All-trans Retinoic Acid In Cells Research Articles

Regulation of FOXP3 expression in myeloid cells in response to all-trans-retinoic acid, interleukin 2 and transforming growth factor β

FoxP3 is a transcription factor essential for differentiation and function of T regulatory cells (Tregs). There are two major subsets of Tregs: natural Tregs (nTregs) generated in thymus and inducible Tregs (iTregs) produced in peripheral immune system. It has been documented that iTreg development is dependent on soluble mediators including interleukin 2 (IL2), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). In our experiments we performed a gene expression array, followed by Real-time PCR experiments to study expression of genes regulated by ATRA in cells of myeloid origin. Our experiments revealed that ATRA alone, but also a cocktail of mediators consisting of IL2, TGFβ and ATRA, upregulate expression of FOXP3 gene in normal and leukemic myeloid cells. Our results indicate that signaling pathways which are used at the late steps of T cell differentiation, are also active in the cells of myeloid lineage.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Two Novel All -trans-Retinoic Acid Conjugates: Biocompatible and Functional Tools for Retina Research.

The vitamin A derivative all- trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is an important biologically active metabolite that regulates a variety of essential biological processes in particular via gene-regulatory mechanisms. In the retina, ATRA is a light-dependent byproduct of the phototransduction cascade. Here, ATRA is not only needed for proper retinal development, but it also acts as a neuromodulator on horizontal cells, second-order inhibitory neurons in the outer retina, which reveal morphological and physiological changes when the retina is treated with ATRA. There is evidence that gene-regulatory mechanisms may only be partially involved in these neuromodulatory processes and the underlying nontranscriptional mechanisms are still elusive. This is, among other things, due to the lack of appropriately labeled ATRA, which would allow the tracking of ATRA in cells or a given tissue. To overcome this obstacle, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated two conjugates of ATRA, one conjugated with biotin (biotin-ATRA) and one conjugated with diaminoterephthalate fluorophore (DAT-ATRA), as molecular tools for different fields of application. The biocompatibility of both compounds was demonstrated via cell viability assays in cultured N2a-cells. N2a-cells exposed to the compounds showed no significant changes in the viability rate. The functionality of synthesized ATRA-conjugates was verified using retinal tissue derived from adult carp. The binding of ATRA-conjugates to distinct retinal cells was assessed in primary cultures of carp retina. Hereby, horizontal and Müller cells have been identified as specific target cells of the new ATRA compounds. Electron microscopy further confirmed that the new substances are still able to induce synaptic plasticity at horizontal cell dendrites resulting in formation of spine synapses, as it is shown for native ATRA. Taken together, the novel ATRA-conjugates represent biocompatible and functional molecular tools, which may further provide the possibility to track ATRA in neuronal cells and study its modulatory effects in different cell systems.

LOX/COX inhibitors enhance the antineoplastic effects of all-trans retinoic acid in osteosarcoma cell lines.

The induced differentiation of tumor cells into mature phenotypes is a promising strategy in cancer therapy. In this study, the effects of combined treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitors were examined in two osteosarcoma cell lines, Saos-2 and OSA-01. Caffeic acid and celecoxib were used as inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and of cyclooxygenase-2, respectively. Changes in the cell proliferation, matrix mineralization, and occurrence of differentiation markers were evaluated in treated cell populations at intervals. The results confirmed the capability of caffeic acid to enhance the antiproliferative effect of ATRA in both cell lines. In contrast, celecoxib showed the same effect in Saos-2 cells only. Furthermore, the extension of matrix mineralization was observed after combined treatment with ATRA and celecoxib or caffeic acid. The increased expression of osteogenic differentiation markers was observed in both cell lines after the combined application of ATRA and inhibitors. The obtained results clearly demonstrate the capability of lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitors to enhance the antiproliferative and differentiating effect of ATRA in osteosarcoma cells, although some of these effects are specific and depend on the biological features of the respective tumor or cell line.

MLL-AF9 Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Are Sensitive To All-Trans Retinoic Acid

BackgroundAmong the subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) responds dramatically to differentiation therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). But, ATRA is not sufficient to induce differentiation in non-APL AML. Herein, we first evaluated whether MLL fusion partners, such as MLL-AF9 and MLL-AF4/AF5q31, affect the sensitivity of ATRA in human and murine MLL fusion positive AML cell lines. In addition, we also assessed the level of H3K4me2 modification for the RARα gene in human AML cell lines, and whether the LSD1 inhibitor affected the ATRA-resistant MLLfusion positive AML cell lines. MethodsThree human AML cell lines with MLL fusion (THP1 and MOLM13 expressing MLL-AF9, and KOCL48 expressing MLL-AF4) and two murine leukemic cell lines derived from murine Lin- hematopoietic progenitors transduced by retroviral vector expressing MLL fusion genes, such as MLL-AF9 and MLL-AF5q31 were used in this study. To test the sensitivity of ATRA, all cell lines were treated with 1 μM ATRA for three days. Monocytic differentiation was assessed by morphological analysis, NBT reduction test and flow cytometric analysis (FCM) of CD11b expression. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis and western blotting was carried out to measure the RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1 expressions. Cytotoxicity assay was performed to determine the IC50 of ATRA in these cell lines and whether ATRA could decrease the IC50 of cytarabine in MLL-AF9positive cells by using WST assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was performed to determine the value of H3K4me2 status using RARα-specific primers. To determine whether tranylcypromine (TCP), which is a nonreversible LSD1 inhibitor, could reactivate ATRA sensitivity, we treated KOCL48 with 10 μM TCP and 1μM ATRA. ResultsWe first determined that morphological changes characteristic of monocytic differentiation, CD11b expression and NBT reduction are more readily induced by ATRA in human and murine MLL-AF9 positive cells than MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. The NBT reduction percentage was 12.5±3.77 in THP1, 13.1±2.02 in MOLM13, but 7.00±2.64 in KOCL48 cells (p<0.05). The ATRA treatment also induced growth inhibition and increased gene expression related to monocytic differentiation through retinoic acid (RA) pathway, more efficiency in MLL-AF9 positive cells than MLL-AF4/AF5q31 cells. The IC50 of ATRA for THP1, MOLM13 and murine MLL-AF9 cells was 3.85, 1.24 and 1.95 μM, but over 10 μM for KOCL48 and murine MLL-AF5q31 cells. Furthermore, qRT-PCR and western blot revealed that ATRA increased expression level of RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1 in MLL-AF9 positive cells, but not in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. Collectively, RA pathway is more impaired in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells than MLL-AF9 positive cells. In addition, the increase in RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1 mRNA expressions were observed in two primary MLL-AF9 positive AML cells treated with ATRA. Next, we also carried out ChIP assay and the H3K4me2/ H3 on the RARα promoter in MLL-AF9 positive cells were higher than MLL-AF4 positive cell. Furthermore, ATRA and TCP combination treatment in KOCL48 induced morphological changes, CD11b expression, and increased the expression level of RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1, suggesting that inhibition of LSD1 restores ATRA sensitivity. Finally, ATRA in combination with cytarabine treatment in MLL-AF9 positive cells enhanced cytarabine sensitivity: the IC50 of cytarabine in THP1, MOLM13, and murine MLL-AF9cells was 4.18, 0.04, and0.065 μM without ATRA and 0.13, 0.0005, and 0.015 μM with ATRA, respectively. ConclusionsOur data demonstrated that RA pathway was more profoundly impaired in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells than MLL-AF9 positive cells, suggesting type of MLL fusion protein contributes inactivation of RA pathway. Our data also identified the sensitivity of ATRA was correlated with the ratio of H3K4me2/ H3 on the RARα promoter, and TCP restore the sensitivity of ATRA in KOCL48, suggesting the decrease of the H3K4me2/H3 plays a role in inactivation of RA pathway. Additionally, we revealed that synergistic antileukemic activity of ATRA in combination with cytarabine in MLL-AF9 positive cells. Therefore, ATRA in combination with cytarabine might be novel therapeutic option for the ATRA sensitive AML cells, especially for MLL-AF9 positive cells. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

LSD1 Inhibitor Activates Retinoic Acid Pathway in MLL Fusion Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract 1345 Background:Among the subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) responds dramatically to differentiation therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). However, ATRA is not sufficient to induce differentiation in non-APL AML. Although the molecular basis for the poor response of non-APL AML to ATRA was poorly understood, Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), the histone demetylase, was found to inhibit the retinoic acid pathway by chromatin modification through H3K4 demethylation, resulting in silencing of gene expression targeted by retinoic acid. Herein, we first evaluated whether MLL fusion partners, such as MLL-AF9 and MLL-AF4/AF5q31, affect the sensitivity of ATRA in human and murine MLL fusion positive AML cells, which is one of the most aggressive pediatric AML. In addition, we also assess whether the LSD1 inhibitor affects the ATRA sensitivity in MLL fusion positive AML cells. Methods:Three human AML cell lines with MLL fusion (THP-1 and MOLM-13 expressing MLL-AF9, and KOCL48 expressing MLL-AF4) and two murine leukemic cell lines derived from murine Lin- hematopoietic progenitors transduced by retroviral vector expressing MLL fusion genes, such as MLL-AF9 and MLL-AF5q31 were used in this study. To test the sensitivity of ATRA, all cell lines were treated with 1 μM ATRA for three days. Cell growth was analyzed by counting nuclei using a Coulter counter. Monocytic differentiation was assessed by morphological analysis, NBT reduction test and flow cytometric analysis (FCM) of CD11b expression. FCM analysis was also carried out to evaluate cell cycle and annexin V assay. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis and western blotting was carried out to measure the RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1 expressions. To determine whether Tranylcypromine (TCP), which is a nonreversible LSD1 inhibitor, could decrease the IC50 of ATRA in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells, KOCL48 and murine MLL-AF5q31 expressing cells were treated with 0μM or 10μM TCP and titrating doses of ATRA (ranging from 0μM to 10μM). After three days, cell count was analyzed by counting nuclei using a Coulter counter to evaluate IC50 of ATRA in each cell lines. Results:We first determined that morphological changes characteristic of monocytic differentiation, CD11b expression and NBT reduction are more readily induced by ATRA in human and murine MLL-AF9 positive cells than human and murine MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells The NBT reduction percentage was 17.6±1.69 in THP-1, but 2.7±1.2 in KOCL48 cells (p<0.01). The ATRA treatment also induced growth inhibition accompanied with G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis more efficiency in MLL-AF9 positive cells than MLL-AF4/AF5q31 cells. The IC50 of ATRA for THP-1 cells was 0.21±0.04 μM, but 5.31±1.50 μM for KOCL48 cells (p<0.01) The percentage of cells arrested in G0/G1 phase and Annexin/PI positive cells were 84% and 17.8% in THP-1 but 40% and 4.8% in KOCL48, respectively. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis and western blot analysis revealed that ATRA increased expression level of RARα, C/EBPα, C/EBPε, and PU.1, which is involved in monocytic differentiation through retinoic acid pathway, in MLL-AF9 positive cells, but not in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. Collectively, retinoic acid pathway is more impaired in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells than MLL-AF9 positive cells. Next, we also determined that ATRA and TCP combination treatment suppressed cell growth and decreased the IC50 of ATRA in KOCL48 and murine MLL-AF5q31 expressing cells (IC50 of ATRA: 0.20±0.10 μM and 0.20±0.09 μM with TCP, vs 5.5±3.2 μM and over 10 μM without TCP, p<0.05), accompanied with morphological changes and CD11b expression, suggesting that inhibition of LSD1 restores ATRA sensitivity in both cell lines. Conclusions:Our data demonstrate that retinoic acid pathway was more profoundly impaired in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cell than MLL-AF9 positive cells, suggesting MLL-AF4/AF5q31 contributes inactivation of retinoic acid pathway. Our data also demonstrate TCP restore the sensitivity of ATRA in ATRA-resistant MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cell lines, suggesting LSD1 plays a major role in inactivation of retinoic acid pathway in MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. Therefore, LSD1 inhibitor might be important novel therapeutic option for differentiation therapy of MLL-fusion positive AML, especially for ATRA resistant MLL-AF4/AF5q31 positive cells. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

MicroRNA-150 Is Down-Regulated In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and MicroRNA-150 Expression Promotes Myeloid Differentiation.

AbstractAbstract 1213MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene and protein expression and aberrant regulation of transcription factors by miRNAs plays a role in the block in differentiation seen in acute leukemias. We identified differentially expressed miRNAs in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) using high throughput miRNA profiling of normal and CML samples. Validation by QPCR in 42 CD34 sorted and unsorted patient samples consistently demonstrated decreased or absent miR-150 expression in CML cells as compared to normal cells with expression lowest in myeloid blast crisis (BC) patient samples. In published reports differential miR-150 expression regulates lymphoid development, and increased expression also favors megakaryocytic differentiation over erythroid differentiation via direct regulation of MYB. To determine if decreased or absent miR-150 plays a functional role in CML, we examined 1) if miR-150 expression is Bcr-Abl dependent, 2) if miR-150 expression affects myeloid differentiation, and 3) how miR-150 mediates any detectable phenotype. First, we found that Bcr-Abl represses miR-150 expression in a doxycycline-inducible Bcr-Abl murine cell line; an effect that is reversible with imatinib mesylate treatment. Next, miR-150 was expressed using lentiviral vector transduction in leukemia cell lines and primary CML cells at levels approximating its expression in normal bone marrow. Appropriate controls included an empty vector control and miR-15a and miR-16 vector transduced cells. Decreased cell proliferation and increased myeloid differentiation were observed in 3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines with low levels of endogenous miR-150 (HL60, NB4 and PL-21). In HL60 and NB4 cells, miR-150 expressing cells demonstrated significantly increased CD11b expression and morphologic differentiation after exposure to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or 12–0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Furthermore, increased CD11b expression was observed in the absence of either drug in miR-150 expressing cells. These differences due to miR-150 were not observed in myeloid BC CML cell lines (K562, Kcl-22, or LAMA-84). In CD34 enriched primary cells from two myeloid BC CML patients, however, aberrant miR-150 expression promoted differentiation as demonstrated by increased CD11b or decreased CD34 expression and decreased CFU formation. Lastly, potential miR-150 targets were identified using existing prediction algorithms and microarray gene expression profiling (GEP) of miR150-transduced cell lines or primary BC CML patient cells. GEP data also suggested that miR-150 promotes myeloid differentiation with increased expression of genes associated with monocytic as well as granulocytic differentiation observed in miR-150 cells. MYB expression is increased in CML and it is a validated target of miR-150. Similar to one published study, MYB protein expression was no different in miR-150 over-expressing CML or AML cells. However, MYB protein was decreased in miR-150 over-expressing cells vs. control cells after ATRA exposure suggesting that MYB may target miR-150 in the presence of ATRA. No difference in phenotype or MYB protein was observed in the absence of ATRA in cells transduced with miR-15a and miR-16, which also target MYB. The expression of transcription factors EGR1, EGR2, HES1 and GATA2 was differentially increased in miR-150 expressing cells. ShRNA knockdown of GATA2 in miR-150 cells suggested that increased GATA2 does not contribute to miR-150 induction of CD11b. The transcription factor COUP-TFII (NR2F2), a predicted target of miR-150, interacts with GATA2 to block adipocyte differentiation. MiR-150 expression decreased luciferase activity of a NR2F2 3′UTR luciferase reporter and decreased NR2F2 protein in cell lines. In primary CD34+ CML cells, however, NR2F2 expression is low and likely does not mediate the phenotype seen in miR-150 expressing cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that miR-150 promotes myeloid differentiation, a previously uncharacterized role, and strongly suggest that absent or low miR-150 expression is not simply a lineage marker, but plays a functional role in leukemia cells possibly through loss of miR-150 regulation of MYB and additional currently unidentified targets. Disclosures:Radich:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria. Oehler:Pfizer: Research Funding.