Cell growth was analyzed by counting nuclei using a Coulter counter. Monocytic differentiation was assessed by morphological analysis, NBT reduction test and flow cytometric analysis (FCM) of CD11b expression. FCM analysis was also carried out to evaluate cell cycle and annexin V assay. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis and western blotting was carried out to measure the RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1 expressions. To determine whether Tranylcypromine (TCP), which is a nonreversible LSD1 inhibitor, could decrease the IC50 of ATRA in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells, KOCL48 and murine MLL-AF5q31 expressing cells were treated with 0μM or 10μM TCP and titrating doses of ATRA (ranging from 0μM to 10μM). After three days, cell count was analyzed by counting nuclei using a Coulter counter to evaluate IC50 of ATRA in each cell lines. Results: We first determined that morphological changes characteristic of monocytic differentiation, CD11b expression and NBT reduction are more readily induced by ATRA in human and murine MLL-AF9 positive cells than human and murine MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells The NBT reduction percentage was 17.6±1.69 in THP-1, but 2.7±1.2 in KOCL48 cells (p<0.01). The ATRA treatment also induced growth inhibition accompanied with G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis more efficiency in MLL-AF9 positive cells than MLL-AF4/AF5q31 cells. The IC50 of ATRA for THP-1 cells was 0.21±0.04 μM, but 5.31±1.50 μM for KOCL48 cells (p<0.01) The percentage of cells arrested in G0/G1 phase and Annexin/PI positive cells were 84% and 17.8% in THP-1 but 40% and 4.8% in KOCL48, respectively. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis and western blot analysis revealed that ATRA increased expression level of RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1, which is involved in monocytic differentiation through retinoic acid pathway, in MLL-AF9 positive cells, but not in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. Collectively, retinoic acid pathway is more impaired in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells than MLL-AF9 positive cells. Next, we also determined that ATRA and TCP combination treatment suppressed cell growth and decreased the IC50 of ATRA in KOCL48 and murine MLL-AF5q31 expressing cells (IC50 of ATRA: 0.20±0.10 μM and 0.20±0.09 μM with TCP, vs 5.5±3.2 μM and over 10 μM without TCP, p<0.05), accompanied with morphological changes and CD11b expression, suggesting that inhibition of LSD1 restores ATRA sensitivity in both cell lines. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that retinoic acid pathway was more profoundly impaired in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cell than MLL-AF9 positive cells, suggesting MLL-AF4/AF5q31 contributes inactivation of retinoic acid pathway. Our data also demonstrate TCP restore the sensitivity of ATRA in ATRA-resistant MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cell lines, suggesting LSD1 plays a major role in inactivation of retinoic acid pathway in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. Therefore, LSD1 inhibitor might be important novel therapeutic option for differentiation therapy of MLL-fusion positive AML, especially for ATRA resistant MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals All-trans retinoic acid enhances, and a pan-RAR antagonist counteracts, the stem cell promoting activity of EVI1 in acute myeloid leukemia

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi Huu Nguyen ◽  
Katharina Bauer ◽  
Hubert Hackl ◽  
Angela Schlerka ◽  
Elisabeth Koller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Acute Myeloid

AbstractEcotropic virus integration site 1 (EVI1), whose overexpression characterizes a particularly aggressive subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), enhanced anti-leukemic activities of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) in cell lines and patient samples. However, the drivers of leukemia formation, therapy resistance, and relapse are leukemic stem cells (LSCs), whose properties were hardly reflected in these experimental setups. The present study was designed to address the effects of, and interactions between, EVI1 and retinoids in AML LSCs. We report that Evi1 reduced the maturation of leukemic cells and promoted the abundance, quiescence, and activity of LSCs in an MLL-AF9-driven mouse model of AML. atRA further augmented these effects in an Evi1 dependent manner. EVI1 also strongly enhanced atRA regulated gene transcription in LSC enriched cells. One of their jointly regulated targets, Notch4, was an important mediator of their effects on leukemic stemness. In vitro exposure of leukemic cells to a pan-RAR antagonist caused effects opposite to those of atRA. In vivo antagonist treatment delayed leukemogenesis and reduced LSC abundance, quiescence, and activity in Evi1high AML. Key results were confirmed in human myeloid cell lines retaining some stem cell characteristics as well as in primary human AML samples. In summary, our study is the first to report the importance of EVI1 for key properties of AML LSCs. Furthermore, it shows that atRA enhances, and a pan-RAR antagonist counteracts, the effects of EVI1 on AML stemness, thus raising the possibility of using RAR antagonists in the therapy of EVI1high AML.

Aminopeptidase Inhibitor Bestatin Potentiates the Induced-Differentiation Activity of All-trans-Retinoic Acid in NB4 Cells Possibly through Down-Regulating c-myc Expression.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 4443-4443
Author(s):  
Mao-fang Lin ◽  
Xi-jun Qian
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Tumor Therapy ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Induced Differentiation ◽  
Cd11b Expression ◽  
Nb4 Cells ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Pharmacologic Activity ◽  
Nbt Reduction

Abstract All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) represents the sole example of clinically useful cyto-differentiating agent. ATRA treatment alone results in complete remission of nearly 80% patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, the therapeutic use of this compound is limited by a number of problems, including the systemic toxicity and ATRA resistant leukemia. One way to circumvent these problems is to identify the agents capable of enhancing the pharmacologic activity of ATRA. As we know, an aminopeptidase inhibitor, bestatin, had been used as an immunomodulator in anti-tumor therapy. Recently, we have reported bestatin can induce apoptosis in HL-60 and K562 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether bestatin can potentiate the ATRA induced-differentiation of APL cell line NB4 cells and whether changes of transcription factors expression are involved in this course. The cellular morphology observed by optical microscopy, the expression level of CD11b measured by flow cytometry and the nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay was performed to determine the cyto-differentiation in NB4 cells. The mRNA expression levels of c-myc and c-EBPε in NB4 cells were detected by RT-PCR. NB4 cells incubated with 10nM ATRA plus 100μg/ml bestatin showed more morphologic character of metamyelocyte and band neutrophil than that of the cells treated by ATRA alone. Compared with 10nM ATRA used alone, after treating NB4 cells for 72 hours, the addition of various concentration of bestatin (50μg/ml, 75μg/ml, 100μg/ml) dose-dependently enhancesd NBT reduction of NB4 cells (17.6±2.5 vs. 12.0±2.2, p<0.05; 23.5±3.2 vs. 12.0±2.2, p<0.01; 36.0±8.3 vs. 12.0±2.2, p<0.01, respectively). 100μg/ml bestatin time-dependently increased 10nM ATRA induced NBT reduction of NB4 cells from 24 to 72 hours (p<0.01). The effect of various concentration of ATRA in combination with 100μg/ml bestatin was statistically different with the sum of the effects of individual drugs after subtracting the value of background (31.2±9.1 vs. 12.7±4.3, p<0.01; 39.5±5.0 vs.16.0±1.8, p<0.001; 49.6±5.3 vs. 22.1±1.6, p<0.001, respectively). Moreover, 10nM ATRA plus 100μg/ml bestatin could prominently elevate CD11b expression in NB4 cells compared with ATRA alone treated NB4 cells group(60.58±9.18% vs. 31.95±5.52%, p<0.01), while 100μg/ml bestatin could not induced significant changes in the expression level of CD11b in NB4 cells after 72 hours incubation. The various concentration (50μg/ml, 75μg/ml, 100μg/ml) of bestatin synergizes with 10nM ATRA to down-regulate the expression level of c-myc mRNA (p<0.01), which was inversely correlated with the NBT reduction activity of NB4 cells induced by 10nM ATRA plus various concentration bestatin (r=−0.917, p=0.028). However, 100μg/ml bestatin plus 10nM ATRA could not induce any significant changes in the expression level of c-EBPε mRNA compared with ATRA treated alone group. In conclusion, an aminopeptidase inhibitor bestatin can potentiate ATRA-induced differentiation of NB4 cells, which may be through down-regulating the expression of c-myc in concert with ATRA. Bestatin would be useful in anti-APL therapy by enhancing the pharmacologic activity of ATRA.

Curcumin Enhances Differentiation of All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA)-Sensitive and ATRA-Resistant Acute Promyelocytic (APL) Cells.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 4456-4456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameet R. Kini ◽  
Moolky Nagabhushan ◽  
Martin S. Tallman ◽  
Shantanu Roychowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Atra Treatment ◽  
Differentiation Therapy ◽  
Cd11b Expression ◽  
Nb4 Cells ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Nbt Reduction ◽  
Therapeutic Doses

Abstract The introduction of ATRA-based differentiation therapy has significantly enhanced outcomes in patients with APL. However, retinoic acid syndrome and ATRA-resistance remain significant concerns. It would therefore be useful to develop drugs that reduce the therapeutic doses of ATRA needed, and would be effective in ATRA-resistant cases. We have shown previously that curcumin, the yellow compound isolated from spice turmeric, suppresses the initiation and promotion stages of cancer development. In the present study we evaluated whether curcumin affects differentiation of NB4 APL cells. The NB4 cells were derived from a patient with APL, and differentiate in response to ATRA, while NB4-R1 cells are resistant to ATRA. Treatment of NB4 cells with 5 μM curcumin enhanced ATRA-mediated differentiation. Differentiation was assessed by evaluating CD11b expression, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and by morphologic examination. This curumin-mediated enhanced differentiation was apparent at 1 μM as well as 0.1 μM of ATRA. Curcumin alone did not cause differentiation of the NB4 cells, although higher concentrations of curcumin caused apoptosis. We then examined the effect of curcumin on the ATRA-resistant NB-R1 cells. Addition of ATRA and curcumin together induced differentiation of the NB4-R1 cells, whereas either agent alone did not cause differentiation. The differentiation was characterized by increased CD11b expression, NBT reduction and the typical morphologic changes. In addition, differentiation of the NB4-R1 cells was accompanied by restoration of the PML-oncogenic domains (PODs). These results indicate that curcumin may be another unconventional therapeutic agent in APL, following the successful use of ATRA and arsenic trioxide.

Restoration of CCAAT Enhancer Binding Protein Alpha P42 Overcomes Myeloid Differentiation Block and All-Trans Retinoic Acid Resistance in Human Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia NB4-R1 Cells

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 1238-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Limengmeng Wang ◽  
Haowen Xiao ◽  
Xing Zhang ◽  
Weichao Liao ◽  
Shan Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Mtor Pathway ◽  
Myeloid Differentiation ◽  
Differentiation Therapy ◽  
Cd11b Expression ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid

Abstract All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is one of the first line agents in differentiation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, drug resistance becomes a major problem which influences the efficacy of ATRA. Mechanisms of ATRA resistance are ugly needed to be identified. Here we found that expression of C/EBPα, an important transcription factor for myeloid differentiation, was significantly suppressed in ATRA resistant APL cell line NB4-R1 compared with ATRA sensitive NB4 cells. Moreover, two forms of C/EBPα were unequally suppressed in NB4-R1 cells. Suppression of the full-length form P42 was more pronounced than the truncated form P30. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was also observed in NB4-R1 cells. Meanwhile, C/EBPα expression was reduced by PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and mTOR inhibitor RAD001 in NB4 cell, suggesting that inactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was responsible for C/EBPα suppression in APL cells. Then, we restored C/EBPα P42 and P30 by lentivirus vectors in NB4-R1 cells respectively, and found C/EBPα P42, but not P30, could increase CD11b, CD14, G-CSFR and GM-CSFR expression, which indicated the occurrence myeloid differentiation. Moreover, further upregulating of CD11b expression and differential morphological changes were found in NB4-R1 cells with restored C/EBPα P42 after ATRA treatment. However, CD11b expression and differential morphological changes could not be induced by ATRA in NB4-R1 cells infected with P30 expressing or control vector. Thus, we inferred that ATRA sensibility of NB4-R1 cells was enhanced by restoration of C/EBPα P42. In addition, we used histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin (TSA) to restore C/EBPα expression in NB4-R1 cells. Similar enhancement of myeloid differentiation and cell growth arrest were detected. Together, this study demonstrated that suppression of C/EBPα P42 induced by PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition impaired the differentiation and ATRA sensibility of APL cells. Restoring C/EBPα P42 is an attractive approach for differentiation therapy in ATRA resistant APL. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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