scholarly journals Myeloid differentiation mediated through retinoic acid receptor/retinoic X receptor (RXR) not RXR/RXR pathway

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 446-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
MI Dawson ◽  
E Elstner ◽  
M Kizaki ◽  
DL Chen ◽  
S Pakkala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Myeloid Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Cd11b Expression ◽  
Inhibition Of Proliferation

Abstract Retinoids, such as all-trans-retinoic acid and 9-cis-retinoic acid, are naturally occurring ligands of the nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs). In concert with binding of ligand, these receptors from heterodimers with the retinoic X receptor (RXR) and transactivate RAR/RXR-responsive genes. Retinoids can differentiate leukemic cell lines in vitro and induce clinically complete remissions in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Synthetic ligands to the RAR and RXR receptors have been developed that selectively bind and activate RAR/RXR (TTAB) and RXR/RXR dimers (SR11217). We investigated the affect of these ligands, either alone or in combination, on in vitro growth and differentiation of cells from the HL-60, KG-1, THP-1, and WEHI-3 myeloid cell lines as well as on clonal growth of fresh myeloid leukemic blasts from patients. Clonal inhibition of proliferation of these cells was studied in soft agar cultures. Cells were plated in the presence of either one or a combination of retinoids at concentrations of 10(-5) to 10(-10) mol/L. TTAB inhibited 50% clonal growth at an effective dose (ED50) that was about 1,000-fold lower than the concentration of SR11217 required to achieve an ED50 for the same leukemic cells. Combination of both ligands at a variety of concentrations showed no synergistic effects. Superoxide production (nitroblue tetrazolium reduction) and CD11b expression as parameters of differentiation of HL-60 cells were also examined. Results paralleled those of clonal growth, with SR11217 being markedly less potent than TTAB. These results show that the ligand selective for RXR-homodimers has little effect on either inducing differentiation or inhibiting clonal growth of leukemic cells. The differentiating and antiproliferative effects of retinoids are mainly induced through RAR/RXR heterodimers, and development of therapeutic analogs should focus on this category of retinoids.

scholarly journals Myeloid differentiation mediated through retinoic acid receptor/retinoic X receptor (RXR) not RXR/RXR pathway

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 446-452
Author(s):  
MI Dawson ◽  
E Elstner ◽  
M Kizaki ◽  
DL Chen ◽  
S Pakkala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Myeloid Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Cd11b Expression ◽  
Inhibition Of Proliferation

Retinoids, such as all-trans-retinoic acid and 9-cis-retinoic acid, are naturally occurring ligands of the nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs). In concert with binding of ligand, these receptors from heterodimers with the retinoic X receptor (RXR) and transactivate RAR/RXR-responsive genes. Retinoids can differentiate leukemic cell lines in vitro and induce clinically complete remissions in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Synthetic ligands to the RAR and RXR receptors have been developed that selectively bind and activate RAR/RXR (TTAB) and RXR/RXR dimers (SR11217). We investigated the affect of these ligands, either alone or in combination, on in vitro growth and differentiation of cells from the HL-60, KG-1, THP-1, and WEHI-3 myeloid cell lines as well as on clonal growth of fresh myeloid leukemic blasts from patients. Clonal inhibition of proliferation of these cells was studied in soft agar cultures. Cells were plated in the presence of either one or a combination of retinoids at concentrations of 10(-5) to 10(-10) mol/L. TTAB inhibited 50% clonal growth at an effective dose (ED50) that was about 1,000-fold lower than the concentration of SR11217 required to achieve an ED50 for the same leukemic cells. Combination of both ligands at a variety of concentrations showed no synergistic effects. Superoxide production (nitroblue tetrazolium reduction) and CD11b expression as parameters of differentiation of HL-60 cells were also examined. Results paralleled those of clonal growth, with SR11217 being markedly less potent than TTAB. These results show that the ligand selective for RXR-homodimers has little effect on either inducing differentiation or inhibiting clonal growth of leukemic cells. The differentiating and antiproliferative effects of retinoids are mainly induced through RAR/RXR heterodimers, and development of therapeutic analogs should focus on this category of retinoids.

Effects of Novel RAR- and RXR-Selective Retinoids on Myeloid Leukemic Proliferation and Differentiation In Vitro

Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 2057-2066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaaki Shiohara ◽  
Marcia I. Dawson ◽  
Peter D. Hobbs ◽  
Nobukuni Sawai ◽  
Tsukasa Higuchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Cd11b Expression ◽  
Nb4 Cells ◽  
Continuous Contact ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Factor C

Retinoids such as all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA) have an important role in many aspects of proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. They exert their effects by binding to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and/or retinoid X receptors (RXRs). We studied the effects of novel retinoids on proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 and NB4 myeloid leukemic cells, as well as acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells from patients. RXR-selective SR11345 (Retinoid C) had little ability to inhibit the clonal growth and to induce the differentiation of either HL-60 or NB4 cells. However, SR11276 (Retinoid E), which activated both the RAR and RXR classes, and SR11278 (Retinoid D), which activated the RAR subtypes , β, and γ, could inhibit clonal growth of both cell types, as well as leukemic cells from APL patients. The combination of ATRA and either SR11276 or SR11278 additively inhibited APL cell proliferation. SR11302 (Retinoid A), with reported anti-AP–1 activity and no activation of RARs and RXR and SR11363 (Retinoid B), which selectively activated RARβ and γ, were inactive. The clonal proliferation of both HL-60 and NB4 cells that were pulse-exposed to 10-9 mol/L ATRA, SR11276, SR11278, or SR11345 for 3 days, washed, and plated in methylcellulose culture were inhibited by 0%, 51%, 21%, and 1% for HL-60 cells and 43%, 41%, 35%, and 1% for NB4, respectively, compared with nontreated control cells. When the HL-60 cells were pulse-exposed to 10-9 mol/L of either SR11278 or SR11276, plus 10-9 mol/L ATRA for 3 days, colony numbers were reduced by 46% and 64%, respectively. Induction of leukemic cell differentiation as determined by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay showed that the combination of 10-7 mol/L of either SR11278 or SR11276 with 10-7 mol/L ATRA had additive effects on HL-60 cells, NB4 cells, and fresh APL cells. Induction of CD11b expression on both HL-60 and NB4 cells occurs during their differentiation. Expression of this antigen was synergistically augmented by the combination of either 10-7 to 10-8 mol/L SR11278 or 10-7to 10-9 mol/L SR11276 with 10-9 mol/L ATRA compared with either analog alone in HL-60 cells. Expression of the novel myeloid specific transcription factor C/EBPɛ was increased by SR11278 and SR11276 in both the HL-60 and NB4 cell lines. We conclude that retinoids or combination of retinoids with specificities for both RAR and RXR may markedly enhance the ability of ATRA to inhibit clonal growth and induce differentiation of HL-60 and NB4 leukemic cells. This occurs in the absence of continuous contact with retinoids.

scholarly journals Effects of novel retinoid X receptor-selective ligands on myeloid leukemia differentiation and proliferation in vitro

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 1977-1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kizaki ◽  
MI Dawson ◽  
R Heyman ◽  
E Elster ◽  
R Morosetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells ◽  
Differentiation And Proliferation ◽  
Acute Myeloid

The biologic effects of retinoids such as all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and 9-cis-retinoic acid on proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells are mediated by binding and activating two distinct families of transcription factors: the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). The RARs require heterodimerization with RXRs; in addition, RXRs can form homodimers, which can bind to DNA response elements that are either distinct or the same as those bound by the RAR/RXR heterodimers. Therefore, the two retinoid pathways provide sequences that are specific for effective DNA binding and activation of target genes. We have developed several series of novel synthetic retinoids that selectively interact with RXR/RXR homodimers and RAR/RXR heterodimers. We show here that SR11236 and SR11246, which are RXR-selective analogs, had little ability to inhibit clonal growth and induce differentiation of leukemic cells (HL- 60 cells and fresh acute myeloid leukemia cells). However, SR11249, SR11256, and LGD1069, which activated both RXR/RXR homodimers and RAR/RXR heterodimers, could inhibit clonal growth and induce differentiation of HL-60 cells as well as leukemic cells from patients, including those with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This is similar to results observed with RAR/RXR-specific ligands. Interestingly, the combination of ATRA and either SR11249, SR11256, or LGD1069 showed synergistic effects in inducing differentiation of HL-60 cells. A retinoid (SR11238) with strong anti-AP-1 activity that did not activate the RARs and RXRs for gene transcription from the response element TREpal was inactive in our assay systems, suggesting that the antiproliferative effects of retinoids on leukemic cells is not mediated by inhibiting the AP-1 pathway. We conclude that the RAR/RXR pathway is more important than RXR/RXR pathway for differentiation and proliferation of acute myeloid leukemic cells, and certain retinoids or combination of retinoids with both RAR and RXR specificities may synergistically enhance the differentiation activity of ATRA, which may be relevant in several clinical situations.

scholarly journals 9-cis-retinoic acid: effects on normal and leukemic hematopoiesis in vitro

Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1009-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Sakashita ◽  
M Kizaki ◽  
S Pakkala ◽  
G Schiller ◽  
N Tsuruoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Clonal Proliferation ◽  
Normal Individuals ◽  
Cellular Responsiveness ◽  
X Receptors

Retinoic acid exhibits effects on the proliferation and differentiation of many hematopoietic cells. Cellular responsiveness to retinoic acid (RA) is conferred through two distinct classes of nuclear receptors, the RA receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). The RARs bind to both 9-cis- and all-trans-RAs, but 9-cis-RA alone directly binds and activates RXR. This suggested that 9-cis-RA could have expanded hematopoietic activities as compared with all-trans-RA. We compared the abilities of 9-cis- and all-trans-RAs to induce differentiation and inhibit proliferation of three acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cell lines and fresh leukemic cells from 28 patients and found that: (1) 9-cis-RA in general was more potent than all-trans-RA in suppressing the clonal growth of two AML cell lines and 17 AML samples from patients, including four from individuals with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Eleven leukemic samples, including three from patients with chronic myelogenous or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, were relatively refractory to both retinoids. (2) The range of activities of both retinoids was similar except that the clonal growth of samples from three AML patients were inhibited by 9-cis-RA, but not by all-trans-RA. (3) Both retinoids inhibited the clonal proliferation of leukemia cells without necessarily inducing their differentiation; in fact, the only fresh AML cells that were able to undergo differentiation were from patients with APL and one individual with M2 AML. (4) Both retinoids enhanced myeloid and erythroid clonal growth from normal individuals, and 9-cis-RA showed slightly more stimulation of the myeloid clonal growth than did the all-trans-RA. Our study suggests that 9-cis-RA is worthy of further study for the treatment of selected individuals with AML.

scholarly journals Effects of novel retinoid X receptor-selective ligands on myeloid leukemia differentiation and proliferation in vitro

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 1977-1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kizaki ◽  
MI Dawson ◽  
R Heyman ◽  
E Elster ◽  
R Morosetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells ◽  
Differentiation And Proliferation ◽  
Acute Myeloid

Abstract The biologic effects of retinoids such as all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and 9-cis-retinoic acid on proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells are mediated by binding and activating two distinct families of transcription factors: the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). The RARs require heterodimerization with RXRs; in addition, RXRs can form homodimers, which can bind to DNA response elements that are either distinct or the same as those bound by the RAR/RXR heterodimers. Therefore, the two retinoid pathways provide sequences that are specific for effective DNA binding and activation of target genes. We have developed several series of novel synthetic retinoids that selectively interact with RXR/RXR homodimers and RAR/RXR heterodimers. We show here that SR11236 and SR11246, which are RXR-selective analogs, had little ability to inhibit clonal growth and induce differentiation of leukemic cells (HL- 60 cells and fresh acute myeloid leukemia cells). However, SR11249, SR11256, and LGD1069, which activated both RXR/RXR homodimers and RAR/RXR heterodimers, could inhibit clonal growth and induce differentiation of HL-60 cells as well as leukemic cells from patients, including those with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This is similar to results observed with RAR/RXR-specific ligands. Interestingly, the combination of ATRA and either SR11249, SR11256, or LGD1069 showed synergistic effects in inducing differentiation of HL-60 cells. A retinoid (SR11238) with strong anti-AP-1 activity that did not activate the RARs and RXRs for gene transcription from the response element TREpal was inactive in our assay systems, suggesting that the antiproliferative effects of retinoids on leukemic cells is not mediated by inhibiting the AP-1 pathway. We conclude that the RAR/RXR pathway is more important than RXR/RXR pathway for differentiation and proliferation of acute myeloid leukemic cells, and certain retinoids or combination of retinoids with both RAR and RXR specificities may synergistically enhance the differentiation activity of ATRA, which may be relevant in several clinical situations.

scholarly journals 9-cis-retinoic acid: effects on normal and leukemic hematopoiesis in vitro

Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 1009-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Sakashita ◽  
M Kizaki ◽  
S Pakkala ◽  
G Schiller ◽  
N Tsuruoka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Clonal Proliferation ◽  
Normal Individuals ◽  
Cellular Responsiveness ◽  
X Receptors

Abstract Retinoic acid exhibits effects on the proliferation and differentiation of many hematopoietic cells. Cellular responsiveness to retinoic acid (RA) is conferred through two distinct classes of nuclear receptors, the RA receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). The RARs bind to both 9-cis- and all-trans-RAs, but 9-cis-RA alone directly binds and activates RXR. This suggested that 9-cis-RA could have expanded hematopoietic activities as compared with all-trans-RA. We compared the abilities of 9-cis- and all-trans-RAs to induce differentiation and inhibit proliferation of three acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cell lines and fresh leukemic cells from 28 patients and found that: (1) 9-cis-RA in general was more potent than all-trans-RA in suppressing the clonal growth of two AML cell lines and 17 AML samples from patients, including four from individuals with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Eleven leukemic samples, including three from patients with chronic myelogenous or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, were relatively refractory to both retinoids. (2) The range of activities of both retinoids was similar except that the clonal growth of samples from three AML patients were inhibited by 9-cis-RA, but not by all-trans-RA. (3) Both retinoids inhibited the clonal proliferation of leukemia cells without necessarily inducing their differentiation; in fact, the only fresh AML cells that were able to undergo differentiation were from patients with APL and one individual with M2 AML. (4) Both retinoids enhanced myeloid and erythroid clonal growth from normal individuals, and 9-cis-RA showed slightly more stimulation of the myeloid clonal growth than did the all-trans-RA. Our study suggests that 9-cis-RA is worthy of further study for the treatment of selected individuals with AML.

Differential expression of a novel proline-rich homeobox gene (Prh) in human hematolymphopoietic cells

Blood ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 1237-1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Manfioletti ◽  
V Gattei ◽  
E Buratti ◽  
A Rustighi ◽  
A De Iuliis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Maturation Stage ◽  
Lymphoid Tissues ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
B Cell Differentiation ◽  
Leukemic Cell Lines

Proline-rich homeobox (Prh) is a novel human homeobox-containing gene recently isolated from the CD34+ cell line KG-1A, and whose expression appears mainly restricted to hematopoietic tissues. To define the pattern of Prh expression within the human hematopoietic system, we have analyzed its constitutive expression in purified cells obtained from normal hematopoietic tissues, its levels of transcription in a number of leukemia/lymphoma cell lines representing different lineages and stages of hematolymphopoietic differentiation, and its regulation during in vitro maturation of human leukemic cell lines. Prh transcripts were not detected in leukemic cells of T-lymphoid lineage, irrespective of their maturation stage, and in resting or activated normal T cells from peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues. In contrast, high levels of Prh expression were shown in cells representing early stages of B lymphoid maturation, being maintained up to the level of circulating and tissue mature B cells. Terminal B-cell differentiation appeared to be conversely associated with the deactivation of the gene, since preplasmacytic and plasmocytoma cell lines were found not to express Prh mRNA. Prh transcripts were also shown in human cell lines of early myelomonocytic, erythromegakaryocytic, and preosteoclast phenotypes. Prh expression was lost upon in vitro differentiation of leukemic cell lines into mature monocyte-macrophages and megakaryocytes, whereas it was maintained or upregulated after induction of maturation to granulocytes and osteoclasts. Accordingly, circulating normal monocytes did not display Prh mRNA, which was conversely detected at high levels in purified normal granulocytes. Our data, which show that the acquisition of the differentiated phenotype is associated to Prh downregulation in certain hematopoietic cells but not in others, also suggest that a dysregulated expression of this gene might contribute to the process of leukemogenesis within specific cell lineages.

scholarly journals cis-Retinoic acid stimulates the clonal growth of some myeloid leukemia cells in vitro

Blood ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 302-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
HJ Lawrence ◽  
K Conner ◽  
MA Kelly ◽  
MR Haussler ◽  
P Wallace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Colony Growth ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Leukemia Cells ◽  
Human Leukemia ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Drug Concentrations

Abstract We studied the effects of cis-retinoic acid (cisRA) on the clonogenic growth of samples of leukemic cells from 35 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). We observed significant inhibition of leukemic colony growth in 17 samples by 10(-7) to 10(-6)M cisRA. However, we found that retinoid exposure resulted in striking stimulation of clonal growth in ten samples at the same drug concentrations. With the exception of cases with promyelocytic features, there was no morphologic or functional evidence that cisRA induced the leukemic blasts to differentiate. Both inhibition and stimulation were dose-dependent and observable at pharmacologically achievable levels of cisRA. Leukemic cells with monocytic features more frequently demonstrated a stimulatory response than did those without monocytic features. Depletion of T lymphocytes and monocytes did not alter the type of growth response. Assays for cellular retinoic acid- binding protein (CRABP) were performed on five samples (two with inhibitory growth responses, two with stimulatory responses, and one with no growth) and failed to reveal detectable levels of CRABP in any case. The addition of cisRA to liquid suspensions of leukemic cells produced no significant change in the number of viable cells. We conclude that the effects of cisRA on leukemic colony growth are not cytotoxic and not mediated by T lymphocytes, monocytes, or CRABP. More importantly, cisRA appears to enhance the growth of certain human leukemia cells in vitro. Taking into account the increasing use of retinoids in clinical trials for patients with leukemia, the latter findings may represent a significant cautionary note.

Pioglitazone Inhibits the Growth of Human Leukemic Cell Lines and Primary Leukemic Cells in Vitro.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4493-4493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Hatta ◽  
Minoru Saiki ◽  
Yuko Enomoto ◽  
Shin Aizawa ◽  
Umihiko Sawada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Colony Formation ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Leukemic Cell Lines ◽  
Ppar Γ

Abstract Troglitazone and pioglitazone are one of thiazolidinediones that are high affinity ligand for the nuclear receptor called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). Troglitazone is a potent inhibitor of clonogenic growth of acute myeloid leukemia cells when combined with a retinoid. However, the effect of pioglitazone to neoplastic cells and normal hematopoietic cells has not been studied yet. Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), prevalent in western Japan, is a highly aggressive malignancy of mature T lymphocyte. Therefore, we studied antitumor effect of pioglitazone against leukemic cells including ATL as well as normal hematopoietic cells. With 300 μM of pioglitazone, colony formation of ATL cell lines (MT1, MT2, F6T, OKM3T, and Su9T01) was completely inhibited. Colony formation of HUT102, another ATL cell line, was 12 % compared to untreated control. Clonogenic cells of other leukemic cell lines (K562, HL60, U937, HEL, CEM, and NALM1) was also inhibited to 0–30% of control. Colony formation of primary leukemic cells from 5 AML patients was decreased to 15 %. However, normal hematopoietic cells were weakly inhibited with 300 μM pioglitazone; 77 % of CFU-GM, 70 % of CFU-E, and 33 % of BFU-E survived. Cell cycle analysis showed that pioglitazone decreased the ratio of G2/M phase in HL60 cells, suggesting the inhibition of cell division. By Western blotting, PPAR-γ protein level was similar in all leukemic cells and normal bone marrow mononuclear cells. Taken together, pioglitazone effectively eliminate leukemic cells and could be used as an antitumor agent in vivo.

Role of Erythropoietin Receptor in t(12;21) Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 2792-2792
Author(s):  
Renate Panzer-Gruemayer ◽  
Gerd Krapf ◽  
Dominik Beck ◽  
Gerhard Fuka ◽  
Christian Bieglmayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Erythropoietin Receptor ◽  
Molecular Signature ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract The chromosomal translocation t(12;21)(p13;q22) resulting in the TEL/AML1 (also known as ETV6/ RUNX1) fusion gene is the most frequent translocation in childhood B cell precursor (BCP) ALL. This type of ALL is characterized by a unique molecular signature, which includes the overexpression of the gene for the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR). So far, it is not known what causes the overexpression of the EpoR gene or whether it has any effect on the t(12;21) positive leukemia. We therefore aimed to evaluate potential mechanisms responsible for the upregulation of the EpoR in t(12;21) leukemias and to find out whether signalling via this receptor affects survival or proliferation of leukemic cells. In addition, we planned to explore signalling pathways linked to the respective effects and to elucidate relevant mechanisms that might be essential for cell survival. We first excluded the possibility that the EpoR expression is upregulated as a consequence of high Epo levels in the plasma that are induced by the patients’ low hemoglobin (Hb) levels. While Hb levels from patients with t(12;21)+ ALL were significantly lower compared to those with other subtypes of BCP ALL (median, 6,15g/dL and 7,9g/dL, respectively; p<0.001 Wilcoxon 2- sample test), which correlated with high Epo levels in the plasma, the extent of EpoR mRNA expression of leukemic cells was independent of the respective amount of Epo in the individual patient’s plasma. Next, the influence of Epo on t(12;21) + leukemic cell lines was evaluated and revealed a consistent time and dose dependent increase in proliferation (Epo concentrations 10, 50, 100U/ml for 72 hours) determined by 3H-Thymidine incorporation. This effect was abrogated upon addition of a blocking anti-EpoR antibody thereby confirming the specificity of EpoR signalling. Since Epo may have apoptosis-modulating potential in EpoR expressing malignant cells, we tested its influence on drug-induced apoptosis. For this purpose IC50 concentrations of drugs that are commonly used for the treatment of children with BCP ALL were used. A reduction of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced apoptosis by Epo was demonstrated in t(12;21)+ cell lines while no effect was seen in combination with other drugs or in t(12;21) negative cell lines. Preliminary data indicate that NF-kappa B as well as PI3K/Akt pathways are triggered by Epo, implying that they play a role in this rescue mechanism. Given that cell lines may have intrinsic changes, we are presently evaluating whether the observed results can also be reproduced in primary leukemic cells. In support of this assumption are results in a limited number of primary t(12;21)+ leukemias showing a superior survival (MTT assay) and reduced apoptosis rate to GC when cultured in the presence of Epo. These findings are in contrast to those in t(12;21) negative BCP ALLs. In conclusion, our data indicate that overexpression of EpoR in t(12;21) positive leukemias is not induced by low Hb, a feature that is generally observed in patients with this type of leukemia. Binding of Epo to its receptor in vitro leads to enhanced survival and negatively affects the sensitivity to GCs. Whether these findings have any implications on the treatment and care of patients with t(12;21)+ leukemia needs to be addressed in further studies. Financial support: OENB10720, FWF P17551-B14 and GENAU-CHILD Projekt GZ200.136/1 - VI/1/2005 to RPG.

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