scholarly journals Identification of Potential Glucocorticoid Receptor Therapeutic Targets in Multiple Myeloma

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. nrs.13006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra L. Thomas ◽  
Cristian Coarfa ◽  
Jun Qian ◽  
Joseph J. Wilkerson ◽  
Kimal Rajapakshe ◽  
...  

Glucocorticoids (GC) are a cornerstone of combination therapies for multiple myeloma. However, patients ultimately develop resistance to GCs frequently based on decreased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression. An understanding of the direct targets of GC actions, which induce cell death, is expected to culminate in potential therapeutic strategies for inducing cell death by regulating downstream targets in the absence of a functional GR. The specific goal of our research is to identify primary GR targets that contribute to GC-induced cell death, with the ultimate goal of developing novel therapeutics around these targets that can be used to overcome resistance to GCs in the absence of GR. Using the MM.1S glucocorticoid-sensitive human myeloma cell line, we began with the broad platform of gene expression profiling to identify glucocorticoid-regulated genes further refined by combination treatment with phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase inhibition (PI3Ki). To further refine the search to distinguish direct and indirect targets of GR that respond to the combination GC and PI3Ki treatment of MM.1S cells, we integrated 1) gene expression profiles of combination GC treatment with PI3Ki, which induces synergistic cell death; 2) negative correlation between genes inhibited by combination treatment in MM.1S cells and genes over-expressed in myeloma patients to establish clinical relevance and 3) GR chromatin immunoprecipitation with massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-Seq) in myeloma cells to identify global chromatin binding for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Using established bioinformatics platforms, we have integrated these data sets to identify a subset of candidate genes that may form the basis for a comprehensive picture of glucocorticoid actions in multiple myeloma. As a proof of principle, we have verified two targets, namely RRM2 and BCL2L1, as primary functional targets of GR involved in GC-induced cell death..

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (24) ◽  
pp. 5552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriella Casalino ◽  
Mauro Coluccia ◽  
Maria L. Pati ◽  
Alessandra Pannunzio ◽  
Angelo Vacca ◽  
...  

Microarray data are a kind of numerical non-negative data used to collect gene expression profiles. Since the number of genes in DNA is huge, they are usually high dimensional, therefore they require dimensionality reduction and clustering techniques to extract useful information. In this paper we use NMF, non-negative matrix factorization, to analyze microarray data, and also develop “intelligent” results visualization with the aim to facilitate the analysis of the domain experts. For this purpose, a case study based on the analysis of the gene expression profiles (GEPs), representative of the human multiple myeloma diseases, was investigated in 40 human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs). The aim of the experiments was to study the genes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism in order to detect gene patterns that possibly could be connected to the different gene expression profiles of multiple myeloma. NMF results have been verified by western blotting analysis in six HMCLs of proteins expressed by some of the most abundantly expressed genes. The experiments showed the effectiveness of NMF in intelligently analyzing microarray data.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e58809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingxiang Li ◽  
Xujun Wang ◽  
Haiyang Zheng ◽  
Chengyang Wang ◽  
Stéphane Minvielle ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Fairfield ◽  
Samantha Costa ◽  
Carolyne Falank ◽  
Mariah Farrell ◽  
Connor S. Murphy ◽  
...  

Within the bone marrow microenvironment, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an essential precursor to bone marrow adipocytes and osteoblasts. The balance between this progenitor pool and mature cells (adipocytes and osteoblasts) is often skewed by disease and aging. In multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer of the plasma cell that predominantly grows within the bone marrow, as well as other cancers, MSCs, preadipocytes, and adipocytes have been shown to directly support tumor cell survival and proliferation. Increasing evidence supports the idea that MM-associated MSCs are distinct from healthy MSCs, and their gene expression profiles may be predictive of myeloma patient outcomes. Here we directly investigate how MM cells affect the differentiation capacity and gene expression profiles of preadipocytes and bone marrow MSCs. Our studies reveal that MM.1S cells cause a marked decrease in lipid accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Also, MM.1S cells or MM.1S-conditioned media altered gene expression profiles of both 3T3-L1 and mouse bone marrow MSCs. 3T3-L1 cells exposed to MM.1S cells before adipogenic differentiation displayed gene expression changes leading to significantly altered pathways involved in steroid biosynthesis, the cell cycle, and metabolism (oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis) after adipogenesis. MM.1S cells induced a marked increase in 3T3-L1 expression of MM-supportive genes including Il-6 and Cxcl12 (SDF1), which was confirmed in mouse MSCs by qRT-PCR, suggesting a forward-feedback mechanism. In vitro experiments revealed that indirect MM exposure prior to differentiation drives a senescent-like phenotype in differentiating MSCs, and this trend was confirmed in MM-associated MSCs compared to MSCs from normal donors. In direct co-culture, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) exposed to MM.1S, RPMI-8226, and OPM-2 prior to and during differentiation, exhibited different levels of lipid accumulation as well as secreted cytokines. Combined, our results suggest that MM cells can inhibit adipogenic differentiation while stimulating expression of the senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and other pro-myeloma molecules. This study provides insight into a novel way in which MM cells manipulate their microenvironment by altering the expression of supportive cytokines and skewing the cellular diversity of the marrow.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 1344-1344
Author(s):  
Holly A. F. Stessman ◽  
Tian Xia ◽  
Aatif Mansoor ◽  
Raamesh Deshpande ◽  
Linda B. Baughn ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1344 Bortezomib/VELCADE® (Bz) is a proteasome inhibitor that has been used successfully in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. However, acquired resistance to Bz is an emerging problem. Thus, there is a need for novel therapeutic combinations that enhance Bz sensitivity or re-sensitize Bz resistant MM cells to Bz. The Connectivity Map (CMAP; Broad Institute) database contains treatment-induced transcriptional signatures from 1,309 bioactive compounds in 4 human cancer cell lines. An input signature can be used to query the database for correlated drug signatures, a technique that has been used previously to identify drugs that combat chemoresistance in cancer (Wei, et al. Cancer Cell (2006) 10:331). In this study we used in silico bioinformatic screening of gene expression profiles from isogenic pairs of Bz sensitive and resistant mouse cell lines derived from the iMycCα/Bcl-xL mouse model of plasma cell malignancy to identify compounds that combat Bz resistance. We established Bz-induced kinetic gene expression profiles (GEPs) in 3 pairs of Bz sensitive and resistant mouse cell lines over the course of 24 hours. GEPs were collected in the absence of large-scale cell death. The 16 and 24 hour time points were averaged and compared between each Bz sensitive and resistant pair. Genes in the sensitive cell line with a fold change greater than 2, relative to the resistant line, were given the binary distinction of “up” or “down” depending on the direction of change. Genes that met these criteria were assembled into signatures, and then used as inputs for CMAP queries to identify compounds that induce similar transcriptional responses. In all pairs, treatment of the Bz sensitive line correlated with GEPs of drugs that target the proteasome, NF-κB, HSP90 and microtubules, as indicated by positive connectivity scores. However eight compounds, all classified as Topoisomerase (Topo) I and/or II inhibitors, were negatively correlated to our input signature. A negative connectivity score could have two interpretations: (1) this could indicate simply that Topos are upregulated by Bz treatment in Bz sensitive lines, which has been previously reported (Congdan, et al. Biochem. Pharmacol. (2008) 74: 883); or (2) this score could be interpreted as Topos are inhibited in Bz resistant cells upon Bz treatment. This led us to ask whether Topo inhibitors could target Bz resistant MM cells and re-sensitize them to Bz. Indeed, we found that multiple Topo inhibitors were significantly more active against Bz resistant cells as single agents and restored sensitivity to Bz when combined with Bz as a cocktail regimen. This work demonstrates the potential of this in silico bioinformatic approach for identifying novel therapeutic combinations that overcome Bz resistance in MM. Furthermore, it identifies Topo inhibitors – drugs that are already approved for clinical use – as agents that may have utility in combating Bz resistance in refractory MM patients. Disclosures: Stessman: Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company: Research Funding. Van Ness:Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 560-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ma. Reina Improgo ◽  
Adam Kiezun ◽  
Yaoyu Wang ◽  
Lillian Werner ◽  
Petar Stojanov ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 560 Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) encompasses a family of transcription factors involved in oncogenic processes including cellular proliferation and apoptotic inhibition. Constitutive activation of NF-κB has been observed in hematologic malignancies and is thought to confer resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Here, we examine the role of the NF-κB pathway in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Whole-exome sequencing was performed using tumor and matched germline DNA from 167 CLL patients. We identified 51 patients (30%) carrying 53 non-silent somatic variants in genes of the canonical NF-κB pathway, which consists of 272 genes as defined by the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis tool. Of the 99 patients whose germline sequences have been analyzed to date, 27 patients (27%) carry 34 non-silent germline variants in NF-κB pathway genes. A total of 67 patients (40%) have at least one non-silent somatic or germline variant. Variants in the NFKB1 gene, itself, were also observed: a somatic variant, H66R, found in two patients, and two germline variants, Y89F and R849W, each found in one patient. To evaluate the functional consequences of the NFKB1 variants, we performed site-directed mutagenesis to generate full-length NFKB1 cDNAs encoding these variants. We subsequently measured transcriptional activity of wild-type and mutant NFKB1 via luciferase assays in HEK293T cells using reporter cassettes containing the NFKB1 response element. Transcriptional activity of the three NFKB1 variants was found to be at least 2-fold higher than that of wild-type NFKB1 (p<0.0001). We further hypothesized that this increased transcriptional activity would lead to increased expression of NFKB1 downstream target genes. Analysis of gene expression profiles from Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 Arrays of 65 CLL patient samples showed that the NFKB1 downstream targets CCL3, CCL4, and CD69 are upregulated in NFKB1 variants. To validate these results, we performed quantitative RT-PCR in patients with (n=3) or without (n=9) NFKB1 variants and confirmed upregulation of CCL3 (p=0.0286), CCL4 (p=0.0384), and CD69 (p=0.0263). Direct transfection of HEK293T cells with NFKB1 variants also resulted in a 3.3-fold upregulation of CCL3 (p=0.05). To test the hypothesis that deregulation of the NF-κB pathway is a key mechanism in CLL, we compared gene expression profiles of NF-κB pathway genes between CLL patient samples (n=146) and normal B cells (n=16) and found overall upregulation of the NF-κB pathway in CLL (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, p=2.2e-16). K-means clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) further revealed that CLL patients can be divided into two subgroups exhibiting differential magnitude of NF-κB pathway upregulation. Studies in progress aim to identify the clinical significance of these subgroups. Finally, we assessed the effect of inhibiting the NF-κB pathway using the cell permeant NF-κB inhibitor, SN50. We performed Annexin V/PI staining 24 hours post-treatment in CLL cells with (n=9) or without (n=3) NF-κB pathway variants. SN50 increased cell death 1.8-fold in all cells tested (p<0.0001). Quantitative RT-PCR also showed a 59% decrease in expression of CCL3 one hour post-treatment, confirming inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that a high proportion of CLL patients harbor somatic and germline variants in NF-κB pathway genes, some of which appear to be functional. Furthermore, the NF-κB pathway is upregulated in CLL and pharmacological inhibition of the pathway leads to increased cancer cell death. Functional characterization of NF-κB pathway variants offers mechanistic insight into the disease, providing novel targets for therapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 3360-3360
Author(s):  
Erik Wendlandt ◽  
Guido J. Tricot ◽  
Benjamin Darbro ◽  
Fenghuang Zhan

Abstract Background: Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood borne neoplasia, accounting for nearly 10% of all diagnosed hematologic malignancies and has a disproportionately high incidence in elderly populations. Here we explored copy number variations using the high fidelity CytoScan HD arrays to develop a detailed map of copy number variations and identify novel mediators of disease progression. The results from CytoScan HD microarrays provide a detailed view of the entire genome with a resolution up to 25kb. Furthermore, 750,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms are included and the array provides information about loss of heterozygosity and uniparental disomy. Materials and methods: CytoScan HD arrays were performed on 97 myeloma patient samples to identify cytogenetic regions important to the development and progression of the disease. Gene expression profiles from 351 patients were analyzed to identify genes with a change in gene expression of 1.5 fold or more. Data from CytoScan and gene expression arrays was combined to perform chromosomal positional enrichment analysis to identify cytogenetic driver lesions, or lesions that provide a small, but significant growth and survival advantage to the cell. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test and Hazard ratio analyses were performed to identify gene within the driver lesions that have a significant impact on survival when dysregulated. Results: The results from the CytoScan HD analysis closely mirrored what has been shown by FISH and SNP arrays, with gains to the odd numbered chromosomes, specifically 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15 and 17 as well as losses to chromosomes 1p and 13. Interestingly, we identified gains to a small region within chromosome 8p, contrary to published reports demonstrating a large scale loss of this region. We identified numerous genes within this region that are important for survival and their overexpression resulted in a decreased progression free survival. For example, Cathepsin B (CTSB) is encoded for in chromosome 8p22-p21 with an increased gene expression of at least 1.5 fold over normal controls, among others. Furthermore, Cathepsin B, a cysteine protease, has been linked to cancer of the ileum, suggesting that a similar role may be present within myeloma. We then integrated the 97 copy number profiles results with 351 myeloma gene expression profiles to identify cytogenetic driver lesions in myeloma important for disease development, progression and poor clinical outcome. Chromosomal positional enrichment analysis was employed to identify global myeloma cytogenetic driver aneuploidies as well as develop unique cytogenetic copy number profiles. Our results identified portions of chromosomes 1q, 3, 8p, 9, 13q and 16q, among others, as important driver lesions with changes to these regions providing growth advantages to the cell. Furthermore, our analysis identified five unique cytogenetic classifications based on common cytogenetic lesions. We continue to explore these driver regions to identify lesions important for the oncogenic properties of the larger regions. Conclusion: The data presented here represents a novel and highly sensitive approach for the identification of novel copy number variations and driver lesions. Furthermore, correlations between copy number variations and gene expression arrays identified novel targets important for disease progression and patient survival. CytoScan HD arrays in conjunction with gene expression analysis provided a high resolution image of important cytogenetic lesions in myeloma and identified potentially important therapeutic targets for drug development. Further work is needed to validate our findings and determine the therapeutic efficacy of the identified targets. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 773-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-Sook Kim ◽  
Phanit Thammarat ◽  
Steven A. Lommel ◽  
Clifford S. Hogan ◽  
Amy O. Charkowski

The broad-host-range bacterial soft rot pathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum causes a DspE/F-dependent plant cell death on Nicotiana benthamiana within 24 h postinoculation (hpi) followed by leaf maceration within 48 hpi. P. carotovorum strains with mutations in type III secretion system (T3SS) regulatory and structural genes, including the dspE/F operon, did not cause hypersensitive response (HR)-like cell death and or leaf maceration. A strain with a mutation in the type II secretion system caused HR-like plant cell death but no maceration. P. carotovorum was unable to impede callose deposition in N. benthamiana leaves, suggesting that P. carotovorum does not suppress this basal immunity function. Within 24 hpi, there was callose deposition along leaf veins and examination showed that the pathogen cells were localized along the veins. To further examine HR-like plant cell death induced by P. carotovorum, gene expression profiles in N. benthamiana leaves inoculated with wild-type and mutant P. carotovorum and Pseudomonas syringae strains were compared. The N. benthamiana gene expression profile of leaves infiltrated with Pectobacterium carotovorum was similar to leaves infiltrated with a Pseudomonas syringae T3SS mutant. These data support a model where Pectobacterium carotovorum uses the T3SS to induce plant cell death in order to promote leaf maceration rather than to suppress plant immunity.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2671-2671
Author(s):  
Yan Cheng ◽  
Fumou Sun ◽  
Huojun Cao ◽  
Dongzheng Gai ◽  
Bailu Peng ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The development of new treatments for high-risk multiple myeloma (HRMM) are needed. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is one of the chief inhibitory immune checkpoints in antitumor immunity. Despite the success of PD-1 (PDCD1) / PD-L1 (CD274) blockade in some neoplasms, use of it as a monotherapy has failed to improve outcome in RRMM. We have previously demonstrated that the cell-cycle-regulated serine-threonine kinase, NEK2 is elevated in HRMM and that inhibition of NEK2 can overcome drug-resistance and prolong survival of xenografted MM cells. Here, we aimed to investigate the possible role of NEK2 in regulating the immune checkpoint response in MM and development of possible anti-PD1/PDL1 combination therapies. Methods Gene expression profiles and pathway enrichment analyses were conducted on oligonucleotide microarray gene expression profiles from over 1000 primary MM samples to evaluate the correlation of NEK2 and immune checkpoint expression levels. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we used Nek2 -/- mice crossed with EμMyc mice to generate B cell tumor mouse model with NEK2 deficiency. RNA-sequencing analyses of premalignant B cells was compared between EμMyc/Nek2 WT and EμMyc/Nek2 -/- mice. The hub molecular regulators in the NEK2 correlated pathways were further determined by western blot using NEK2 overexpressing and knockdown cell lines and then verified by co-immunoprecipitation with a NEK2 antibody. Lastly, to establish its clinic significance, the efficacy of INH1 (small compound NEK2 inhibitor), (D)-PPA 1 (peptide-based PD-1/PD-L1 interaction inhibitor) or a PD-L1 (monoclonal antibody) was tested in bone marrow BM mononuclear cells from primary MM patients in-vitro as well as in MM xenografts. Tumor burden and T cell immune responses were monitored by M-spike and mass cytometry. Results Gene expression profiles demonstrated that CD274 expression was significantly higher in the non-proliferative hyperdiploid (HY) subtype of MM, representing between 25-35% of all MM. NEK2 was negatively correlated with CD274 gene expression across all 7 MM subtypes. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that the IFN-γ signaling pathway, which can induce CD274 expression, was significantly enriched in the HY subtype as well as premalignant B cells from EμMyc/Nek2 -/- mice. Elevated expression of EZH2, a histone methyltransferase gene, is also highly correlated wirth NEK2 levels in primary MM. We found that NEK2 inhibition increases CD274 expression as well as reduced EZH2 expression and H3K27me3 levels in MM cell lines. In contrarst, myeloma cells overexpressing NEK2 showed increased expression and activity of EZH2 and H3K27me3 levels. Thus, NEK2 appears to regulate CD274/PD-L1 expression through EZH2-mediated histone methylation. Next we demonstrated that NEK2 and EZH2 directly interact and that overexpression of NEK2 leads to increased methylation of the CD274/PD-L1 gene. We treated BM mononuclear cells from primary MM with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor with and without a NEK2 inhibitor. The combination was most effective at eliminating CD138 + myeloma cells while having no effects on T, B and myeloid cell populations. Conclusion Our study showed that expression of CD274/PD-L1 is suppressed in primary HRMM and that CD274/PD-L1 expression is negatively regulated by NEK2 via EZH2-mediated methylation. Inhibition of NEK2 sensitizes myeloma cells to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, showing either a synergistic or an additive effect in MM cell cytotoxicity. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (24) ◽  
pp. 6298-6309
Author(s):  
Rowan Kuiper ◽  
Sonja Zweegman ◽  
Mark van Duin ◽  
Martin H. van Vliet ◽  
Erik H. van Beers ◽  
...  

Abstract The standard prognostic marker for multiple myeloma (MM) patients is the revised International Staging System (R-ISS). However, there is room for improvement in guiding treatment. This applies particularly to older patients, in whom the benefit/risk ratio is reduced because of comorbidities and subsequent side effects. We hypothesized that adding gene-expression data to R-ISS would generate a stronger marker. This was tested by combining R-ISS with the SKY92 classifier (SKY-RISS). The HOVON-87/NMSG-18 trial (EudraCT: 2007-004007-34) compared melphalan-prednisone-thalidomide followed by thalidomide maintenance (MPT-T) with melphalan-prednisone-lenalidomide followed by lenalidomide maintenance (MPR-R). From this trial, 168 patients with available R-ISS status and gene-expression profiles were analyzed. R-ISS stages I, II, and III were assigned to 8%, 75%, and 7% of patients, respectively (3-year overall survival [OS] rates: 80%, 65%, 33%, P = 8 × 10−3). Using the SKY92 classifier, 13% of patients were high risk (HR) (3-year OS rates: standard risk [SR], 70%; HR, 28%; P &lt; .001). Combining SKY92 with R-ISS resulted in 3 risk groups: SKY-RISS I (SKY-SR + R-ISS-I; 15%), SKY-RISS III (SKY-HR + R-ISS-II/III; 11%), and SKY-RISS II (all other patients; 74%). The 3-year OS rates for SKY-RISS I, II, and III are 88%, 66%, and 26%, respectively (P = 6 × 10−7). The SKY-RISS model was validated in older patients from the CoMMpass dataset. Moreover, SKY-RISS demonstrated predictive potential: HR patients appeared to benefit from MPR-R over MPT-T (median OS, 55 and 14 months, respectively). Combined, SKY92 and R-ISS classify patients more accurately. Additionally, benefit was observed for MPR-R over MPT-T in SKY92-RISS HR patients only.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document