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Catapano R, Sepe L, Toscano E, Paolella G, Chiurazzi F, Barbato SP, Bruzzese D, Arianna R, Grosso M, Romano S, Romano MF, Costanzo P, Cesaro E. Biological relevance of ZNF224 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its implication IN NF-kB pathway regulation. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1010984. [PMID: 36425656 PMCID: PMC9681601 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1010984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease, whose presentation and clinical course are highly variable. Identification of novel prognostic factors may contribute to improving the CLL classification and providing indications for treatment options. The zinc finger protein ZNF224 plays a key role in cell transformation, through the control of apoptotic and survival pathways. In this study, we evaluated the potential application of ZNF224 as a novel marker of CLL progression and therapy responsiveness. To this aim, we analyzed ZNF224 expression levels in B lymphocytes from CLL patients at different stages of the disease and in patients showing different treatment outcomes. The expression of ZNF224 was significantly increased in disease progression and dramatically decreased in patients in complete remission after chemotherapy. Gene expression correlation analysis performed on datasets of CLL patients revealed that ZNF224 expression was well correlated with that of some prognostic and predictive markers. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis coupled ZNF224 to NF-κB pathway, and experimental data demonstrated that RNA interference of ZNF224 reduced the activity of the NF-κB survival pathway in CLL cells. Consistently with a pro-survival role, ZNF224 knockdown raised spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CLL patients. Our findings provide evidence for the involvement of ZNF224 in the survival of CLL cells via NF-κB pathway modulation, and also suggest ZNF224 as a prognostic and predictive molecular marker of CLL disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Catapano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Leandra Sepe
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Ceinge Advanced Technologies, Naples, Italy
| | - Elvira Toscano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Ceinge Advanced Technologies, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Paolella
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Ceinge Advanced Technologies, Naples, Italy
| | - Federico Chiurazzi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Serafina Patrizia Barbato
- Division of Hematology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Bruzzese
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Arianna
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Grosso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Ceinge Advanced Technologies, Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Romano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Fiammetta Romano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Costanzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Cesaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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2
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Rare t(X;14)(q28;q32) translocation reveals link between MTCP1 and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6338. [PMID: 34732719 PMCID: PMC8566464 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26400-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare, recurrent balanced translocations occur in a variety of cancers but are often not functionally interrogated. Balanced translocations with the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (IGH; 14q32) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are infrequent but have led to the discovery of pathogenic genes including CCND1, BCL2, and BCL3. Following identification of a t(X;14)(q28;q32) translocation that placed the mature T cell proliferation 1 gene (MTCP1) adjacent to the immunoglobulin locus in a CLL patient, we hypothesized that this gene may have previously unrecognized importance. Indeed, here we report overexpression of human MTCP1 restricted to the B cell compartment in mice produces a clonal CD5+/CD19+ leukemia recapitulating the major characteristics of human CLL and demonstrates favorable response to therapeutic intervention with ibrutinib. We reinforce the importance of genetic interrogation of rare, recurrent balanced translocations to identify cancer driving genes via the story of MTCP1 as a contributor to CLL pathogenesis.
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3
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Ozer HG, El-Gamal D, Powell B, Hing ZA, Blachly JS, Harrington B, Mitchell S, Grieselhuber NR, Williams K, Lai TH, Alinari L, Baiocchi RA, Brinton L, Baskin E, Cannon M, Beaver L, Goettl VM, Lucas DM, Woyach JA, Sampath D, Lehman AM, Yu L, Zhang J, Ma Y, Zhang Y, Spevak W, Shi S, Severson P, Shellooe R, Carias H, Tsang G, Dong K, Ewing T, Marimuthu A, Tantoy C, Walters J, Sanftner L, Rezaei H, Nespi M, Matusow B, Habets G, Ibrahim P, Zhang C, Mathé EA, Bollag G, Byrd JC, Lapalombella R. BRD4 Profiling Identifies Critical Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Oncogenic Circuits and Reveals Sensitivity to PLX51107, a Novel Structurally Distinct BET Inhibitor. Cancer Discov 2018; 8:458-477. [PMID: 29386193 PMCID: PMC5882533 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-17-0902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family proteins are key regulators of gene expression in cancer. Herein, we utilize BRD4 profiling to identify critical pathways involved in pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). BRD4 is overexpressed in CLL and is enriched proximal to genes upregulated or de novo expressed in CLL with known functions in disease pathogenesis and progression. These genes, including key members of the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway, provide a rationale for this therapeutic approach to identify new targets in alternative types of cancer. Additionally, we describe PLX51107, a structurally distinct BET inhibitor with novel in vitro and in vivo pharmacologic properties that emulates or exceeds the efficacy of BCR signaling agents in preclinical models of CLL. Herein, the discovery of the involvement of BRD4 in the core CLL transcriptional program provides a compelling rationale for clinical investigation of PLX51107 as epigenetic therapy in CLL and application of BRD4 profiling in other cancers.Significance: To date, functional studies of BRD4 in CLL are lacking. Through integrated genomic, functional, and pharmacologic analyses, we uncover the existence of BRD4-regulated core CLL transcriptional programs and present preclinical proof-of-concept studies validating BET inhibition as an epigenetic approach to target BCR signaling in CLL. Cancer Discov; 8(4); 458-77. ©2018 AACR.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 371.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Cell Cycle Proteins
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Humans
- Isoxazoles/pharmacology
- Isoxazoles/therapeutic use
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/physiopathology
- Mice
- Mice, SCID
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Pyridines/pharmacology
- Pyridines/therapeutic use
- Pyrroles/pharmacology
- Pyrroles/therapeutic use
- Signal Transduction
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Gulcin Ozer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Dalia El-Gamal
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Zachary A Hing
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - James S Blachly
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Bonnie Harrington
- College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Shaneice Mitchell
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Nicole R Grieselhuber
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Katie Williams
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Tzung-Huei Lai
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Lapo Alinari
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Robert A Baiocchi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Lindsey Brinton
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Elizabeth Baskin
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Matthew Cannon
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Larry Beaver
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Virginia M Goettl
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - David M Lucas
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jennifer A Woyach
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Deepa Sampath
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Amy M Lehman
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Lianbo Yu
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Yan Ma
- Plexxikon Inc., Berkeley, California
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ken Dong
- Plexxikon Inc., Berkeley, California
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ewy A Mathé
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - John C Byrd
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
| | - Rosa Lapalombella
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
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4
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Bresin A, D'Abundo L, Narducci MG, Fiorenza MT, Croce CM, Negrini M, Russo G. TCL1 transgenic mouse model as a tool for the study of therapeutic targets and microenvironment in human B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2071. [PMID: 26821067 PMCID: PMC4816192 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell malignancy with a mature phenotype. In spite of its relatively indolent nature, no radical cure is as yet available. CLL is not associated with either a unique cytogenetic or a molecular defect, which might have been a potential therapeutic target. Instead, several factors are involved in disease development, such as environmental signals which interact with genetic abnormalities to promote survival, proliferation and an immune surveillance escape. Among these, PI3-Kinase signal pathway alterations are nowadays considered to be clearly important. The TCL1 gene, an AKT co-activator, is the cause of a mature T-cell leukemia, as well as being highly expressed in all B-CLL. A TCL1 transgenic mouse which reproduces leukemia with a distinct immunophenotype and similar to the course of the human B-CLL was developed several years ago and is widely used by many groups. This is a review of the CLL biology arising from work of many independent investigators who have used TCL1 transgenic mouse model focusing on pathogenetic, microenviroment and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bresin
- Laboratorio di Oncologia Molecolare, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - L D'Abundo
- Dipartimento di Morfologia, Chirurgia e Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M G Narducci
- Laboratorio di Oncologia Molecolare, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - M T Fiorenza
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Sezione di Neuroscienze, Università La Sapienza di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - C M Croce
- Human Cancer Genetics Program and Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, OSU School of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - M Negrini
- Dipartimento di Morfologia, Chirurgia e Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - G Russo
- Laboratorio di Oncologia Molecolare, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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5
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Chen SS, Chiorazzi N. Murine genetically engineered and human xenograft models of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Semin Hematol 2014; 51:188-205. [PMID: 25048783 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a genetically complex disease, with multiple factors having an impact on onset, progression, and response to therapy. Genetic differences/abnormalities have been found in hematopoietic stem cells from patients, as well as in B lymphocytes of individuals with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis who may develop the disease. Furthermore, after the onset of CLL, additional genetic alterations occur over time, often causing disease worsening and altering patient outcomes. Therefore, being able to genetically engineer mouse models that mimic CLL or at least certain aspects of the disease will help us understand disease mechanisms and improve treatments. This notwithstanding, because neither the genetic aberrations responsible for leukemogenesis and progression nor the promoting factors that support these are likely identical in character or influences for all patients, genetically engineered mouse models will only completely mimic CLL when all of these factors are precisely defined. In addition, multiple genetically engineered models may be required because of the heterogeneity in susceptibility genes among patients that can have an effect on genetic and environmental characteristics influencing disease development and outcome. For these reasons, we review the major murine genetically engineered and human xenograft models in use at the present time, aiming to report the advantages and disadvantages of each.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Shih Chen
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore-LIJ Health System, Manhasset, New York.
| | - Nicholas Chiorazzi
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore-LIJ Health System, Manhasset, New York; Departments of Medicine and Molecular Medicine, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York.
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6
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Gene expression and epigenetic deregulation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 792:133-50. [PMID: 24014295 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-8051-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The last decade resulted in many scientific discoveries illuminating epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation and genome organization. DNA methylation emerged as playing a pivotal role in development and cancer. Genome-wide changes in DNA methylation, including hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes and genome-wide loss of methylation, are two dominant mechanisms that deregulate gene expression and contribute to chromosomal instability. In this chapter we give an overview of how methylation patterns are established during B-cell development and what machinery is necessary to maintain those patterns. We summarize the current state of knowledge of aberrant changes taking place during and contributing to lymphoid transformation in general and to the development of CLL in particular. We discuss key deregulated biomarkers extensively studied using single-gene approaches and give an overview of a wealth of data that became available from genome-wide approaches, focusing on pathways that are critical for lymphomagenesis. We also highlight epigenetic differences between known prognostic groups of CLL.
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7
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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and regulatory B cells share IL-10 competence and immunosuppressive function. Leukemia 2012; 27:170-82. [PMID: 22713648 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2012.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be immunosuppressive in humans and mice, and CLL cells share multiple phenotypic markers with regulatory B cells that are competent to produce interleukin (IL)-10 (B10 cells). To identify functional links between CLL cells and regulatory B10 cells, the phenotypes and abilities of leukemia cells from 93 patients with overt CLL to express IL-10 were assessed. CD5(+) CLL cells purified from 90% of the patients were IL-10-competent and secreted IL-10 following appropriate ex vivo stimulation. Serum IL-10 levels were also significantly elevated in CLL patients. IL-10-competent cell frequencies were higher among CLLs with IgV(H) mutations, and correlated positively with TCL1 expression. In the TCL1-transgenic (TCL1-Tg) mouse model of CLL, IL-10-competent B cells with the cell surface phenotype of B10 cells expanded significantly with age, preceding the development of overt, CLL-like leukemia. Malignant CLL cells in TCL1-Tg mice also shared immunoregulatory functions with mouse and human B10 cells. Serum IL-10 levels varied in TCL1-Tg mice, but in vivo low-dose lipopolysaccharide treatment induced IL-10 expression in CLL cells and high levels of serum IL-10. Thus, malignant IL-10-competent CLL cells exhibit regulatory functions comparable to normal B10 cells that may contribute to the immunosuppression observed in patients and TCL1-Tg mice.
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8
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Kaderi MA, Kanduri M, Buhl AM, Sevov M, Cahill N, Gunnarsson R, Jansson M, Smedby KE, Hjalgrim H, Jurlander J, Juliusson G, Mansouri L, Rosenquist R. LPL is the strongest prognostic factor in a comparative analysis of RNA-based markers in early chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Haematologica 2011; 96:1153-60. [PMID: 21508119 PMCID: PMC3148909 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2010.039396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression levels of LPL, ZAP70, TCL1A, CLLU1 and MCL1 have recently been proposed as prognostic factors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, few studies have systematically compared these different RNA-based markers. DESIGN AND METHODS Using real-time quantitative PCR, we measured the mRNA expression levels of these genes in unsorted samples from 252 newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients and correlated our data with established prognostic markers (for example Binet stage, CD38, IGHV gene mutational status and genomic aberrations) and clinical outcome. RESULTS High expression levels of all RNA-based markers, except MCL1, predicted shorter overall survival and time to treatment, with LPL being the most significant. In multivariate analysis including the RNA-based markers, LPL expression was the only independent prognostic marker for overall survival and time to treatment. When studying LPL expression and the established markers, LPL expression retained its independent prognostic strength for overall survival. All of the RNA-based markers, albeit with varying ability, added prognostic information to established markers, with LPL expression giving the most significant results. Notably, high LPL expression predicted a worse outcome in good-prognosis subgroups, such as patients with mutated IGHV genes, Binet stage A, CD38 negativity or favorable cytogenetics. In particular, the combination of LPL expression and CD38 could further stratify Binet stage A patients. CONCLUSIONS LPL expression is the strongest RNA-based prognostic marker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia that could potentially be applied to predict outcome in the clinical setting, particularly in the large group of patients with favorable prognosis.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Female
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/diagnosis
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/mortality
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Lipoprotein Lipase/genetics
- Lipoprotein Lipase/metabolism
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multivariate Analysis
- Mutation/genetics
- Prognosis
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Survival Analysis
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Arifin Kaderi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, KAHS IIUM Kuantan Campus, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Meena Kanduri
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anne Mette Buhl
- Department of Hematology, Leukemia Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie Sevov
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nicola Cahill
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rebeqa Gunnarsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Stem Cell Center, Hematology and Transplantation, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mattias Jansson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Ekström Smedby
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Hjalgrim
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Jurlander
- Department of Hematology, Leukemia Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gunnar Juliusson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Stem Cell Center, Hematology and Transplantation, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Larry Mansouri
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Richard Rosenquist
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Mansouri MR, Sevov M, Aleskog A, Jondal M, Merup M, Sundström C, Osorio L, Rosenquist R. IGHV3-21 gene usage is associated with high TCL1 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Eur J Haematol 2009; 84:109-16. [PMID: 19889012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2009.01369.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
T-cell leukemia/lymphoma protein 1 (TCL1) was recently shown to display an expression pattern in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) corresponding to molecular subtypes, where poor-risk patients demonstrated higher expression levels. Here, we examined the mRNA expression pattern of TCL1 in 144 patients with CLL, including 67 immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable (IGHV) mutated, 58 IGHV unmutated and 19 patients with IGHV3-21 usage. A higher TCL1 expression level was detected in patients with CLL with unmutated vs. mutated IGHV genes (P < 0.001), whereas no difference was demonstrated within the IGHV3-21 cohort (i.e., mutated vs. unmutated and stereotyped vs. non-stereotyped complementarity determining region 3). The IGHV3-21 subgroup displayed high TCL1 mRNA expression, differing significantly from other IGHV mutated cases (P < 0.001), although 11/19 had mutated IGHV genes. Furthermore, high TCL1 expression levels were associated with significantly shorter overall survival (P < 0.001). Altogether, we show that TCL1 mRNA expression may predict clinical outcome in CLL and that the IGHV3-21 subset, regardless of mutational status, displays high TCL1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud R Mansouri
- Dept of Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
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10
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MicroRNA expression profiling in acute myeloid and chronic lymphocytic leukaemias. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2009; 22:239-48. [PMID: 19698931 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2009.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Altered expression of microRNAs, a new class of noncoding RNAs that regulate messenger RNA and protein expression of target genes, has been recently demonstrated to have an essential role in the process of leukaemogenesis. Distinctive patterns of activation and/or silencing of multiple microRNAs (microRNA signatures) associated with certain cytogenetic and molecular subsets of leukaemia have been identified using genome-wide high-throughput profiling assays. This has led not only to the discovery of new molecular pathways implicated in leukaemogenesis, but also supplied prognostic information complementing that gained from cytogenetics, gene mutations and altered gene expression in acute and chronic leukaemias. We review herein results of current studies analysing changes of microRNA expression in acute myeloid leukaemia and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and discuss their potential biologic, diagnostic and prognostic relevance.
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11
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High TCL1 levels are a marker of B-cell receptor pathway responsiveness and adverse outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 2009; 114:4675-86. [PMID: 19770358 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-03-208256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although activation of the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), its clinical impact and the molecular correlates of such response are not clearly defined. T-cell leukemia 1 (TCL1), the AKT modulator and proto-oncogene, is differentially expressed in CLL and linked to its pathogenesis based on CD5(+) B-cell expansions arising in TCL1-transgenic mice. We studied here the association of TCL1 levels and its intracellular dynamics with the in vitro responses to BCR stimulation in 70 CLL cases. The growth kinetics after BCR engagement correlated strongly with the degree and timing of induced AKT phospho-activation. This signaling intensity was best predicted by TCL1 levels and the kinetics of TCL1-AKT corecruitment to BCR membrane activation complexes, which further included the kinases LYN, SYK, ZAP70, and PKC. High TCL1 levels were also strongly associated with aggressive disease features, such as advanced clinical stage, higher white blood cell counts, and shorter lymphocyte doubling time. Higher TCL1 levels independently predicted an inferior clinical outcome (ie, shorter progression-free survival, P < .001), regardless of therapy regimen, especially for ZAP70(+) tumors. We propose TCL1 as a marker of the BCR-responsive CLL subset identifying poor prognostic cases where targeting BCR-associated kinases may be therapeutically useful.
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12
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Epigenetic changes during disease progression in a murine model of human chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 106:13433-8. [PMID: 19666576 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0906455106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations, including gain or loss of DNA methylation, are a hallmark of nearly every malignancy. Changes in DNA methylation can impact expression of cancer-related genes including apoptosis regulators and tumor suppressors. Because such epigenetic changes are reversible, they are being aggressively investigated as potential therapeutic targets. Here we use the Emu-TCL1 transgenic mouse model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to determine the timing and patterns of aberrant DNA methylation, and to investigate the mechanisms that lead to aberrant DNA methylation. We show that CLL cells from Emu-TCL1 mice at various stages recapitulate epigenetic alterations seen in human CLL. Aberrant methylation of promoter sequences is observed as early as 3 months of age in these animals, well before disease onset. Abnormally methylated promoter regions include binding sites for the transcription factor FOXD3. We show that loss of Foxd3 expression due to an NF-kappaB p50/p50:HDAC1 repressor complex occurs in TCL1-positive B cells before methylation. Therefore, specific transcriptional repression is an early event leading to epigenetic silencing of target genes in murine and human CLL. These results provide strong rationale for the development of strategies to target NF-kappaB components in CLL and potentially other B-cell malignancies.
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Awan FT, Kay NE, Davis ME, Wu W, Geyer SM, Leung N, Jelinek DF, Tschumper RC, Secreto CR, Lin TS, Grever MR, Shanafelt TD, Zent CS, Call TG, Heerema NA, Lozanski G, Byrd JC, Lucas DM. Mcl-1 expression predicts progression-free survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients treated with pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab. Blood 2009; 113:535-7. [PMID: 19008456 PMCID: PMC2628361 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-08-173450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2008] [Accepted: 11/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) is an antiapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family. Increased Mcl-1 expression is associated with failure to achieve remission after treatment with fludarabine and chlorambucil in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, the influence of Mcl-1 expression has not been examined in CLL trials using chemoimmunotherapy. We investigated Mcl-1 protein expression prospectively as part of a phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy of pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab in patients with untreated CLL. No significant difference by Mcl-1 expression was noted in pretreatment or response parameters. However, in patients with higher Mcl-1 expression, both minimal residual disease-negative status and progression-free survival was found to be significantly reduced (57% vs 19%, P = .01; 50.8 vs 18.7 months; P = .02; respectively). Mcl-1 expression may therefore be useful in predicting poor response to chemoimmunotherapy. These findings further support pursuing treatment strategies targeting this important antiapoptotic protein. (Because the trials described were conducted before the requirement to register them was implemented, they are not registered in a clinical trial database.).
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis
- Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage
- Disease-Free Survival
- Humans
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/mortality
- Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
- Pentostatin/administration & dosage
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism
- Rituximab
- Treatment Outcome
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