scholarly journals The Bone Marrow Niche in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: The Role of Microenvironment from Pre-Leukemia to Overt Leukemia

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4426
Author(s):  
Erica Dander ◽  
Chiara Palmi ◽  
Giovanna D’Amico ◽  
Giovanni Cazzaniga
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow Niche ◽  
Disease Manifestation ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Genetic lesions predisposing to pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) arise in utero, generating a clinically silent pre-leukemic phase. We here reviewed the role of the surrounding bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in the persistence and transformation of pre-leukemic clones into fully leukemic cells. In this context, inflammation has been highlighted as a crucial microenvironmental stimulus able to promote genetic instability, leading to the disease manifestation. Moreover, we focused on the cross-talk between the bulk of leukemic cells with the surrounding microenvironment, which creates a “corrupted” BM malignant niche, unfavorable for healthy hematopoietic precursors. In detail, several cell subsets, including stromal, endothelial cells, osteoblasts and immune cells, composing the peculiar leukemic niche, can actively interact with B-ALL blasts. Through deregulated molecular pathways they are able to influence leukemia development, survival, chemoresistance, migratory and invasive properties. The concept that the pre-leukemic and leukemic cell survival and evolution are strictly dependent both on genetic lesions and on the external signals coming from the microenvironment paves the way to a new idea of dual targeting therapeutic strategy.

A Critical Role of Blockade of Cell Differentiation in BCR-ABL-Induced B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL): Basis for Superb Therapeutic Effect on B-ALL in Mice by Promotion of Pro-B Leukemic Cell Differentiation and Treatment with Imatinib.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 844-844
Author(s):  
Yiguo Hu ◽  
Linghong Kong ◽  
Kevin Staples ◽  
Kevin Mills ◽  
John G. Monroe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
B Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract The BCR-ABL oncogene induces human Philadelphia-positive (Ph+) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) that advances to acute phase of CML called blast crisis. In this acute phase, CML patients can develop either B-ALL or acute myeloid leukemia. In B-ALL, differentiation of leukemic cells are blocked at pro-/pre-B stage, and the underlying mechanism is unknown. We hypothesize that this blockade of B-cell differentiation may be important for the development of B-ALL induced by BCR-ABL, and if so, promotion of B-leukemic cell differentiation would create a novel therapeutic strategy for B-ALL. To test this hypothesis, we first compared the percentages of IgM+ B-leukemic cells in BALB/c and C57BL/6 (B6) mice with BCR-ABL-induced B-ALL, because we have previously found that B-ALL develops more quickly in BALB/c mice than in B6 mice (Li et al, J. Exp. Med.189:1399–1412, 1999). We expressed BCR-ABL in bone marrow (BM) using retroviral transduction and transplantation in these two different strains of inbred mice to induce B-ALL. There were significantly more peripheral blood B220+ B cells in BALB/c B-ALL mice than those in B6 mice, correlating to faster B-ALL in BALB/c mice than in B6 mice. Among these B220+ cells, IgM+ cells were much less in BALB/c mice than in B6 mice. We also compared rearrangement of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) heavy chains (m chains) between BALB/c and B6 backgrounds using BCR-ABL-expressing pro-B cell lines isolated from the B-ALL mice. Normal m chains rearrangement was found in B6 leukemic cells, but not in BALB/c leukemic cells. These results indicate that more differentiated B-leukemic cells are associated with less aggressive disease. To further demonstrate the role of blockade of B-cell differentiation in B-ALL development, we induced B-leukemic cell differentiation by co-expression of BCR-ABL and intact immunoregulatory tyrosine activation motifs (ITAM) contained in immunoglobulin (Ig)_/Igß complexes in BM cells of B-ALL mice, comparing to expression of BCR-ABL alone. We treated these mice with imatinib (orally, 100 mg/kg, twice a day). The treated mice with B-ALL induced by co-expression of BCR-ABL and ITAM lived three-week longer than those with B-ALL induced by BCR-ABL only, with some mice in long-term remission. Prolonged survival was associated with 50% increased B220+/IgM+ B-leukemic cells in peripheral blood of the mice. Taken together, our results demonstrate that blockade of B-cell differentiation is critical for the development of B-ALL induced by BCR-ABL, and provide a rationale for combination therapy of B-ALL with imatinib and induction of leukemic cell differentiation.

scholarly journals Bone marrow niche-derived extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes influence the progression of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Leukemia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1540-1552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divij Verma ◽  
Costanza Zanetti ◽  
Parimala Sonika Godavarthy ◽  
Rahul Kumar ◽  
Valentina R. Minciacchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Leukemia Cell ◽  
Bone Marrow Niche ◽  
Significant Prolongation ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

AbstractSpecific and reciprocal interactions with the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) govern the course of hematological malignancies. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), secreted by leukemia cells, facilitates tumor progression via remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the BMM. Hypothesizing that leukemias may instruct the BMM to degrade the ECM, we show, that MMP-9-deficiency in the BMM prolongs survival of mice with BCR-ABL1-induced B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) compared with controls and reduces leukemia-initiating cells. MMP-9-deficiency in the BMM leads to reduced degradation of proteins of the ECM and reduced invasion of B-ALL. Using various in vivo and in vitro assays, as well as recipient mice deficient for the receptor for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α (TNFR1) we demonstrate that B-ALL cells induce MMP-9-expression in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and possibly other cells of the BMM via a release of TNFα. MMP-9-expression in MSC is mediated by activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) downstream of TNFR1. Consistently, knockdown of TNF-α in B-ALL-initiating cells or pharmacological inhibition of MMP-9 led to significant prolongation of survival in mice with B-ALL. In summary, leukemia cell-derived Tnfα induced MMP-9-expression by the BMM promoting B-ALL progression. Inhibition of MMP-9 may act as an adjunct to existing therapies.

CXCR4 Antagonists Mobilize Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells into the Peripheral Blood and Inhibit Engraftment in Mice.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 4592-4592
Author(s):  
Julius Juarez ◽  
John Hewson ◽  
Adam Cisterne ◽  
Rana Baraz ◽  
Kenneth F. Bradstock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Cxcr4 Antagonists

Abstract The role of CXCL12 in the growth of B cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the homing of these cells to the bone marrow has been well established. However the effect of modulating CXCL12/CXCR4 interactions on the growth of ALL cells in vivo has not been examined. In this study we used specific peptide and small molecule antagonists of CXCR4 to examine the importance of CXCL12/CXCR4 interactions in the development of leukemia in an in-vivo murine model of ALL. CXCR4 antagonists induced mobilization of human and murine B cell progenitor ALL cells into the peripheral blood, with a 3.8±1.9 and 6.5±3.3 fold increase in leukemic cells/ml one hour after administration of the antagonist respectively, similar to that observed for normal progenitors. Daily administration of AMD3100 commencing the day following the injection of cells and continuing for 21 days resulted in a mean reduction in peripheral blood white cell count of 50±12% and the leukemic cell count of 63±4%. There was also a significant reduction in both the total cells in the spleen of 58±1% and the leukemic cell number in this organ of 75±11%. A significant reduction in leukemic cell numbers in the bone marrow was observed in one (44% reduction) case. There was reduced infiltration of other organs including kidney, liver and skeletal muscle. This study demonstrates that disrupting the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in B cell progenitor ALL reduces the tumor burden. Whether this is due to direct inhibitory effects on proliferation and survival, or results from disruption of the leukemic cell interactions within the bone marrow remains to be determined.

Disturbed CXCR4/CXCL12 Axis In Pediatric Precursor B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 2643-2643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lieke C.J. van den Berk ◽  
Arian van der Veer ◽  
Marieke E. Willemse ◽  
Myrte J.G.A. Theeuwes ◽  
Mirjam W. Luijendijk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Initial Diagnosis ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Cxcr4 Receptor ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract Malignant cells that infiltrate the bone marrow (BM) interfere with the normal cellular behavior of supporting cells, thereby creating an alternative malignant niche. This intercellular communication is mostly mediated by cytokines and their receptors. In this study, we find that expression of the CXCR4 receptor is significantly increased in pediatric precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) cells compared with normal mononuclear hematopoietic cells derived of the bone marrow (p=0.016). Furthermore, we show that high CXCR4 expression is correlated with an unfavorable clinical outcome in BCP-ALL (5-yr CIR ±SE: 38.4% ±6.9% in CXCR4-high versus 12.0% ±4.6% in CXCR4-low expressing patients, p<0.001). Interestingly, BM serum levels of the CXCR4 ligand (CXCL12) are 2.7-fold lower (p=0.005) in samples taken at initial diagnosis of BCP-ALL compared with the levels in samples taken of non-leukemic controls. We show that induction chemotherapy restores CXCL12 levels in the BM to normal levels. Blocking the CXCR4 receptor with Plerixafor (FDA-approved drug) showed that the lower CXCL12 serum levels at initial diagnosis could not be explained by consumption by the leukemic cells, nor did we observe an altered CXCL12-production capacity of BM-MSC at this time-point. We rather observed that a very high density of leukemic cells negatively affected CXCL12 production by the BM-MSC while stimulating the secretion levels of G-CSF. These results suggest that highly proliferative leukemic cells are able to down-regulate the production of cytokines involved in homing (CXCL12), while simultaneously up-regulating the production of cytokines involved in hematopoietic mobilization (G-CSF). This disbalance may stimulate the spreading of BCP-ALL outside the BM. The data presented here suggest that interference with the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis (for instance by using Plerixafor) may be an effective way to mobilize BCP-ALL cells; the more ALL cells become mobilized, the less ALL cells may escape from combination chemotherapy. In proof-of concept studies, this hypothesis needs to be validated to pave the way for implementation in future treatment protocols for children with ALL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Leukemia-on-a-chip: Dissecting the chemoresistance mechanisms in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia bone marrow niche

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (44) ◽  
pp. eaba5536
Author(s):  
Chao Ma ◽  
Matthew T. Witkowski ◽  
Jacob Harris ◽  
Igor Dolgalev ◽  
Sheetal Sreeram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Chemotherapy Resistance ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Bone Marrow Niche ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) blasts hijack the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment to form chemoprotective leukemic BM “niches,” facilitating chemoresistance and, ultimately, disease relapse. However, the ability to dissect these evolving, heterogeneous interactions among distinct B-ALL subtypes and their varying BM niches is limited with current in vivo methods. Here, we demonstrated an in vitro organotypic “leukemia-on-a-chip” model to emulate the in vivo B-ALL BM pathology and comparatively studied the spatial and genetic heterogeneity of the BM niche in regulating B-ALL chemotherapy resistance. We revealed the heterogeneous chemoresistance mechanisms across various B-ALL cell lines and patient-derived samples. We showed that the leukemic perivascular, endosteal, and hematopoietic niche-derived factors maintain B-ALL survival and quiescence (e.g., CXCL12 cytokine signal, VCAM-1/OPN adhesive signals, and enhanced downstream leukemia-intrinsic NF-κB pathway). Furthermore, we demonstrated the preclinical use of our model to test niche-cotargeting regimens, which may translate to patient-specific therapy screening and response prediction.

scholarly journals Leukemia-Induced Cellular Senescence and Stemness Alterations in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Reversible upon Withdrawal of B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8166
Author(s):  
Natalia-Del Pilar Vanegas ◽  
Paola Fernanda Ruiz-Aparicio ◽  
Gloria Inés Uribe ◽  
Adriana Linares-Ballesteros ◽  
Jean-Paul Vernot
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Leukemic cell growth in the bone marrow (BM) induces a very stressful condition. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), a key component of this BM niche, are affected in several ways with unfavorable consequences on hematopoietic stem cells favoring leukemic cells. These alterations in MSC during B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) have not been fully studied. In this work, we have compared the modifications that occur in an in vitro leukemic niche (LN) with those observed in MSC isolated from B-ALL patients. MSC in this LN niche showed features of a senescence process, i.e., altered morphology, increased senescence-associated β-Galactosidase (SA-βGAL) activity, and upregulation of p53 and p21 (without p16 expression), cell-cycle arrest, reduced clonogenicity, and some moderated changes in stemness properties. Importantly, almost all of these features were found in MSC isolated from B-ALL patients. These alterations rendered B-ALL cells susceptible to the chemotherapeutic agent dexamethasone. The senescent process seems to be transient since when leukemic cells are removed, normal MSC morphology is re-established, SA-βGAL expression is diminished, and MSC are capable of re-entering cell cycle. In addition, few cells showed low γH2AX phosphorylation that was reduced to basal levels upon cultivation. The reversibility of the senescent process in MSC must impinge important biological and clinical significance depending on cell interactions in the bone marrow at different stages of disease progression in B-ALL.

scholarly journals Imbalance of Chemokines and Cytokines in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment of Children with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Fábio Magalhães-Gama ◽  
Marlon Wendell Athaydes Kerr ◽  
Nilberto Dias de Araújo ◽  
Hiochelson Najibe Santos Ibiapina ◽  
Juliana Costa Ferreira Neves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Induction Therapy ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Bone Marrow Microenvironment ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Immune Imbalance

In the hematopoietic microenvironment, leukemic cells secrete factors that imbalanced chemokine and cytokine production. However, the network of soluble immunological molecules in the bone marrow microenvironment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains underexplored. Herein, we evaluated the levels of the immunological molecules (CXCL8, CCL2, CXCL9, CCL5, CXCL10, IL-6, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-17A, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-2) in the bone marrow plasma of 47 recently diagnosed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients during induction therapy using cytometric beads arrays. The results demonstrated that B-ALL patients showed high levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, IL-6, and IL-10 at the time of diagnosis, while at the end of induction therapy, a decrease in the levels of these immunological molecules and an increase in CCL5, IFN-γ, and IL-17A levels were observed. These findings indicate that B-ALL patients have an imbalance in chemokines and cytokines in the bone marrow microenvironment that contributes to suppressing the immune response. This immune imbalance may be associated with the presence of leukemic cells since, at the end of the induction therapy, with the elimination and reduction to residual cells, the proinflammatory profile is reestablished, characterized by an increase in the cytokines of the Th1 and Th17 profiles.

scholarly journals Toward Therapeutic Targeting of Bone Marrow Leukemic Niche Protective Signals in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjorie C. Delahaye ◽  
Kaoutar-Insaf Salem ◽  
Jeoffrey Pelletier ◽  
Michel Aurrand-Lions ◽  
Stéphane J. C. Mancini
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) represents the malignant counterpart of bone marrow (BM) differentiating B cells and occurs most frequently in children. While new combinations of chemotherapeutic agents have dramatically improved the prognosis for young patients, disease outcome remains poor after relapse or in adult patients. This is likely due to heterogeneity of B-ALL response to treatment which relies not only on intrinsic properties of leukemic cells, but also on extrinsic protective cues transmitted by the tumor cell microenvironment. Alternatively, leukemic cells have the capacity to shape their microenvironment towards their needs. Most knowledge on the role of protective niches has emerged from the identification of mesenchymal and endothelial cells controlling hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal or B cell differentiation. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about B-ALL protective niches and the development of therapies targeting the crosstalk between leukemic cells and their microenvironment.

scholarly journals Co-culture model of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia recapitulates a transcription signature of chemotherapy-refractory minimal residual disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Rellick ◽  
Gangqing Hu ◽  
Debra Piktel ◽  
Karen H. Martin ◽  
Werner J. Geldenhuys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Minimal Residual Disease ◽  
Residual Disease ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Adherent Cells ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Minimal Residual

AbstractB-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by accumulation of immature hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, a well-established sanctuary site for leukemic cell survival during treatment. While standard of care treatment results in remission in most patients, a small population of patients will relapse, due to the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) consisting of dormant, chemotherapy-resistant tumor cells. To interrogate this clinically relevant population of treatment refractory cells, we developed an in vitro cell model in which human ALL cells are grown in co-culture with human derived bone marrow stromal cells or osteoblasts. Within this co-culture, tumor cells are found in suspension, lightly attached to the top of the adherent cells, or buried under the adherent cells in a population that is phase dim (PD) by light microscopy. PD cells are dormant and chemotherapy-resistant, consistent with the population of cells that underlies MRD. In the current study, we characterized the transcriptional signature of PD cells by RNA-Seq, and these data were compared to a published expression data set derived from human MRD B-cell ALL patients. Our comparative analyses revealed that the PD cell population is markedly similar to the MRD expression patterns from the primary cells isolated from patients. We further identified genes and key signaling pathways that are common between the PD tumor cells from co-culture and patient derived MRD cells as potential therapeutic targets for future studies.

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