TLR-9 and IL-15-Driven Clonal Expansion of B-CLL Cells

Abstract Clinical progression of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is linked to clonal growth within pseudo-follicles, typically within lymph nodes, bone marrow and spleen, and occasionally lungs and skin. Both the clone’s antigen receptor and stromal milieu appear to influence its growth rate. An involvement of TLR signals seems probable based on atypically elevated TLR-9 expression within B-CLL cells and the likelihood that the specificity of B-CLL antigen receptors (BCR) facilitates the internalization of molecules from apoptotic cells and/or microbes that are physically linked to CpG DNA. Nevertheless, recent findings that a large subset of B-CLL undergoes in vitro apoptosis upon stimulation with CpG-rich oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) raised questions about a central role for TLR-9 signaling. Using a CFSE-based model for examining in vitro B-CLL clonal expansion/viability and a cohort consisting of 19 IGHV mutated (M) and 19 unmutated (U) B-CLL, we report that TLR-9 signaling is uniformly stimulatory when accompanied by signals from IL-15. Importantly, this cytokine is known to be constitutively produced by stromal cells in normal bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen and in a constitutive/inducible manner within skin and lungs. We show that B-CLL display reproducible inter-clonal differences in the number of division cycles attained and/or lymphoblast survival that were not linked to IGHV mutation status, but were statistically linked to whether the patient leukemic population contained subclones with trisomy-12 (p=0.0003) or contained subclones with both an ATM anomaly (11q22 del and/or ATM mutation) and 13q14 del (p=0.009). When all B-CLL clones were assessed, in vitro high-division or high-viability status in response to ODN + IL-15 was not statistically linked to clinical progression as determined by time to first treatment (TFT). Nonetheless, in vitro high-division status showed a statistically-significant direct linkage to patient survival (OS) (p=0.019 for OS within B-CLL manifesting > 50% cells with > 2 divisions versus B-CLL with < 50% cells with > 2 divisions). Subdivision of the total cohort into U-CLL and M-CLL subsets revealed that the link of high division status with overall survival is most characteristic of U-CLL. Immunohistological evidence of IL-15-producing cells within or proximal to Ki-67-positive pseudo-follicles in B-CLL-infiltrated spleen is consistent with a role for ODN + IL-15 signaling in promoting in vivo leukemic cell growth. Taken together, the findings from this study support the concept that in vivo B-CLL clonal expansion is dependent upon leukemic B-CLL homing to tissue sites where IL-15 is typically sequestered along with intrinsic properties of the B-CLL clone, e.g. cytogenetic anomalies within members of a B-CLL clone that heighten leukemic cell growth and/or survival and an expression of U-BCRs specific for apoptotic cell debris that increase the opportunity for TLR-9 signaling. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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IL-1 Antagonists Are More Effective at Inhibiting IL-6 Production Than Apoptosis Inducing Agents: Implications for Targeting the Myeloma Proliferative Component.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.1831.1831 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 1831-1831

Author(s):

John A. Lust ◽

Steven R. Zeldenrust ◽

Laurie L. Moon-Tasson ◽

Kathleen A. Donovan

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Cell Growth ◽

Plasma Cell ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Myeloma Cell ◽

Cell Labeling ◽

Bone Marrow Plasma ◽

Apoptosis Inducing Agents

Abstract Abstract 1831 Poster Board I-857 IL-1 Antagonists Are More Effective at Inhibiting IL-6 Production than Apoptosis Inducing Agents: Implications for Targeting the Myeloma Proliferative Component. John A. Lust, MD,PhD1, Steven R. Zeldenrust, MD, PhD1, Laurie L. Moon-Tasson1*, and Kathleen A. Donovan, PhD1*. 1Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States, 55905. Background Multiple myeloma patients with an elevated growth rate have a shortened duration of response and survival. IL-6 is a central myeloma growth factor and we have shown that abnormal production of IL-1beta in the myeloma microenvironment stimulates the generation of paracrine IL-6 and myeloma cell growth in vivo. Dexamethasone and IL-1Ra both have the ability to inhibit IL-1 induced IL-6 production in vitro however their ability to inhibit IL-6 production and myeloma cell growth have not been investigated in a comparative fashion. Methods In vitro, IL-1 (100, 10, 1 pg/ml) was added to stromal cell cultures in the presence or absence of IL-1Ra (1 and 0.1 μg/ml) or dexamethasone (100 and 10 μM). IL-6 levels were quantitated by ELISA. In vivo, a patient with smoldering myeloma (≥ 10% bone marrow plasma cells) received 100 mg of IL-1Ra SQ qd for 6 months, low dose dexamethasone (20 mg qweek) for 6 months, followed by the combination of IL-1Ra and dexamethasone for 6 months. The bone marrow plasma cell percentage (BMPC), serum IgG, the plasma cell labeling index (marker of myeloma cell proliferation) and the C-reactive protein (marker of IL-6 production) were monitored serially. Results The effects of IL-1Ra and dexamethasone on IL-1 induced IL-6 production by marrow stromal cells are detailed in Figure 1. The results showed that IL-1Ra at 1 μg/ml was able to inhibit IL-1 induced IL-6 production back to baseline at all IL-1 concentrations tested. The inhibitory effect was less pronounced at 0.1 μg/ml IL-1Ra but still superior to dexamethasone. Dexamethasone was less effective at IL-6 inhibition compared to IL-1Ra using 100 and 10 pg/ml of IL-1 but similar at 1 pg/ml of IL-1. Of interest, the patient treated with IL-1Ra alone, dexamethasone alone, and the combination appeared to mimic these results in vivo. Anakinra alone induced a reduction of the PCLI and CRP. Dexamethasone alone decreased the M-protein; however the PCLI and CRP values increased. The PCLI increased from 0% to 0.8% and the CRP increased from 0.18 up to 1.48 indicating increased levels of IL-6 and a more active proliferative component of the disease. Subsequently, the combination of dexamethasone and IL-1Ra led to a further decrease in the IgG and the PCLI and CRP decreased again; PCLI decreased from 0.8% to 0.2% and CRP decreased from 1.48 down to 0.40. Conclusion The above results suggest that agents such as IL-1Ra are more effective at IL-6 inhibition and targeting the proliferative myeloma component than apoptosis inducing agents such as dexamethasone. Combination therapy with IL-1 inhibitors and apoptosis inducing agents may be useful in patients with active myeloma that have an elevated PCLI at diagnosis. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Gadolinium Containing Contrast Agent Promotes Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth: Implication for Clinical Use of MRI in Myeloma.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.1809.1809 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 1809-1809

Author(s):

Mariateresa Fulciniti ◽

Swaminathan Sundararaman ◽

Puru Nanjappa ◽

Samir B Amin ◽

Prajwal Chevireddy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Cell Growth ◽

Contrast Agent ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Bone Lesions ◽

Myeloma Cells ◽

Growth Promoting

Abstract Abstract 1809 Poster Board I-835 Bone marrow infiltration by myeloma cells and osteolytic bone lesions are the major features of Multiple Myeloma. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been used in MM not only to image bone marrow (BM) and to identify lytic bone disease but to also evaluate therapeutic response and prognosis. Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents are frequently used to enhance MRI resolution. We evaluated effect of the most common Gd-containing agent, Omniscan, on myeloma cells. We observed that Omniscan induced both time and dose dependent MM cell growth in vitro (8-20 fold increase relative to control). Importantly, the presence of BMSC enhanced the effect of Omniscan on growth of both MM cell lines and primary MM cells. However, Omniscan was not able to overcome cytotoxic effects of conventional and novel agents in MM. This growth promoting effects were not observed on normal BM stromal cells. Evaluating the molecular mechanism of action of Omniscan on MM cells, we observed time dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation as well as reversal of growth promoting effects of Omniscan by specific inhibition of ERK signaling; however, Omniscan had no effect on STAT3 and AKT signaling pathways. Next, we investigated in vivo effect of Omniscan in a murine xenograft model of MM. Following detection of tumor, mice were treated with either iv Omniscan or PBS. Treatment with Omniscan significantly induced MM tumor growth compared to control mice (1042 ±243 mm3 vs 502 ±137 mm3 respectively; p=0.0001). Finally in autopsies in 8 MM patients with repeated exposure to Omniscan, we quantified gadolinium in various tissues using Inductively-coupled mass spectrometry. We observed massive quantities of gadolinium accumulation in tissues of these MM patients regardless of their renal function. These results, confirming both in vitro and in vivo growth promoting effects of Gd-containing contrast agent on MM, suggest the need for further analysis of the mechanism of its action on myeloma cells and careful analysis of its clinical impact in MM patients undergoing MRI evaluation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Novel Pleiotropic Effects of Thrombin in Regulation of Metastatic Potential of Human Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) Cells – Identification of Negative PAR1 and PAR3 Receptor Crosstalk.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.336.336 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 336-336

Author(s):

Marcin Wysoczynski ◽

Rui Liu ◽

Mariusz Z Ratajczak

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Metastatic Potential ◽

Cell Interaction ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Coagulation Cascade ◽

Receptor Crosstalk

Abstract Abstract 336 Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma of adolescence and childhood that frequently infiltrates bone marrow (BM) to this degrees that it may mimic acute lymphocytic leukemia. We identified chemokines and growth factors (e.g., SDF-1, HGF) that play an important role in RMS metastasis (Blood 2002;100:2597, Cancer Res. 2003;63:7926, Cancer Res. 2007;67:2131). Novel evidence however accumulates that metastatic process for many tumors may be modulated by the components of coagulation cascade (CC) (e.g., thrombin, activated platelets). Thus, we become interested on a role of CC in modulating metastasis of RMS cells. First, we learned that RMS cells express tissue factor (TF) and thus may activate coagulation by generation of thrombin. Thrombin activated in tumor microenvironment activates platelets that release microvesicles. We observed that platelet derived microvesicles (PMV) transfer to RMS cells several platelet integrin receptors (e.g., α2β3) important for RMS cell interaction with endothelium, and thus increase their adhesive potential to endothelial cells. To support this, we noticed that RMS cells covered with PMV showed higher metastatic potential after intravenous injection into immunodeficient SCID mice. We also found that PMV also directly chemoattracted RMS cells and activated MAPKp42/44 and AKT. Next we learned that all 10 human RMS cell lines investigated in our studies express functional PAR1 and PAR3 receptors. To support this, we observed in thrombin stimulated RMS cells phosphorylation of MAPKp42/44 and MAPKp38. To our surprise however, in in vitro experiments thrombin decreased RMS chemotactic response to conditioned media from bone marrow fibroblast and PMVs. Furthermore, we didn't observe any effect of thrombin on proliferation, survival and expression of pro-angiogenic factors in RMS cells. Thrombin also decreased adhesion of RMS cells to fibronectin and bone marrow stroma cells. In contrast PAR1 specific agonist TRAP-6 stimulated proliferation of RMS cells. Different responsiveness to thrombin and TRAP-6 stimulation could be explained by negative modulatory role of PAR3 receptor in response to stimulation by thrombin. Thus, to learn more on a role of PAR1 and PAR3 in RMS proliferation/metastasis we knock-down both receptors by employing shRNA strategy. We observed that PAR1-/- receptor RMS cells that express intact PAR3 cells formed in vivo smaller tumors as compared to unmodified control cells. On the other hand, PAR3-/- RMS cells that express functional PAR1 began to proliferate robust in response to thrombin. In conclusion, we demonstrate that RMS-expressed TF activates prothrombin and that thrombin is a novel, underappreciated, pro-metastatic factor for these cells. Activated in tumor proximity by thrombin, platelets release PMVs that chemoattract and transfer several platelet-derived receptors/adhesion molecules to RMS cells that are crucial for adhesion/interaction with the endothelium. Conversely, by decreasing the responsiveness of RMS cells to local chemoattractants and decreasing adhesiveness of RMS cells, thrombin promotes their release from the primary tumor into circulation. Consequently, RMS cells that are covered by PMVs release into circulation and respond to chemoattractants in distant organs for metastasis. Finally, our data also supports a negative regulatory role of thrombin-PAR3 axis in proliferation of RMS. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Absence of Caveloin-1 Leads to Delayed Development of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in Eµ-TCL1 Mouse Model

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v124.21.2196.2196 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 124 (21) ◽

pp. 2196-2196

Author(s):

Ashima Shukla ◽

Christine E Cutucache ◽

Karan Rai ◽

Siddharth Rai ◽

Rene Opavsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Lymph Nodes ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Clinical Heterogeneity ◽

Knock Down ◽

Immune Synapses

Abstract Background: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia in the United States. Clinical heterogeneity, a characteristic feature of CLL is a major problem in the clinical management of this currently incurable leukemia. We and others have demonstrated that the tissue microenvironment, specifically the lymph node (LN), influence the biological and clinical behavior including the clinical heterogeneity of CLL. Using gene expression profiling of CLL cells from peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow (BM) and LNs, we identified Cav-1 a member of the Tolerogenic Signature (genes associated with host immune tolerance) as one of the candidate genes which might be involved in the pathogenesis of CLL. We found that Cav-1 levels were significantly elevated (11 fold) in CLL cells from LNs compared to BM and PB. Cav-1 is the major element of caveolae, which are flask-shaped membrane invaginations. Cav-1 is involved in multiple cellular processes like the regulation and transportation of cellular cholesterol and lipids, clathrin independent endocytosis and signal transduction leading to oncogenesis or tumor suppression. We have previously shown that knock down of Cav-1 results in a significant decrease in cell migration and proliferation of primary human CLL cells in vitro. We have also demonstrated that knock down of Cav-1 prevents CLL cells from forming immune synapses. These immune synapses are important for the interaction between the CLL cells and their tumor microenvironment. These results suggest that Cav-1 protect CLL cells from undergoing apoptosis and enhances their migration in vitro. Objectives and Methodology: To understand the precise role of Cav-1 in leukemic progression in vivo, we crossed Cav-1-/- mice to Eµ-TCL1 mice, which is a well-established transgenic murine model for CLL. The offspring were observed and evaluated for the development of CLL. These mice were sacrificed at the age of 12, 24, 36 and 40+ weeks and peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen and were examined for the presence of CD5+B220+CD19+ CLL cells using flow cytometry. Spleen, lymph nodes, liver, lungs and kidney were evaluated for the presence of CLL cells using H&E staining of histologic slides. Results: To study the role of Cav-1 in Eµ-TCL1, we isolated splenic B cells and measured the expression of Cav-1. We observed a gradual increase in the expression of Cav-1 in splenic B cells from Eµ-TCL1 mice at age of 12, 24 and 36 weeks when compared with wild type mice. This suggested that Cav-1 might be playing a role in CLL progression in Eµ-TCL1 mice. Therefore, to study the role of Cav-1 in CLL disease progression we decreased the expression of Cav-1 in vivo by breeding Eµ-TCL1 with Cav1 knockout mice. We generated Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/+ and Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/- mice to study the effect of Cav-1 knock down in aggressiveness of CLL in vivo. We have shown that Cav-1 is overexpressed in CLL cells from patients with poorer clinical outcome and protects CLL cells from undergoing apoptosis. Therefore, we analyze the number of CLL cells in Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/+ and Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/- mice. We observed a significant reduction in the number of B220+CD5+ CLL cells population in bone marrow and spleen of Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/+ and Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/- mice when compared with Eµ-TCL1-Cav1wt/wt mice. We have previously shown that Cav-1 is important for CLL cells migration in vitro. Therefore, to study its effect in vivo we analyzed infiltration of CLL cells in spleen, lymph nodes, liver, kidney and lungs in these mice. There was no or significant decrease in tumor infiltration of CLL cells in spleen, lymph nodes, liver, lungs and kidney in Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/+ and Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/- mice when compared with Eµ-TCL1-Cav1wt/wt alone. Next, we wanted to examine the effect of Cav-1 knock down on splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. We found that there was a significant decrease in splenomegaly and hepatomegaly in Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/+ and Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/- mice. The spleen and liver size of Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/+ and Eµ-TCL1-Cav1-/- mice was significantly reduced when compared with Eµ-TCL1 mice. Together these results suggest that high expression of Cav-1 in CLL cells leads to enhance proliferation and promotes disease progression in Eµ-TCL1 mice. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Prevention of leptin binding to its receptor suppresses rat leukemic cell growth by inhibiting angiogenesis

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2001-11-0134 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 100 (12) ◽

pp. 4123-4128 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Per Ole Iversen ◽

Christian Andre Drevon ◽

Janne Elin Reseland

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Cell Growth ◽

Leptin Receptor ◽

Mononuclear Cells ◽

Leukemic Cell ◽

Leukemic Cells ◽

Acute Myelocytic Leukemia ◽

In Vitro Proliferation

Leptin promotes the growth and viability of hematopoietic cells, and it also stimulates microvessel formation, indicating a role for leptin in angiogenesis. Acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) remains a disease with poor prognosis. Similar to solid tumors, it probably requires angiogenesis to ensure adequate supplies of nutrients. We studied rats with transplanted AML to test if a neutralizing anti–leptin receptor monoclonal antibody (mAb) (anti–OB-R) could inhibit leukemogenesis. At 4 weeks after transplantation, the bone marrow contained about 80% leukemic cells as assayed with a specific mAb and flow cytometry. Microscopic examination of bone marrow sections stained with an anti–von Willebrand mAb revealed a marked increase in microvessel density in the leukemic rats compared with controls. Treatment with anti–OB-R for 3 weeks more than halved the content of bone marrow leukemic cells with a concomitant, substantial decrease in angiogenesis. A parallel experiment using an irrelevant anticasein mAb showed no effect on either leukemic cell growth or angiogenesis. We could not detect surface expression of the leptin receptor on the leukemic cells, but on mononuclear cells from healthy rats. The anti–OB-R did not affect in vitro proliferation of leukemic cells whereas proliferation of the mononuclear cells was markedly impaired. The anti–OB-R had no effect on either leukemic cell growth or angiogenesis in leukemic fa/fa rats with a mutated leptin receptor. We conclude that leptin stimulates leukemic cell growth in vivo by promoting angiogenesis. Inhibition of binding of leptin to its receptor might be a new adjunct therapy in AML.

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Human ROR1 Activates AKT and Accelerates Leukemia Cell Proliferation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.3872.3872 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 3872-3872

Author(s):

Suping Zhang ◽

Liguang Chen ◽

Ling Zhang ◽

Jian Yu ◽

Laura Z. Rassenti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Growth ◽

Cell Line ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Leukemia Cell ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Orphan Receptor ◽

Embryonic Cells ◽

Control Vector

Abstract Abstract 3872 ROR1 is an orphan-receptor-tyrosine-kinase-like developmental surface-antigen that is expressed by embryonic cells, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, and neoplastic cells of many other types of cancer, but not by virtually all normal adult tissues. ROR1 can serve as a receptor for Wnt5a and potentially complex with other surface receptors for growth/survival factors elaborated by the tumor microenvironment or expressed by the tumor itself. In prior studies, we and others found that silencing ROR1 could impair tumor-cell growth and/or survival in vitro and in vivo. Although the CLL cells of ≥96% of all examined patients (N= 800) expressed ROR1, we found that a B-cell line derived from CLL cells, namely MEC1 (Leuk Res 23:127, 1999), lacked expression of this protein. This provided us with an opportunity to assess how introduction of ROR1 could affect the biology of this CLL-cell line, which has relatively slow doubling-time of ≈40 hours. We transfected MEC1 cells with either an expression vector encoding human ROR1 or a control vector, and then selected for stable transfectants in selection medium. MEC1 cells transfected with the ROR1 vector expressed high-levels of ROR1, but not MEC1 cells transfected with the control vector. MEC1 cells made to express ROR1 had higher levels of phosphorylated and activated-AKT and activated cAMP response-element-binding (CREB) protein than non-transfected MEC1 cells or cells transfected with the control vector. Furthermore, MEC1 made to express ROR1 had significantly greater proportions of cells in S/G2/M phase than did control-transfected cells 16 hours after transfer from serum-free medium to complete growth medium, indicating that MEC1 cells made to express ROR1 had increased relative proportions of cells undergoing cell division. Consistent with this, we found that ROR1+ MEC1 cells had significantly shorter doubling times in culture than did comparably cultured parental MEC1 cells or MEC1 cells transfected with the control vector. This study indicates that expression of ROR1 in the MEC1 CLL cell line can activate AKT/CREB and accelerate leukemia cell growth, providing us with a model system with which to interrogate the function of ROR1 in vitro. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Eosinophilia in transgenic mice expressing interleukin 5.

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.172.5.1425 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 172 (5) ◽

pp. 1425-1431 ◽

Cited By ~ 392

Author(s):

L A Dent ◽

M Strath ◽

A L Mellor ◽

C J Sanderson

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Transgenic Mice ◽

Lymph Nodes ◽

Peyer's Patches ◽

Peyer’S Patches ◽

Mesenteric Lymph Nodes ◽

Gene Encoding ◽

Interleukin 5

Experiments in vitro suggest that although interleukin 5 (IL-5) stimulates the late stages of eosinophil differentiation, other cytokines are required for the generation of eosinophil progenitor cells. In this study transgenic mice constitutively expressing the IL-5 gene were established using a genomic fragment of the IL-5 gene coupled to the dominant control region from the gene encoding human CD2. Four independent eosinophilic transgenic lines have thus far been established, two of which with 8 and 49 transgene copies, are described in detail. These mice appeared macroscopically normal apart from splenomegaly. Eosinophils were at least 65- and 265-fold higher in blood from transgenics, relative to normal littermates, and approximately two- or sevenfold more numerous relative to blood from mice infected with the helminth Mesocestoides corti. Much more modest increases in blood neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte numbers were noted in transgenics, relative to normal littermates (less than threefold). Thus IL-5 in vivo is relatively specific for the eosinophil lineage. Large numbers of eosinophils were present in spleen, bone marrow, and peritoneal exudate, and were highest in the line with the greatest transgene copy number. Eosinophilia was also noted in histological sections of transgenic lungs, Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes, and gut lamina propria but not in other tissues examined. IL-5 was detected in the sera of transgenics at levels comparable to those seen in sera from parasite-infected animals. IL-3 and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were not found. IL-5 mRNA was detected in transgenic thymus, Peyer's patches, and superficial lymph nodes, but not in heart, liver, brain, or skeletal muscle or in any tissues from nontransgenics. Bone marrow from transgenic mice was rich in IL-5-dependent eosinophil precursors. These data indicate that induction of the IL-5 gene is sufficient for production of eosinophilia, and that IL-5 can induce the full pathway of eosinophil differentiation. IL-5 may therefore not be restricted in action to the later stages of eosinophil differentiation, as suggested by earlier in vitro studies.

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Investigating the Roles of the Yeats Domain in MLL-ENL Mediated Leukemogenesis

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2020-138622 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 30-31

Author(s):

Hsiangyu Hu ◽

Nirmalya Saha ◽

Yuting Yang ◽

Sierrah Marie Grigsby ◽

Rolf Marschalek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Growth ◽

Acute Leukemia ◽

Transcriptional Activation ◽

Fusion Proteins ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Leukemic Cell ◽

Leukemic Cells ◽

Fusion Partner ◽

Wild Type

Approximately 10% of acute leukemia involves rearrangement at chromosome 11q23, giving rise to a relatively aggressive form of acute leukemia characterized by MLL1 (KMT2A) fusion proteins. Despite the identification of >100 MLL1 fusion partners, the majority are members of several similar transcriptional activation complexes including: The Super Elongation Complex (SEC), AEP and EAP (SEC used hereafter). MLL fusion-driven acute leukemia is characterized by deregulated activity of the SEC and the H3K79 methyltransferase DOT1L. This leads to altered epigenetic landscapes at and deregulated transcription of pro-leukemic MLL1-fusion target genes like HoxA9 and Meis1. Thus, targeting these transcriptional and epigenetic complexes has become an attractive therapeutic strategy for treating MLL-fusion leukemia. Eleven-Nineteen-Leukemia (ENL or MLLT1) is the third most common MLL1 fusion partner and a component of the SEC. Recently, wild type ENL was identified as an essential factor for leukemic cell growth. The ENL protein possesses a C-terminal ANC-homology domain (AHD) necessary for SEC recruitment and is essential for MLL-fusion mediated leukemogenesis. In addition, ENL contains a highly conserved N-terminal YEATS domain that functions as an epigenetic reader for acetylated H3K9, H3K18 or H3K27, which is essential for leukemic cell growth. Additionally, the ENL YEATS domain directly interacts with the Polymerase Associated Factor 1 complex (PAF1c), an epigenetic regulator protein complex essential for MLL-fusion mediated leukemogenesis. These studies highlight the importance of the YEATS domain in regulating wild type ENL function in leukemic cells. However, the importance of the YEATS domain in the context of MLL-ENL mediated leukemia remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigate the clinical relevance and leukemic importance of the ENL YEATS domain in MLL-ENL leukemias. We first analyzed t(11;19) (MLL-ENL) patient data to determine the sites of chromosomal translocation within the ENL gene. We found that the YEATS domain (coded by exons 2 through 4) is retained in 84.1% of MLL-ENL patients (n=302). Specifically, 50.7% (n=153) of these patients possess breakpoints located 5' of the first exon of the ENL gene, while 33.4% (n=101) of the patients display breakpoints within the first intron of ENL gene. These data point towards a tendency for YEATS domain retention in MLL-ENL fusion proteins in t(11;19) patients. We next tested whether the YEATS domain was functional in MLL-ENL mouse leukemia models. Our data shows the YEATS domain is required for MLL-ENL leukemogenesis in vivo, as deletion of the YEATS domain destroys MLL-ENL leukemogenesis and increases apoptosis in cell culture. Transcriptionally, deletion of the YEATS domain decreased expression of pro-leukemic genes such as Meis1 and the anti-apoptotic gene Bclxl. To dissect the contribution of different YEATS domain functions in MLL-ENL leukemogenesis, we engineered YEATS domain mutants defective in interacting with PAF1 or acetylated H3K9/K18/K27. Disrupting the YEATS-PAF1 or YEATS-H3Kac interaction decreased MLL-ENL mediated colony formation exvivo and significantly increased leukemia latency in vivo. The MLL-ENL YEATS domain mutants will be used in future studies to determine how the YEATS domain affects 1) MLL-ENL fusion localization, 2) key protein complexes localization (i.e. SEC and PAF1c) and 3) the epigenetic landscapes (i.e. H3K79me2/3 and H3K4me3) at pro-leukemic targets. To further interrogate the YEATS-PAF1 interaction in MLL-ENL mediated leukemia, we identified the minimal region of the PAF1 protein required for the YEATS-PAF1 interaction. This PAF1 protein fragment will be used to biochemically characterize the structure of the PAF1-YEATS interaction, which might aid in therapeutically targeting specific YEATS interactions in MLL-ENL leukemia. Our results demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, an essential role for the YEATS domain in MLL-ENL mediated leukemogenesis. Additionally, our genetic studies elucidate the importance of the YEATS domain interaction with either the PAF1c or H3Kac in MLL-ENL leukemias. Taken together, our study establishes a rationale for exploring the effectiveness of small molecule development aimed at disrupting either the YEATS-H3Kac or the YEATS-PAF1 interaction as a therapeutic intervention for treating MLL-ENL leukemia patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Novel Murine Model To Study Modulation of Genes and Molecular Pathways Induced Following In Vivo Interaction between Multiple Myeloma Cells and Human BM Milieu.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.3409.3409 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 3409-3409

Author(s):

Paola Neri ◽

Pierfrancesco Tassone ◽

Masood Shammas ◽

Mariateresa Fulciniti ◽

Yu-Tzu Tai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Cell Growth ◽

Gene Expression Profile ◽

Expression Profile ◽

Murine Model ◽

Cell Signalling

Abstract Interaction between multiple myeloma (MM) cells and the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment plays a critical role in promoting MM cell growth, survival, migration and development of drug resistance. This interaction within the bone marrow milieu is unique and its understanding is important in evaluating effects of novel agents in vitro and in vivo. We here describe a novel murine model that allows us to study the expression changes in vivo in MM cells within the human BM milieu. In this model, the green fluorescent protein (INA-6 GFP+) transduced IL-6-dependent human MM cell line, INA-6, was injected in human bone chip implanted into SCID mice. At different time points the bone chip was retrieved, cells flushed out and GFP+ MM cells were purified by CD138 MACS microbeads. Similar isolation process was used on INA-6 GFP+ cells cultured in vitro and used as control. Total RNA was isolated from these cells and gene expression profile analyzed using the HG-U133 array chip (Affymetrix) and DChip analyzer program. We have identified significant changes in expression of several genes following in vivo interaction between INA-6 and the BM microenvironment. Specifically, we observed up-regulation of genes associated with cytokines (IL-4, IL-8, IGFB 2–5) and chemokines (CCL2, 5, 6, 18, 24, CCR1, 2, 4), implicated in cell-cell signalling. Moreover genes implicated in DNA transcription (V-Fos, V-Jun, V-kit), adhesion (Integrin alpha 2b, 7, cadherin 1 and 11) and cell growth (CDC14, Cyclin G2, ADRA1A) were also up-regulated and genes involved in apoptosis and cell death (p-57, BCL2, TNF1a) were down-regulated. Using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis the most relevant pathways modulated by the in vivo interaction between MM cells and BMSCs were IL-6, IGF1, TGF-beta and ERK/MAPK-mediated pathways as well as cell-cycle regulation and chemokine signalling. These results are consistent with previously observed in vitro cell signalling studies. Taken together these results highlight the ability of BM microenvironment to modulate the gene expression profile of the MM cells and our ability to in vivo monitor the changes. This model thus provides us with an ability to study in vivo effects of novel agents on expression profile of MM cells in BM milieu, to pre-clinically characterize their activity.

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Combined Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide, and Alemtuzumab (FCC), an Active Regimen for Treated Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v110.11.3133.3133 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 110 (11) ◽

pp. 3133-3133 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marco Montillo ◽

Sara Miqueleiz ◽

Alessandra Tedeschi ◽

Francesca Ricci ◽

Eleonora Vismara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Single Agent ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Combination Regimen ◽

Synergistic Activity ◽

Color Flow ◽

Grade Iii

Abstract Fludarabine (F) in combination with cyclophosphamide (C) showed a relevant advantage over single-agent F in pts with relapsed CLL. Although minimal residual disease (MRD) remains detectable in many pts achieving CR, the combination of F and C seems to reduce MRD more efficiently. Still, pts in CR eventually relapse and require treatment, demonstrating the need for improved treatments able to further reduce or eliminate MRD and induce “better quality” and thus more durable responses. Alemtuzumab (CAM), anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, acts synergistically with F in vitro and appears to have synergistic activity in vivo. Additionally, CAM is highly effective at clearing disease from bone marrow, the usual site of residual disease following purine analogue-based treatment. Therefore, we designed a phase II study to determine feasibility and efficacy, overall response rate (ORR)-duration of response-ability at clearing MRD, of a 4-weekly combination regimen consisting of F, C, and CAM (FCC). The study population is represented by pts with B-CLL with relapsed or refractory disease after at least one line of treatment. Subcutaneous route of administration of CAM has been adopted in this trial. MRD was measured by 4-color flow cytometry in the bone marrow. The FCC regimen consisted of F 40 mg/m2/d os (d 1–3), C 250 mg/m2/d os (d 1–3) and CAM 10 mg sc (d 1–3). This combination was repeated on d 29 for up to 6 cycles. The dose of CAM was increased after the first cohort of 10 treated pts from 10 mg to 20 mg sc. Currently, 25 pts have been enrolled in this trial. Median age was 57 years (range 42–79), 15/25 (60%) were male, 23/25 (92%) were in Binet stage B or C, median number of prior treatment regimens was 2 (range 1–4). In six (24%) pts 17p deletion was detected. IgVH unmutated was observed in 17 (68%) pts. At the moment of writing 19 pts are eligible for evaluation of toxicity and response. The ORR was 79%, with 7 (37%) pts achieving CR, 7 (37%) pts a PR, 1 (5%) pt a PRn. Three pts had SD, while 1 showed progression of the disease. MRD negativity was achieved in the bone marrow of 4/15 (27%) pts. Grade III-IV neutropenia episodes were observed in 43% of the administered courses while grade III-IV thrombocytopenia episodes were detected only in 8% of cycles. Four major infections were recorded: two sustained by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (1 cutis, 1 lung), one by Nocardia (lung) and one by E. coli (sepsis). The patient with pneumonia due to M. tuberculosis died because of respiratory failure. CMV reactivation occurred in 6 pts: no CMV disease was recorded. After a median follow up of 10 m (range 1–22) 73% of responding pts did not progressed. In conclusion, results from the interim analysis of this new, 4-weekly dosing FCC regimen suggest that combination therapy with F, C and CAM is feasible, safe, and effective in treating pts with relapsed and refractory CLL, even in those patients with inherent poor prognostic factors and who had received.

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