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Maiques-Diaz A, Martin-Subero JI. Biological, prognostic, and therapeutic impact of the epigenome in CLL. Semin Hematol 2023:S0037-1963(23)00092-6. [PMID: 38151379 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by widespread alterations in the genetic and epigenetic landscapes which seem to underlie the variable clinical manifestations observed in patients. Over the last decade, epigenomic studies have described the whole-genome maps of DNA methylation and chromatin features of CLL and normal B cells, identifying distinct epigenetic mechanisms operating in tumoral cells. DNA methylation analyses have identified that the CLL methylome contains imprints of the cell of origin, as well as of the proliferative history of the tumor cells, with both being strong independent prognostic predictors. Moreover, single-cell analysis revealed a higher degree of DNA methylation noise in CLL cells, which associates with transcriptional plasticity and disease aggressiveness. Integrative analysis of chromatin has uncovered chromatin signatures, as well as regulatory regions specifically active in each CLL subtype or in Richter transformed samples. Unique transcription factor (TF) binding motifs are overrepresented on those regions, suggesting that altered TF networks operate from disease initiation to progression as nongenetic factors mediating the oncogenic transcriptional profiles. Multiomics analysis has identified that response to treatment is modulated by an epigenetic imprint, and that treatments affect chromatin through the activity of particular set of TFs. Additionally, the epigenome is an axis of therapeutic vulnerability in CLL, as it can be targeted by inhibitors of histone modifying enzymes, that have shown promising preclinical results. Altogether, this review aims at summarizing the major findings derived from published literature to distill how altered epigenomic mechanisms contribute to CLL origin, evolution, clinical behavior, and response to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Maiques-Diaz
- Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Ignacio Martin-Subero
- Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain; Departamento de Fundamentos Clínicos, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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Sadeghi L, Wright APH. GSK-J4 Inhibition of KDM6B Histone Demethylase Blocks Adhesion of Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cells to Stromal Cells by Modulating NF-κB Signaling. Cells 2023; 12:2010. [PMID: 37566089 PMCID: PMC10416905 DOI: 10.3390/cells12152010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple signaling pathways facilitate the survival and drug resistance of malignant B-cells by regulating their migration and adhesion to microenvironmental niches. NF-κB pathways are commonly dysregulated in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), but the exact underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, using a co-culture model system, we show that the adhesion of MCL cells to stromal cells is associated with elevated levels of KDM6B histone demethylase mRNA in adherent cells. The inhibition of KDM6B activity, using either a selective inhibitor (GSK-J4) or siRNA-mediated knockdown, reduces MCL adhesion to stromal cells. We showed that KDM6B is required both for the removal of repressive chromatin marks (H3K27me3) at the promoter region of NF-κB encoding genes and for inducing the expression of NF-κB genes in adherent MCL cells. GSK-J4 reduced protein levels of the RELA NF-κB subunit and impaired its nuclear localization. We further demonstrated that some adhesion-induced target genes require both induced NF-κB and KDM6B activity for their induction (e.g., IL-10 cytokine gene), while others require induction of NF-κB but not KDM6B (e.g., CCR7 chemokine gene). In conclusion, KDM6B induces the NF-κB pathway at different levels in MCL, thereby facilitating MCL cell adhesion, survival, and drug resistance. KDM6B represents a novel potential therapeutic target for MCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Sadeghi
- Division of Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
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Yang Y, Zhang M, Wang Y. The roles of histone modifications in tumorigenesis and associated inhibitors in cancer therapy. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jncc.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Gerousi M, Laidou S, Gemenetzi K, Stamatopoulos K, Chatzidimitriou A. Distinctive Signaling Profiles With Distinct Biological and Clinical Implications in Aggressive CLL Subsets With Stereotyped B-Cell Receptor Immunoglobulin. Front Oncol 2021; 11:771454. [PMID: 34804974 PMCID: PMC8595110 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.771454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ontogeny and evolution of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are critically dependent on interactions between leukemic cells and their microenvironment, including antigens, the latter recognized through the clonotypic B-cell receptor immunoglobulin (BcR IG). Antigen selection is key to the pathogenesis of CLL, as evidenced by the remarkable skewing of the BcR IG gene repertoire, culminating in BcR IG stereotypy, referring to the existence of subsets of patients with (quasi)identical BcR IG. Notably, certain of these subsets have been found to display distinct, subset-biased biological background, clinical presentation, and outcome, including the response to treatment. This points to BcR IG centrality while also emphasizing the need to dissect the signaling pathways triggered by the distinctive BcR IG expressed by different subsets, particularly those with aggressive clinical behavior. In this mini-review, we discuss the current knowledge on the implicated signaling pathways as well as the recurrent gene mutations in these pathways that characterize major aggressive stereotyped subsets. Special emphasis is given on the intertwining of BcR IG and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and the molecular characterization of signaling activation, which has revealed novel players implicated in shaping clinical aggressiveness in CLL, e.g., the histone methyltransferase EZH2 and the transcription factor p63.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Gerousi
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stamatia Laidou
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katerina Gemenetzi
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kostas Stamatopoulos
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anastasia Chatzidimitriou
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Sadeghi L, Wright AP. Migration and Adhesion of B-Lymphocytes to Specific Microenvironments in Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Interplay between Signaling Pathways and the Epigenetic Landscape. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126247. [PMID: 34200679 PMCID: PMC8228059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphocyte migration to and sequestration in specific microenvironments plays a crucial role in their differentiation and survival. Lymphocyte trafficking and homing are tightly regulated by signaling pathways and is mediated by cytokines, chemokines, cytokine/chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules. The production of cytokines and chemokines is largely controlled by transcription factors in the context of a specific epigenetic landscape. These regulatory factors are strongly interconnected, and they influence the gene expression pattern in lymphocytes, promoting processes such as cell survival. The epigenetic status of the genome plays a key role in regulating gene expression during many key biological processes, and it is becoming more evident that dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms contributes to cancer initiation, progression and drug resistance. Here, we review the signaling pathways that regulate lymphoma cell migration and adhesion with a focus on Mantle cell lymphoma and highlight the fundamental role of epigenetic mechanisms in integrating signals at the level of gene expression throughout the genome.
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Böttcher M, Bruns H, Völkl S, Lu J, Chartomatsidou E, Papakonstantinou N, Mentz K, Büttner-Herold M, Zenz T, Herling M, Huber W, Ghia P, Stamatopoulos K, Mackensen A, Mougiakakos D. Control of PD-L1 expression in CLL-cells by stromal triggering of the Notch-c-Myc-EZH2 oncogenic signaling axis. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e001889. [PMID: 33931470 PMCID: PMC8098943 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults. Emerging data suggest that CLL-cells efficiently evade immunosurveillance. T-cell deficiencies in CLL include immuno(metabolic) exhaustion that is achieved by inhibitory molecules, with programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling emerging as a major underlying mechanism. Moreover, CLL-cells are characterized by a close and recurrent interaction with their stromal niches in the bone marrow and lymph nodes. Here, they receive nurturing signals within a well-protected environment. We could previously show that the interaction of CLL-cells with stroma leads to c-Myc activation that is followed by metabolic adaptations. Recent data indicate that c-Myc also controls expression of the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1. Therefore, we sought out to determine the role of stromal contact for the CLL-cells' PD-L1 expression and thus their immuno-evasive phenotype.To do so, we analyzed PD-L1 expression on CLL cell (subsets) in untreated patients and on healthy donor-derived B-cells. Impact of stromal contact on PD-L1 expression on CLL-cells and the underlying signaling pathways were assessed in well-established in vitro niche models. Ex vivo and in vitro findings were validated in the Eµ-TCL1 transgenic CLL mouse model.We found increased PD-L1 expression on CLL-cells as compared with B-cells that was further enhanced in a cell-to-cell contact-dependent manner by stromal cells. In fact, circulating recent stromal-niche emigrants displayed higher PD-L1 levels than long-time circulating CLL-cells. Using our in vitro niche model, we show that a novel Notch-c-Myc-enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) signaling axis controls PD-L1 upregulation. Ultimately, elevated PD-L1 levels conferred increased resistance towards activated autologous T-cells.In summary, our findings support the notion that the CLL microenvironment contributes to immune escape variants. In addition, several targetable molecules (eg, Notch or EZH2) could be exploited in view of improving immune responses in patients with CLL, which warrants further in-depth investigation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- B7-H1 Antigen/genetics
- B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
- Case-Control Studies
- Cell Line
- Coculture Techniques
- Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Paracrine Communication
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/metabolism
- Receptors, Notch/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Stromal Cells/immunology
- Stromal Cells/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Tumor Escape
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Böttcher
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 for Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Heiko Bruns
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 for Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Simon Völkl
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 for Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Junyan Lu
- Genome Biology Unit, EMBL, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Elisavet Chartomatsidou
- Division of Experimental Oncology and Department of Onco-Hematology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Nikos Papakonstantinou
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas, Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
| | - Kristin Mentz
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 for Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Maike Büttner-Herold
- Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Thorsten Zenz
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Herling
- Department I of Internal Medicine, CMMC, CECAD, CIO-ABCD, University of Cologne, Köln, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Huber
- Genome Biology Unit, EMBL, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Paolo Ghia
- Division of Experimental Oncology and Department of Onco-Hematology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Kostas Stamatopoulos
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas, Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 for Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Mougiakakos
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 for Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
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Yun X, Zhang Y, Wang X. Recent progress of prognostic biomarkers and risk scoring systems in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Biomark Res 2020; 8:40. [PMID: 32939265 PMCID: PMC7487566 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-020-00222-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent adult leukemia with high heterogeneity in the western world. Thus, investigators identified a number of prognostic biomarkers and scoring systems to guide treatment decisions and validated them in the context of immunochemotherapy. A better understanding of prognostic biomarkers, including serum markers, flow cytometry outcomes, IGHV mutation status, microRNAs, chromosome aberrations and gene mutations, have contributed to prognosis in CLL. Del17p/ TP53 mutation, NOTCH1 mutation, CD49d, IGHV mutation status, complex karyotypes and microRNAs were reported to be of predictive values to guide clinical decisions. Based on the biomarkers above, classic prognostic models, such as the Rai and Binet staging systems, MDACC nomogram, GCLLSG model and CLL-IPI, were developed to improve risk stratification and tailor treatment intensity. Considering the presence of novel agents, many investigators validated the conventional prognostic biomarkers in the setting of novel agents and only TP53 mutation status/del 17p and CD49d expression were reported to be of prognostic value. Whether other prognostic indicators and models can be used in the context of novel agents, further studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Yun
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China.,Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China.,School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China.,National clinical research center for hematologic diseases, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China
| | - Ya Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China.,Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China.,School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China.,National clinical research center for hematologic diseases, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China.,Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, No.324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China.,School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Lymphoma, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China.,National clinical research center for hematologic diseases, Jinan, 250021 Shandong China
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Xanthopoulos C, Kostareli E. Advances in Epigenetics and Epigenomics in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. CURRENT GENETIC MEDICINE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40142-019-00178-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
The development and progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a highly heterogenous B cell malignancy, are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors, including pharmacological interventions, can affect the epigenetic landscape of CLL and thereby determine the CLL phenotype, clonal evolution, and clinical outcome. In this review, we critically present the latest advances in the field of CLL epigenomics/epigenetics in order to provide a systematic overview of to-date achievements and highlight the potential of epigenomics approaches in light of novel treatment therapies.
Recent Findings
Recent technological advances have enabled broad and precise mapping of the CLL epigenome. The identification of CLL-specific DNA methylation patterns has allowed for accurate CLL subtype definition, a better understanding of clonal origin and evolution, and the discovery of reliable biomarkers. More recently, studies have started to unravel the prognostic, predictive, and therapeutic potential of mapping chromatin dynamics and histone modifications in CLL. Finally, analysis of non-coding RNA expression has indicated their contribution to disease pathogenesis and helped to define prognostic subsets in CLL.
Summary
Overall, the potential of CLL epigenomics for predicting treatment response and resistance is mounting, especially with the advent of novel targeted CLL therapies.
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