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Bassani B, Simonetti G, Cancila V, Fiorino A, Ciciarello M, Piva A, Khorasani AM, Chiodoni C, Lecis D, Gulino A, Fonzi E, Botti L, Portararo P, Costanza M, Brambilla M, Colombo G, Schwaller J, Tzankov A, Ponzoni M, Ciceri F, Bolli N, Curti A, Tripodo C, Colombo MP, Sangaletti S. ZEB1 shapes AML immunological niches, suppressing CD8 T cell activity while fostering Th17 cell expansion. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113794. [PMID: 38363677 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression is influenced by immune suppression induced by leukemia cells. ZEB1, a critical transcription factor in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, demonstrates immune regulatory functions in AML. Silencing ZEB1 in leukemic cells reduces engraftment and extramedullary disease in immune-competent mice, activating CD8 T lymphocytes and limiting Th17 cell expansion. ZEB1 in AML cells directly promotes Th17 cell development that, in turn, creates a self-sustaining loop and a pro-invasive phenotype, favoring transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), interleukin-23 (IL-23), and SOCS2 gene transcription. In bone marrow biopsies from AML patients, immunohistochemistry shows a direct correlation between ZEB1 and Th17. Also, the analysis of ZEB1 expression in larger datasets identifies two distinct AML groups, ZEB1high and ZEB1low, each with specific immunological and molecular traits. ZEB1high patients exhibit increased IL-17, SOCS2, and TGF-β pathways and a negative association with overall survival. This unveils ZEB1's dual role in AML, entwining pro-tumoral and immune regulatory capacities in AML blasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bassani
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Simonetti
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", Meldola, Italy
| | - Valeria Cancila
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Fiorino
- Predictive Medicine: Molecular Bases of Genetic Risk Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Marilena Ciciarello
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza," Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annamaria Piva
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Arman Mandegar Khorasani
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Chiodoni
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Lecis
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Eugenio Fonzi
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori," Meldola, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Laura Botti
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Portararo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Costanza
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Brambilla
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Colombo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Juerg Schwaller
- University Children's Hospital Basel & Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandar Tzankov
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maurilio Ponzoni
- IRCCS Ospedale S. Raffaele, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- IRCCS Ospedale S. Raffaele, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Niccolò Bolli
- Hematology Division, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Curti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine - DIMES, Institute of Hematology "Seràgnoli," Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; IFOM-ETS-The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario P Colombo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sabina Sangaletti
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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Varisli L, Vlahopoulos S. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Acute Leukemias. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2173. [PMID: 38396852 PMCID: PMC10889420 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a metabolic process that confers phenotypic flexibility to cells and the ability to adapt to new functions. This transition is critical during embryogenesis and is required for the differentiation of many tissues and organs. EMT can also be induced in advanced-stage cancers, leading to further malignant behavior and chemotherapy resistance, resulting in an unfavorable prognosis for patients. Although EMT was long considered and studied only in solid tumors, it has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies, including acute leukemias. Indeed, there is increasing evidence that EMT promotes the progression of acute leukemias, leading to the emergence of a more aggressive phenotype of the disease, and also causes chemotherapy resistance. The current literature suggests that the levels and activities of EMT inducers and markers can be used to predict prognosis, and that targeting EMT in addition to conventional therapies may increase treatment success in acute leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokman Varisli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science Faculty, Dicle University, Diyarbakir 21280, Turkey
| | - Spiros Vlahopoulos
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Levadeias 8, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Radhakrishnan K, Truong L, Carmichael CL. An "unexpected" role for EMT transcription factors in hematological development and malignancy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1207360. [PMID: 37600794 PMCID: PMC10435889 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1207360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental developmental process essential for normal embryonic development. It is also important during various pathogenic processes including fibrosis, wound healing and epithelial cancer cell metastasis and invasion. EMT is regulated by a variety of cell signalling pathways, cell-cell interactions and microenvironmental cues, however the key drivers of EMT are transcription factors of the ZEB, TWIST and SNAIL families. Recently, novel and unexpected roles for these EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs) during normal blood cell development have emerged, which appear to be largely independent of classical EMT processes. Furthermore, EMT-TFs have also begun to be implicated in the development and pathogenesis of malignant hematological diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, and now present themselves or the pathways they regulate as possible new therapeutic targets within these malignancies. In this review, we discuss the ZEB, TWIST and SNAIL families of EMT-TFs, focusing on what is known about their normal roles during hematopoiesis as well as the emerging and "unexpected" contribution they play during development and progression of blood cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthika Radhakrishnan
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Lynda Truong
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Catherine L. Carmichael
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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Darwish NHE, Glinsky GV, Sudha T, Mousa SA. Targeting Thyrointegrin αvβ3 Using Fluorobenzyl Polyethylene Glycol Conjugated Tetraiodothyroacetic Acid (NP751) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 11:793810. [PMID: 35155195 PMCID: PMC8828484 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.793810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with poor long-term survival, even with newer therapeutic agents. Here, we show the results of our preclinical study, in which we evaluated the efficacy of a new thyrointegrin αvβ3 antagonist, named fluorobenzyl polyethylene glycol conjugated tetraiodothyroacetic acid (fb-PMT). Methods and Results fb-PMT (NP751) is a potent αvβ3 antagonist of molecular weight of 2,478.9 Da. it represents a conjugate of tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) and monodisperse polyethylene glycol (PEG36), with a 4-fluorobenzyl group capping the other end of the PEG. fb-PMT effectively suppresses the malignant growth of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after successful engraftment in transgenic NSG-S xenograft mouse models of either established human AML cell line or primary AML cells. Daily treatment with fb-PMT (1–10 mg/kg body weight) subcutaneously (s.c.) for 3–4 weeks was associated with marked regression of leukemogenesis and extended survival in both models. The efficiency of the fb-PMT therapy was verified using in vivo imaging system (IVIS) imaging, flow cytometry, and histopathological examination to monitor the engraftment of leukemic cells in the bone marrow and other organs. fb-PMT therapy for 3–4 weeks at 3 and 10 mg/kg daily doses exhibited significant reduction (p < 0.0001) of leukemic cell burden of 74% and >95%, respectively. All fb-PMT-treated mice in the 10 mg/kg treatment arm successfully maintained remission after discontinuing the daily treatment. Comprehensive fb-PMT safety assessments demonstrated excellent safety and tolerability at multiple folds above the anticipated human therapeutic doses. Lastly, our genome-wide microarray screens demonstrated that fb-PMT works through the molecular interference mechanism with multiple signaling pathways contributing to growth and survival of leukemic cells. Conclusion Our preclinical findings of the potent anticancer activities of fb-PMT and its favorable safety profiles warrant its clinical investigation for the effective and safe management of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noureldien H E Darwish
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Rensselaer, NY, United States.,Hematology Unit, Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Gennadi V Glinsky
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Thangirala Sudha
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Shaker A Mousa
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Rensselaer, NY, United States
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Li L, Feng Y, Hu S, Du Y, Xu X, Zhang M, Peng X, Chen F. ZEB1 serves as an oncogene in acute myeloid leukaemia via regulating the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway by combining with P53. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:5295-5304. [PMID: 33960640 PMCID: PMC8178252 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia is a complex, highly aggressive hematopoietic disorder. Currently, in spite of great advances in radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the prognosis for AML patients with initial treatment failure is still poor. Therefore, the need for novel and efficient therapies to improve AML treatment outcome has become desperately urgent. In this study, we identified the expression of ZEB1 (a transcription factor) and focused on its possible role and mechanisms in the progression of AML. According to the data provided by the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), high expression of ZEB1 closely correlates with poor prognosis in AML patients. Additionally, the overexpression of ZEB1 was observed in both AML patients and cell lines. Further functional experiments showed that ZEB1 depletion can induce AML differentiation and inhibit AML proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, ZEB1 expression was negatively correlated with tumour suppressor P53 expression and ZEB1 can directly bind to P53. Our results also revealed that ZEB1 can regulate PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. The inhibitory effect of ZEB1 silencing on PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway could be significantly reversed by P53 small interfering RNA treatment. Overall, the present data indicated that ZEB1 may be a promising therapeutic target for AML treatment or a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
| | - Yubin Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
| | - Shuang Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
| | - Yan Du
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoling Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
| | - Meiju Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoqing Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
| | - Feihu Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China
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The EMT modulator SNAI1 contributes to AML pathogenesis via its interaction with LSD1. Blood 2021; 136:957-973. [PMID: 32369597 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019002548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulators of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) have recently emerged as novel players in the field of leukemia biology. The mechanisms by which EMT modulators contribute to leukemia pathogenesis, however, remain to be elucidated. Here we show that overexpression of SNAI1, a key modulator of EMT, is a pathologically relevant event in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that contributes to impaired differentiation, enhanced self-renewal, and proliferation of immature myeloid cells. We demonstrate that ectopic expression of Snai1 in hematopoietic cells predisposes mice to AML development. This effect is mediated by interaction with the histone demethylase KDM1A/LSD1. Our data shed new light on the role of SNAI1 in leukemia development and identify a novel mechanism of LSD1 corruption in cancer. This is particularly pertinent given the current interest surrounding the use of LSD1 inhibitors in the treatment of multiple different malignancies, including AML.
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SNAIL trail in myeloid malignancies. Blood 2020; 136:920-921. [DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020006613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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