Clinicopathologic and molecular characterization of myeloid neoplasms with isolated t(6;9)(p23;q34)

INTRODUCTION

The t(6;9)(p23;q34);DEK-NUP214 [t(6;9)] abnormality is found in 0.7-1.8% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). FLT3-ITD mutations are detected in t(6;9) patients. The t(6;9) abnormality is associated with poor outcomes. We studied the clinicopathologic and molecular profiles of patients with AML/MDS carrying t(6;9).

METHODS

We collected clinical data of nine patients with AML/MDS with isolated t(6;9) (median age = 41 years; male/female = 4/5) and genotyped DNAs using whole exome, Sanger, and targeted sequencing.

RESULTS

Our cohort was characterized by frequent multilineage dysplasia (56%), absence of phospho-STAT3/STAT5 expression, presence of myeloid markers (CD13, CD33, CD34, CD117, HLA-DR) with an aberrant expression of CD7, and poor outcome (median survival of 20 months). Although basophilia has been described in association with t(6;9), we observed lack of marrow basophilia in our cohort. Molecularly, 83% (5/6) of patients with AML/MDS with t(6;9) were characterized by at least one somatic mutation. Among them, four patients showed multiple mutations. FLT3-ITD mutations were detected in 33% of patients (2/6); 80% (4/5) of mutant patients died even after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrated that AML/MDS patients with t(6;9) have diverse molecular mutations regardless of the presence of FLT3 mutations, which may contribute to their poor survival outcomes.

Identification of Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin proteins as novel regulators of pathogenic B-cell receptor signaling and tumor growth in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a hematological cancer associated with an aggressive clinical course. The predominant subtypes of DLBCL display features of chronic or tonic B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling. However, it is not known whether the spatial organization of the BCR contributes to the regulation of pro-survival signaling pathways and cell growth. Here, we show that primary DLBCL tumors and patient-derived DLBCL cell lines contain high levels of phosphorylated Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) proteins. The surface BCRs in both activated B cell and germinal B cell subtype DLBCL cells co-segregate with phosphoERM suggesting that the cytoskeletal network may support localized BCR signaling and contribute to pathogenesis. Indeed, ablation of membrane-cytoskeletal linkages by dominant-negative mutants, pharmacological inhibition and knockdown of ERM proteins disrupted cell surface BCR organization, inhibited proximal and distal BCR signaling, and reduced the growth of DLBCL cell lines. In vivo administration of the ezrin inhibitor retarded the growth of DLBCL tumor xenografts, concomitant with reduction in intratumor phosphoERM levels, dampened pro-survival signaling and induction of apoptosis. Our results reveal a novel ERM-based spatial mechanism that is coopted by DLBCL cells to sustain tumor cell growth and survival.

CpG methylation patterns and decitabine treatment response in acute myeloid leukemia cells and normal hematopoietic precursors

The DNA hypomethylating drug decitabine maintains normal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal but induces terminal differentiation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. The basis for these contrasting cell-fates, and for selective CpG hypomethylation by decitabine, is poorly understood. Promoter CpGs, with methylation measured by microarray, were classified by the direction of methylation change with normal myeloid maturation. In AML cells, the methylation pattern at maturation-responsive CpG suggested at least partial maturation. Consistent with partial maturation, in gene expression analyses, AML cells expressed high levels of the key lineage-specifying factor CEBPA, but relatively low levels of the key late-differentiation driver CEBPE. In methylation analysis by mass-spectrometry, CEBPE promoter CpG that are usually hypomethylated during granulocyte maturation were significantly hypermethylated in AML cells. Decitabine treatment induced cellular differentiation of AML cells, and the largest methylation decreases were at CpG that are hypomethylated with myeloid maturation, including CEBPE promoter CpG. In contrast, decitabine-treated normal HSC retained immature morphology, and methylation significantly decreased at CpG that are less methylated in immature cells. High expression of lineage-specifying factor and aberrant epigenetic repression of some key late-differentiation genes distinguishes AML cells from normal HSC and could explain the contrasting differentiation and methylation responses to decitabine.

Phosphoproteins and the dawn of functional phenotyping

Phosphorylation is one of the most important processes in cell signal transduction. Detection of phosphorylated proteins in cancer tissue is useful for prognosis and diagnosis, and it might be very helpful in monitoring treatment using targeted therapy. For these reasons, the in situ quantitative measurement and subcellular localization of phosphoproteins will likely be important. However, phosphoproteins are extremely labile, a likely explanation for inconsistent or contradictory reports. Thus, the development of new paradigms for tissue handling, immunostaining, and quality control are needed.

Administration of isothiocyanate (E-4IB) and cisplatin leads to altered signalling and lysosomal export in human ovarian carcinoma sensitive- and cisplatin-resistant cells

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a new synthetic isothiocyanate derivative, ethyl 4-isothiocyanatobutanoate (E-4IB) and cisplatin (CDDP) in CDDP-sensitive human ovarian carcinoma cell line (A2780) and its resistant subline (A2780/CP). In parental cells, in comparison to untreated cells, sequential administration of both compounds led to higher exosomal dye (LysoTracker Green DND-26) retention and to alterations of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), JNK, ERK and p38, or Akt kinase accompanied by changes in several anti- and pro-apoptotic molecules and lysosomal protein LAMP-1, as detected by Western blotting. On the contrary, variant A2780/CP cells were resistant to CDDP- or to combined sensitizer (E-4IB)/inducer (CDDP)-related apoptosis induction and exerted minor changes in the levels of these molecules.

Isothiocyanate E-4IB induces MAPK activation, delayed cell cycle transition and apoptosis

INTRODUCTION

Epidemiologic studies point towards a significant correlation between the dietary intake of isothiocyanate-containing foods and the reduced risk for cancer.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the current investigation, we examined the consequence of activating of signalling pathways during the release the cells from the block at G(1)/S boundary by synthetic isothiocyanate E-4IB. Using synchronized leukaemic HL60 cells, we show that activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 signalling pathways by E-4IB are coupled with delayed transition through the cell cycle and rapid cell cycle arrest resulted in diminished mitochondrial membrane potential culminating in apoptosis. These events were accompanied by histone deacetylase inhibition, increase of double strand DNA breaks detected by histone H2AX phosphorylation and up-regulation of cell cycle regulatory protein p21 and phosphorylation of CDC25C phosphatase.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases signalling pathways, followed by the induction cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, might be responsible for anticancer activities of E-4IB.

Expression of new prognostic markers, peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor and carbonic anhydrase IX, in human breast and ovarian carcinoma cell lines

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), a mitochondrial protein involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, and carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), an intrinsic marker of hypoxia, have been studied in the panel of human breast (MCF-7, BT- 20, MDA-MB-453, MDA-MB-231) and ovarian (A2780, A2780/CP, A2780/ADR, CH1, SKOV-3) carcinoma cell lines that differ by malignant progression. The expression of both antigens was detected by staining with the PBR-specific 8D7 and CA IX-specific M75 monoclonal antibodies and quantitated by flow cytometry. PBR was related to mitochondrial mass and CA IX to the cell density. Breast carcinoma cell lines showed higher relative fluorescence intensity of PBR expression than ovarian cell lines, with the exception of A2780/CP cisplatin-resistant subline that was comparable to highly invasive MDA-MB-231 breast line. Among the breast cell lines, PBR expression increased with their invasive potential. The ovarian cell lines showed greater variability in fluorescence intensities and the expression of PBR did not correlate with the amount of mitochondria. Mitochondrial PBR density disclosed significant difference between cisplatin-sensitive (low PBR density) and -resistant (high PBR density) ovarian cell lines. MTT test showed higher sensitivity of 2 breast cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (IC50 < 75 microM) to PBR ligand PK 11195 than all examined ovarian cell lines (IC50 > 90 microM, in chemo- and radio- resistant lines IC50 > 110 microM). Growth inhibitory effect of PK 11195 did not correlate with the amount of PBR and was mediated probably by another, PBRindependent mechanisms. The expression of CA IX was only marginal in majority of tested cell lines in subconfluent conditions and was inducible by high cell density. More than 5% of positive cells in sparse culture have been found in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-453 breast cell lines while more than 15% of A2780/ADR adriamycin-resistant ovarian cells were positive for CA IX expression under the same conditions. Our data indicate that PBR expression in breast and ovarian carcinoma cell lines is not proportional to the amount of mitochondria and should be expressed relatively to the cell mitochondrial mass. This assessment allows establishing high PBR density as a measure of aggressiveness (invasion in breast and resistance in ovarian cancer). Observation of relatively high CA IX expression in A2780/ADR cells evokes the assumption that multidrug resistance might be connected with selection advantage towards CA IX expressing cells.

Sensitisation for cisplatin-induced apoptosis by isothiocyanate E-4IB leads to signalling pathways alterations

A new synthetic isothiocyanate (ITC) derivative, ethyl 4-isothiocyanatobutanoate (E-4IB), appeared to be an effective modulator of cellular proliferation and potent inducer of apoptosis. In cooperation with cisplatin, this compound exerted synergistic effects in human ovarian carcinoma A2780 cells. In the present study we investigated in more detail E4IB-sensitisation for cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Sequential administration of both cytostatic agents led to increased intracellular platinum accumulation, glutathione level depletion and mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation. These events were accompanied with poly (ADP-ribosyl) polymerase cleavage, stimulation of caspase-3 activity, upregulation of p53, FasL and Gadd45alpha, cyclin B1 downregulation and an increase in mitogen-activated protein kinases JNK, ERK and p38 phosphorylation as well as PI3K level alterations. The presented results might have implications for developing new strategies aimed at therapeutic benefit of natural or synthetic ITCs in cooperation with various anticancer drugs.

Isothiocyanate iberin modulates phase II enzymes, posttranslational modification of histones and inhibits growth of Caco-2 cells by inducing apoptosis

The aim of presented study was to further investigate the concentration-dependent changes induced by isothiocyanate iberin (IBN) in human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells. The concentrations of IBN below IC(50) value (18 microM, 72 h) triggered the augmentation of mRNA levels for phase II detoxification GSTA1 and UGT1A1 enzymes and antioxidant thioredoxin reductase 1 gene in cells treated for 24 h. In addition a significant increase of acetylated H4 histone was detected. The mRNA induction peaked at IC(50) value and returned to level of control cells at 40 microM concentration of IBN. The cell cycle changes, gamma-H2AX stainability and the increase of phospho-H3 mitotic marker were induced at concentrations above IC(50) value. Appearance of Annexin V positive apoptotic cells and sub-G1 fragmented DNA as well as decrease of mitochondrial transmembrane potential confirmed cytotoxic effect of IBN observed in MTT assay. The predominance of necrotic cells and profound positivity of gamma-H2AX took place at the highest concentration of IBN. Thus, IBN represents the effective member of natural chemopreventive isothiocyanate family with which apoptotic potential can by employed to eliminate tumor cells.

Diverse resveratrol sensitization to apoptosis induced by anticancer drugs in sensitive and resistant leukemia cells

Naturally occurring dietary compound resveratrol (RES), possessing chemopreventive and cytostatic properties, has been shown as potent sensitizer for apoptosis induced by a variety of anticancer drugs. Cell cycle analysis in sensitive promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cell line and its multidrug-resistant variant HL60/VCR (P-gp positive) treated with RES resulted in cell cycle arrest in S-phase in both cell variants. Flow cytometry measurements showed diverse activities of RES in combination with anticancer drugs doxorubicin (DOX), cycloheximide (CHX), busulfan (BUS), gemcitabine (GEM) and paclitaxel (PTX), in some cases resulting in apoptosis induction, preferentially at the expense of S-phase. Thus, RES could become a candidate to enhance the efficacy of combination anticancer therapy in a variety of human cancer cells inclusive leukemias.

Enhanced sensitivity of human ovarian carcinoma cell lines A2780 and A2780/CP to the combination of cisplatin and synthetic isothiocyanate ethyl 4-isothiocyanatobutanoate

Naturally occurring and synthetic isothiocyanates (ITCs) are known as chemopreventive agents. The present study shows a new synthetic ITC derivate ethyl 4-isothiocyanatobutanoate (E-4IB) as an effective modulator of cellular proliferation and inducer of apoptosis with potential utility as an anticancer drug, as well as a sensitizer to routinely used chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin (cis-Pt). Evaluation of the growth inhibitory effects of E-4IB in the human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780 and its cisplatin-resistant variant A2780/CP using MTT-test and its apoptosis-inducing properties by flow cytometry was performed. Effect of E-4IB was assessed both alone and in paired combination with cisplatin. Combination index (CI) values from Calcusyn software were used to characterize the interactions as synergistic, additive, or antagonistic. Significant synergistic effect in growth inhibition of E-4IB (0.5-5 microM) with cis-Pt (2.5-10 microM) on A2780 parental cell line (CI from 0.39 to 0.75) was also observed on A2780/CP resistant subline, although to a lesser extent (CI from 0.43 to 0.86) for cis-Pt concentrations 5-25 microM and the same concentrations of E-4IB. Synergy in growth inhibition correlated with the potential of E-4IB to stimulate apoptosis induced by cis-Pt (from 9.5% to 24.7% at 24 hours) while E-4IB alone induced 3.6% of apoptotic cells in A2780 cell line. We conclude that E-4IB may be worth of further studies assessing its value in the ovarian carcinoma treatment, in combination with the other chemotherapeutic agents.

Flavonoid quercetin, but not apigenin or luteolin, induced apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia cells and their resistant variants

Flavonoids and their in vivo metabolites are neuroprotective, cardioprotective and chemopreventive agents acting as hydrogen-donating antioxidants or modulators functioning at protein kinase and lipid signaling pathways. In presented study treatments of human leukemia cells HL60 and their MDR-1 resistant subline HL60/VCR by flavonoids apigenin (API), luteolin (LUT), quercetin (QU) and anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) are reported. Of all flavonoids used only QU treatments led in both cell lines to DNA fragmentation, cleavage of poly (ADP- ribose) polymerase (PARP), up-regulation of proapoptotic Bax and posttranslational modification (phosphorylation) of antiapoptotic Bcl-2. Cytochrome c and p21WAF1/CIP1 levels remained unchanged in these cells. Furthermore, treatments of both cell lines by QU and in its combined application with DOX increased phosphorylation of ERK, while Akt-1 and phosphorylated Akt-1 levels were not changed. All these events resulted in effective induction of apoptosis associated with down-regulation of P-glycoprotein in resistant cells. Presented results suggest that in human leukemia cells QU is a potent regulator of the cell apoptotic program associated with the modulation of several signaling molecules.

Tumor targeted gene therapy with plasmid expressing human tumor necrosis factor alpha in vitro and in vivo

We have assessed the effect of exogenous human tumor necrosis factor alpha (hTNFalpha) in three human cancer cell lines; MDA-MB-361 (breast adenocarcinoma), HCT 116 (colon carcinoma) and 8-MG-BA (glioma). In vitro transfection of a plasmid containing hTNFalpha under the control of a hybrid promoter resulted in expression of hTNFalpha gene in all three cell lines and secretion into the culture medium was seen with MDA-MB-361 cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed a significant increase in apoptotic and necrotic cells in MDA-MB-361 and to a lesser extent in HCT 116 cells. Increased apoptosis was confirmed by an increase in pro-caspase 3 activation. No effects of hTNFalpha expression were seen in 8-MG-BA cells. Intratumoral delivery of the hTNFalpha expression plasmid into MDA-MB-361 tumor xenografts grown in nude mice caused hemorrhagic tumor necrosis. This strategy may be a simple and promising gene therapy approach to the treatment of some human tumors.