Hemopoietic Cell Lines Research Articles

By reducing global mRNA translation in several ways, 2-deoxyglucose lowers MCL-1 protein and sensitizes hemopoietic tumor cells to BH3 mimetic ABT737

Drugs targeting various pro-survival BCL-2 family members (‘‘BH3 mimetics’’) have efficacy in hemopoietic malignancies, but the non-targeted pro-survival family members can promote resistance. Pertinently, the sensitivity of some tumor cell lines to BH3 mimetic ABT737, which targets BCL-2, BCL-XL, and BCL-W but not MCL-1, is enhanced by 2-deoxyglucose (2DG). We found that 2DG augmented apoptosis induced by ABT737 in 3 of 8 human hemopoietic tumor cell lines, most strongly in pre-B acute lymphocytic leukemia cell line NALM-6, the focus of our mechanistic studies. Although 2DG can lower MCL-1 translation, how it does so is incompletely understood, in part because 2DG inhibits both glycolysis and protein glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Its glycolysis inhibition lowered ATP and, through the AMPK/mTORC1 pathway, markedly reduced global protein synthesis, as did an ER integrated stress response. A dual reporter assay revealed that 2DG impeded not only cap-dependent translation but also elongation or cap-independent translation. MCL-1 protein fell markedly, whereas 12 other BCL-2 family members were unaffected. We ascribe the MCL-1 drop to the global fall in translation, exacerbated for mRNAs with a structured 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) containing potential regulatory motifs like those in MCL-1 mRNA and the short half-life of MCL-1 protein. Pertinently, 2DG downregulated two other short-lived oncoproteins, MYC and MDM2. Thus, our results support MCL-1 as a critical 2DG target, but also reveal multiple effects on global translation that may well also affect its promotion of apoptosis.

Molecular and cellular basis for the unique functioning of Nrf1, an indispensable transcription factor for maintaining cell homoeostasis and organ integrity.

The consensuscis-regulatory AP-1 (activator protein-1)-like AREs (antioxidant-response elements) and/or EpREs (electrophile-response elements) allow for differential recruitment of Nrf1 [NF-E2 (nuclear factor-erythroid 2)-related factor 1], Nrf2 and Nrf3, together with each of their heterodimeric partners (e.g. sMaf, c-Jun, JunD or c-Fos), to regulate different sets of cognate genes. Among them, NF-E2 p45 and Nrf3 are subject to tissue-specific expression in haemopoietic and placental cell lineages respectively. By contrast, Nrf1 and Nrf2 are two important transcription factors expressed ubiquitously in various vertebrate tissues and hence may elicit putative combinational or competitive functions. Nevertheless, they have de facto distinct biological activities because knockout of their genes in mice leads to distinguishable phenotypes. Of note, Nrf2 is dispensable during development and growth, albeit it is accepted as a master regulator of antioxidant, detoxification and cytoprotective genes against cellular stress. Relative to the water-soluble Nrf2, less attention has hitherto been drawn to the membrane-bound Nrf1, even though it has been shown to be indispensable for embryonic development and organ integrity. The biological discrepancy between Nrf1 and Nrf2 is determined by differences in both their primary structures and topovectorial subcellular locations, in which they are subjected to distinct post-translational processing so as to mediate differential expression of ARE-driven cytoprotective genes. In the present review, we focus on the molecular and cellular basis for Nrf1 and its isoforms, which together exert its essential functions for maintaining cellular homoeostasis, normal organ development and growth during life processes. Conversely, dysfunction of Nrf1 results in spontaneous development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatoma, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases in animal models.

Use of a novel floxed mouse to characterise the cellular source of plasma coagulation FXIII-A

BackgroundCoagulation factor XIII-A has a crucial role in thrombus stabilisation and tissue repair. Factor XIII-A deficiency causes a severe bleeding phenotype and impaired wound healing, but the cellular origin of Factor XIII-A is unknown. To identify the cells that maintain the plasma pool, we generated a mouse floxed in coding exon7 of the factor XIII-A gene (F13A1). These mice were crossed with mice transgenic for Pf4-Cre-recombinase (thrombopoietic deletion) or Cd11b-Cre-recombinase (myeloid deletion). The resultant mice were compared with a Mpl–/– (thrombopoietin receptor knockout) thrombocytopenic murine model. MethodsFactor XIII-A recombination was evaluated by quantitative PCR assay of genomic DNA from liver and spleen. Factor XIII-A enzyme activity was measured in plasma and platelets with a biotin incorporation assay. quantitative PCR was performed to determine factor XIII-A mRNA levels in aortic and cardiac tissue. Factor XIII-A transcripts were assayed in human umbilical blood haemopoietic cell lineages. FindingsSelectivity of Pf4-Cre and Cd11b-Cre mediated deletion was confirmed in liver and spleen. A 40% decrease in factor XIII-A plasma activity was observed in Cd11b mice, whereas plasma activity was decreased by 85% and absent in platelets from Pf4 mice. By contrast, plasma factor XIII-A was normal in Mpl mice. Cd11b mice showed no reduction in factor XIII-A mRNA in cardiac tissue and a 54·6% reduction in aorta. A major decrease in factor XIII-A mRNA was observed in the aorta (91·6%) and heart (99·2%) of Pf4 mice, but there was no change in expression in either tissue from Mpl mice. In a human stem-cell study, factor XIII-A mRNA transcription increased as common myeloid progenitors committed to become granulocyte-macrophage progenitors and as megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors differentiated to both megakaryocytes and erythroblasts. InterpretationThese results raise the possibility that a unique Pf4-dependent, Mpl-independent progenitor cell is the major source of the plasma pool. These findings might have implications for the management of factor XIII-A deficiency states. FundingBritish Heart Foundation.

Effects of conditioned medium from human amniotic mesenchymal tissue cell cultures on prostate cancer cells

It has been recently demonstrated that human amniotic mesenchymal tissue cells (hAMTC) derived from term placenta inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and significantly reduce the growth of haemopoietic and non haemopoietic cancer cell lines (HeLa and Saos cells) in vitro (1). The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of hAMTC-conditioned medium (CM) on two human prostate cancer cells lines: LNCaP, androgen responsive and well differentiated, and PC-3, androgen unresponsive and less differentiated. Cells were grown in their standard culture conditions in the absence or in the presence of various concentrations (0.001–50%) of hAMTC-CM or their own exhausted medium. Cell numbers were determined by using a haemocytometer, after three days. Moreover, E- and N-cadherin expression was evaluated in PC-3 cells cultured in medium with 0.01, 1 or 25% hAMTC-CM by Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis. Our findings indicate that hAMTC-CM reduces the growth of both PC-3 and LNCaP cells. The effect is more pronounced in PC-3 cells in which inhibition is about 25% vs control (p<0.001) at a very low concentration (0.001%) and reaches the maximum (about 55% vs control, p<0.001) with the highest concentration used (50%). In LNCaP cells only the highest concentration of hAMTC-CM (50%) inhibits cell proliferation (about 40% vs control, p<0.001). Interestingly, growth of LNCaP cells is reduced by their own exhausted medium, while proliferation of PC-3 cells is not affected by their spent medium. Both E- and N-cadherin expression have been detected at the membrane level in untreated PC-3 cells and the localization does not change in hAMTC-CM-treated cells. Preliminary data obtained by Western blot analysis seem to indicate an increase in both E- and N-cadherin levels. Our findings show that hAMTC-CM reduces prostate cancer cell proliferation in relationship to their androgen sensitivity and modifies the expression levels of adhesion molecules. Experiments are in progress to determine the mechanisms which underlie the observed effects and assess if hAMTC-CM can determine any variation in the differentiation status of prostate cancer cells.

Identification of nuclear-enriched miRNAs during mouse granulopoiesis.

BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are coordinators of cellular differentiation, including granulopoiesis. Although differential expression of many miRNAs is associated with the maturation of granulocytes, analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs and their cellular localization across all stages of granulopoiesis, starting from hemopoietic stems cells, is not well characterized.MethodsWe analyzed whole cell miRNA and mRNA expression during granulopoiesis using Taqman low-density and Affymetrix arrays respectively. We also performed nuclear and cytoplasmic fractionation followed by Taqman low-density array and/or quantitative PCR to identify nuclear-enriched miRNAs in hemopoietic stem/progenitor cells, promyelocytes, myelocytes, granulocytes and several hemopoietic cell lines. Anti-correlation between the expression of miRNA and target pairs was used to determine putative miRNA targets.ResultsAnalyses of our array data revealed distinct clusters of differentially expressed miRNAs that are specific to promyelocytes and granulocytes. While the roles of many of these miRNAs in granulopoiesis are not currently known, anti-correlation of the expression of miRNA/mRNA target pairs identified a suite of novel target genes. Clusters of miRNAs (including members of the let-7 and miR-17-92 families) are downregulated in hemopoietic stem/progenitor cells, potentially allowing the expression of target genes known to facilitate stem cell proliferation and homeostasis. Additionally, four miRNAs (miR-709, miR-706, miR-690 and miR-467a*) were found to be enriched in the nucleus of myeloid cells and multiple hemopoietic cell lines compared to other miRNAs, which are predominantly cytoplasmic-enriched. Both miR-709 and miR-706 are nuclear-enriched throughout granulopoiesis and have putative binding sites of extensive complementarity downstream of pri-miRNAs. Nuclear enrichment of miR-467a* is specific to hemopoietic stem/progenitors and promyelocytes. These miRNAs are also nuclear-enriched in other hemopoietic cell lines, where nuclear sequestering may fine-tune the expression of cytoplasmic mRNA targets.ConclusionsOverall, we have demonstrated differentially expressed miRNAs that have not previously been associated with hemopoietic differentiation and provided further evidence of regulated nuclear-enrichment of miRNAs. Further studies into miRNA function in granulocyte development may shed light on fundamental aspects of regulatory RNA biology and the role of nuclear miRNAs.

Both leukaemic and normal peripheral B lymphoid cells are highly sensitive to the selective pharmacological inhibition of prosurvival Bcl-2 with ABT-199

Overexpression of the prosurvival protein Bcl-2 marks many B-lymphoid malignancies and contributes to resistance to many commonly used chemotherapeutic agents. The first effective BH3 mimetic inhibitors of Bcl-2, ABT-737 and navitoclax, also target Bcl-xL, causing dose-limiting thrombocytopenia. This prompted the development of the Bcl-2-selective antagonist, ABT-199. Here we show that in lymphoid cells, ABT-199 specifically causes Bax/Bak-mediated apoptosis that is triggered principally by the initiator BH3-only protein Bim. As expected, malignant cells isolated from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia are highly sensitive to ABT-199. However, we found that normal, untransformed mature B cells are also highly sensitive to ABT-199, both in vitro and in vivo. By contrast, the B-cell precursors are largely spared, as are cells of myeloid origin. These results pinpoint the probable impact of the pharmacological inhibition of Bcl-2 by ABT-199 on the normal mature haemopoietic cell lineages in patients, and have implications for monitoring during ABT-199 therapy as well as for the clinical utility of this very promising targeted agent.

Hydrogen membrane transport activity coupled with changing deuterium/hydrogen ratio may be a key proliferation signal for the cells

Hydrogen membrane transport activity coupled with changing deuterium/hydrogen ratio may be a key proliferation signal for the cells

MicroRNA expression profiles in avian haemopoietic cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, abundant, non-coding RNAs that modulate gene expression by interfering with translation or stability of mRNA transcripts in a sequence-specific manner. A total of 734 precursor and 996 mature miRNAs have so far been identified in the chicken genome. A number of these miRNAs are expressed in a cell type-specific manner, and understanding their function requires detailed examination of their expression in different cell types. We carried out deep sequencing of small RNA populations isolated from stimulated or transformed avian haemopoietic cell lines to determine the changes in the expression profiles of these important regulatory molecules during these biological events. There were significant changes in the expression of a number of miRNAs, including miR-155, in chicken B cells stimulated with CD40 ligand. Similarly, avian leukosis virus (ALV)-transformed DT40 cells also showed changes in miRNA expression in relation to the naïve cells. Embryonic stem cell line BP25 demonstrated a distinct cluster of upregulated miRNAs, many of which were shown previously to be involved in embryonic stem cell development. Finally, chicken macrophage cell line HD11 showed changes in miRNA profiles, some of which are thought to be related to the transformation by v-myc transduced by the virus. This work represents the first publication of a catalog of microRNA expression in a range of important avian cells and provides insights into the potential roles of miRNAs in the hematopoietic lineages of cells in a model non-mammalian species.

Different Ca2+-sensitivities between the EF-hands of T- and L-plastins

Plastins are Ca(2+)-regulated actin-bundling proteins, and essential for developing and stabilizing actin cytoskeletons. T-plastin is expressed in epithelial and mesenchymal cells of solid tissues, whereas L-plastin is expressed in mobile cells such as hemopoietic cell lineages and cancer cells. Using various spectroscopic methods, gel-filtration chromatography, and isothermal titration calorimetry, we here demonstrate that the EF-hand motifs of both T- and L-plastin change their structures in response to Ca(2+), but the sensitivity to Ca(2+) is lower in T-plastin than in L-plastin. These results suggest that T-plastin is suitable for maintaining static cytoskeletons, whereas L-plastin is suitable for dynamic rearrangement of cytoskeletons.

Mechanisms of Co-Operation of DNMT3A Mutations with JAK2 V617F Through Histone H4 Arginine 3 Provides New Insights in MPN Disease Pathogenesis

Abstract 2823Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), including Polycythemia vera (PV), Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) and Primary myelofibrosis (PMF), are clonal stem cell disorders characterised by an excess of mature cells of one or more myeloid lineages in the chronic phase, and an associated risk of progression to myelofibrosis and leukemic transformation. Highly specific somatic mutations of JAK2 and MPL are found in the majority of MPN patients, while numerous other somatic mutations have now been identified to be common between MPN and de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including somatic mutations of TET2, ASXL1, CBL, IKZF1, EZH2, IDH1, IDH2 (reviewed in Tefferi, 2010 (Tefferi)), and most recently the DNA methyltransferase, DNMT3A (Abdel-Wahab, et al, Ley, et al, Stegelmann, et al, Walter, et al, Yan et al). We identified somatic heterozygous mutations in DNMT3A affecting amino acids R882 (R882C) and M880 (M880V), detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from two JAKV617F-positive PV patients (Rao et al, 2011, accepted for publication).At the level of chromatin and gene regulation, cooperation of DNMT3A mutations with JAK2V617F can occur through direct interaction of DNMT3A with the chromatin modifying protein PRMT5 which is a direct phosphorylation target of JAK2V617F (Liu F et al, 2011). PRMT5 is an arginine methyltransferase which associates with chromatin and methylates the key arginine (R) residue at the N-terminus of histone H4 (R3), which in turn recruits a DNMT3A complex resulting in methylation of adjacent CpG residues and gene-silencing (Zhao Q et al., 2009). To test the functional affects of DNMT3A mutations M880V and R882C, we have performed site- directed mutagenesis to generate GFP-tagged DNMT3A wild-type and mutant retroviral constructs. These DNMT3A clones will be transduced into cord blood CD34+ve cells and GFP-positive cells selected with flow cytometry. For functional analysis, we will examine DNA methyltransferase activity, changes in histone H4 modifications and CpG methylation.In a complementary analysis we have identified a change in a JAK2V617F+ve PV patient in the highly conserved HIST1H4C gene resulting in a substitution of Arg3 for Cys in Histone H4. Although there are 15 histone H4 genes encoding identical proteins, gene expression varies significantly in tissues and in cancer cells (W.F Holmes et. al, J.Biol Chem, 2005). We have used Q-PCR, using long primers to differentiate H4 transcripts and measured relative expression levels. We have confirmed that HIST1H4C is the major contributor of the H4 pool making ≥50% of the total H4 RNA in normal CD34+ve cells, Monocytes, lymphocytes and a variety of haemopoietic cell lines, indicating that the change to this critical residue in this gene may be functionally important. An analysis of a matched buccal sample showed that the HIST1H4C R3C variant in the PV patient was germline. Subsequent sequencing of the entire open reading frame of HIST1H4C in 232 normal individuals did not identify any other amino acid substitutions affecting this gene. Given the interaction of this residue with DNMT3A, we are currently investigating functional effects associated with this histone H4 variant. We have generated HEK293 cells with 4-Hydroxy tamoxifen (4-HT) inducible expression of the H4 R3C variant, and following the addition of 4-HT, we are initially assessing changes in histone H4 post-translational modifications, and markers of DNA damage such as gamma H2AX serine 139 phosphorylation. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Micronodular T-cell/histocyte-rich B-cell lymphoma of the spleen: case report and review of the literature

A 37-year-old male presented with fever and massive hepatosple-nomegaly but no generalised lymphadenopathy. The full blood count prior to surgery revealed a pancytopenia. The bone marrow showed non-specific changes and normal haemopoietic cell lines, indicative of peripheral sequestration. A diagnostic and therapeutic splenectomy was performed. The macroscopic appearance of the spleen showed areas of congestion and infarction and enlarged hilar lymph nodes. Histological examination showed nodular aggregates of histiocytes and small T-cells, admixed with occasional large atypical B-cells. Similar micronodules were present within hilar lymph nodes. Immunohistochemistry showed the atypical cells were positive for CD20, C79a and negative for CD15, CD30 and EMA. CD23 was also negative within the nodules. The diagnosis of micronodular variant of T-cell/histo-cyte-rich B-cell lymphoma (TCRBCL) of the spleen was made. This entity was first defined in 2003 by Dogan, 1 who examined a case series of 17 cases. Only rare cases of splenic TCRBCL have been reported in the literature to date. This case report reviews the typical clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria and prognosis of this rare entity.

UNC93B1 Mediates Host Resistance to Infection with Toxoplasma gondii

UNC93B1 associates with Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 3, TLR7 and TLR9, mediating their translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum to the endolysosome, hence allowing proper activation by nucleic acid ligands. We found that the triple deficient ‘3d’ mice, which lack functional UNC93B1, are hyper-susceptible to infection with Toxoplasma gondii. We established that while mounting a normal systemic pro-inflammatory response, i.e. producing abundant MCP-1, IL-6, TNFα and IFNγ, the 3d mice were unable to control parasite replication. Nevertheless, infection of reciprocal bone marrow chimeras between wild-type and 3d mice with T. gondii demonstrated a primary role of hemopoietic cell lineages in the enhanced susceptibility of UNC93B1 mutant mice. The protective role mediated by UNC93B1 to T. gondii infection was associated with impaired IL-12 responses and delayed IFNγ by spleen cells. Notably, in macrophages infected with T. gondii, UNC93B1 accumulates on the parasitophorous vacuole. Furthermore, upon in vitro infection the rate of tachyzoite replication was enhanced in non-activated macrophages carrying mutant UNC93B1 as compared to wild type gene. Strikingly, the role of UNC93B1 on intracellular parasite growth appears to be independent of TLR function. Altogether, our results reveal a critical role for UNC93B1 on induction of IL-12/IFNγ production as well as autonomous control of Toxoplasma replication by macrophages.

Meta-analysis of lineage-specific gene expression signatures in mouse leukocyte populations

In order to address fundamental questions associated with the relationships between mononuclear phagocytes and other myeloid and lymphoid cell populations, we have taken advantage of the growing body of expression data available in the public domain. We collated a large number of published expression studies on mouse haemopoietic cell lineages comprising 304 cell samples from 29 independent experiments performed on a single microarray platform (Affymetrix MOE430-2). The data were subjected to network-based cluster analysis using Biolayout Express 3D. Genes with related function clustered together in distinct regions of the graph reaffirming many known associations between gene expression and role in specific pathways and defining most major cell types of the immune system. Promoters of genes within individual clusters were distinguished by over-representation of regulatory motifs recognised by specific transcription factors. However, these data indicate that commonly used myeloid subpopulation markers, such as CD11c ( Itgax), do not correlate with expression of other genes, and further bring into question their use in defining myeloid cell lineage, activation (M1 vs. M2) and antigen-presenting cell function. In particular, there were few mRNA markers that clearly distinguished classical dendritic cells (DC) from macrophages, other than low expression of genes required for phagocytic activity. Bone marrow-derived DC, grown in GM-CSF, were clearly identified as phagocytes and distinguished from isolated lymphoid tissue DC. Thus, through pooling datasets from public data and examining the gene expression clusters within, we can learn a great deal about the transcriptional networks that underpin the differences in functional activities between cell populations of the immune system.

THOC5 spliceosome protein: a target for leukaemogenic tyrosine kinases that affects inositol lipid turnover

The fusion protein TEL/PDGFRB is associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and has intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. The effects of TEL/PDGFRB were assessed using the multipotent haemopoietic cell line FDCP-Mix. In the absence of growth factors, TEL/PDGFRB expression increased survival that was associated with elevated levels of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 trisphosphate (PIP3). Whilst TEL/PDGFRB had subtle effects on the growth factor requirements it had a profound effect on differentiation. The cells became refractory to cytokine-stimulated development, showing limited maturation but failing to produce fully mature cells. We have previously identified the spliceosome protein THOC5 as a target in macrophage colony-stimulating factor signalling and a protein involved in the regulation of transcription factor expression. TEL/PDGFRB expression increased the expression and phosphorylation of THOC5. Elevated expression of THOC5 increased PIP3 levels and decreased apoptosis. Mass spectrometry was used to identify a site for TEL/PDGFRB-mediated phosphorylation on THOC5, which was shown to be a target for a number of other leukaemogenic tyrosine kinases. Thus, THOC5 is a novel target for modulation of signal transduction with a potential role in leukaemogenesis.

Cytokine-mediated FOXO3a phosphorylation suppresses FasL expression in hemopoietic cell lines: Investigations of the role of Fas in apoptosis due to cytokine starvation

We have investigated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent survival signalling pathways using several cytokines in three different hemopoietic cell lines, MC/9, FDC-P1, and TF-1. Cytokines caused PI3K- and PKB-dependent phosphorylation of FOXO3a (previously known as FKHRL1) at three distinct sites. Following cytokine withdrawal or PI3K inhibition, both of which are known to lead to apoptosis, there was a loss of FOXO3a phosphorylation, and a resulting increase in forkhead transcriptional activity, along with increased expression of Fas Ligand (FasL), which could be detected at the cell surface. Concurrently, an increase in cell surface expression of Fas was also detected. Despite the presence of both FasL and Fas, there was no detectable evidence that activation of Fas-mediated apoptotic events was contributing to apoptosis resulting from cytokine starvation or inhibition of PI3K activity. Thus, inhibition of FOXO3a activity is mediated by the PI3K–PKB pathway, but regulation of FasL is not the primary means by which cell survival is regulated in cytokine-dependent hemopoietic cells. We were also able to confirm increased expression of known FOXO3a targets, Bim and p27kip1. Together, these results support the conclusion that mitochondrial-mediated signals play the major role in apoptosis of hemopoietic cells due to loss of cytokine signalling.

Different target range and cytotoxic specificity of adaphostin and 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin in imatinib-resistant and sensitive cell lines

Imatinib mesylate is a selective inhibitor of the oncogenic tyrosine kinase, Bcr-Abl, and is widely used as a first-line treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Prolonged monotherapy is frequently associated with patients becoming refractory to imatinib. Therefore, there is considerable interest in small molecule inhibitors which may be used either as replacements or as adjuncts to existing imatinib therapy. For this purpose, it is most likely that drugs which do not share imatinib's mechanism of action will be most valuable. We compared two such compounds with different modes of action, adaphostin and 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), for their cytotoxic effect and ability to induce the downregulation of cellular proteins in a murine haemopoietic cell line transformed with human p210(Bcr-Abl), and two subclones resistant to imatinib owing to an Abl-kinase domain mutation (E255K) or amplification of the BCR-ABL gene, respectively. We found that, whereas 17-AAG selectively killed Bcr-Abl-positive cells and inhibited proteins dependent on heat-shock protein 90 for their stability (p210(Bcr-Abl) and Akt), adaphostin induced the downregulation of multiple cell-signalling proteins (p210(Bcr-Abl), Akt, Bcr, Abl and STAT5a) and was cytotoxic to both Bcr-Abl-positive and -negative cells. We suggest that both compounds may prove useful in the treatment of CML but caution that undesirable side-effects may result from the inhibition of multiple cell signalling proteins.

Mutated nucleophosmin detects clonal multilineage involvement in acute myeloid leukemia: impact on WHO classification

AbstractBecause of a lack of specific clonality markers, information on lineage involvement and cell of origin of acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype (AML-NK), is missing. Because Nucleophosmin (NPM) gene is frequently mutated in AML-NK and causes aberrant NPM cytoplasmic localization (NPMc+), it was used as an AML lineage clonality marker. Clonal NPM exon 12 mutations were detected in myeloid, monocytic, erythroid, and megakaryocytic cells but not in fibroblasts or endothelia that were laser-microdissected from 3 patients with NPMc+ AML. Aberrant cytoplasmic expression of mutated NPM proteins was identified with anti-NPM antibodies in 2 or more myeloid hemopoietic cell lineages in 99 (61.5%) of 161 of NPMc+ AML paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsies; lymphoid involvement was excluded in 3 investigated cases. These findings suggest that NPMc+ AML derives from either a common myeloid or earlier progenitor. Immunohistochemical studies show that varying combinations and ratios of NPMc+ leukemic cells from distinct lineages are responsible for heterogeneity within each French-American-British (FAB) classification type and for NPMc+ AML falling into different FAB categories. These findings question the value of FAB criteria in subdividing the WHO category of “AML not otherwise characterized” and suggest that, for clinical use, NPMc+ AML be provisionally regarded as a separate AML with prognostic significance.

Defective Chemokine-Directed Lymphocyte Migration and Development in the Absence of Rho Guanosine Diphosphate-Dissociation Inhibitors α and β

Rho family small GTP-binding proteins, including Rho, Rac, and Cdc42, are key determinants of cell movement and actin-dependent cytoskeletal morphogenesis. Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor (GDI) alpha and Rho GDIbeta (or D4/Ly-GDI), closely related regulators for Rho proteins, are both expressed in hemopoietic cell lineages. Nevertheless, the functional contributions of Rho GDIs remain poorly understood in vivo. In this study, we report that combined disruption of both the Rho GDIalpha and Rho GDIbeta genes in mice resulted in reduction of marginal zone B cells in the spleen, retention of mature T cells in the thymic medulla, and a marked increase in eosinophil numbers. Furthermore, these mice showed lower CD3 expression and impaired CD3-mediated proliferation of T cells. While B cells showed slightly enhanced chemotactic migration in response to CXCL12, peripheral T cells showed markedly reduced chemotactic migration in response to CCL21 and CCL19 associated with decreased receptor levels of CCR7. Overall, Rho protein levels were reduced in the bone marrow, spleen, and thymus but sustained activation of the residual part of RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42 was detected mainly in the bone marrow and spleen. Rho GDIalpha and Rho GDIbeta thus play synergistic roles in lymphocyte migration and development by modulating activation cycle of the Rho proteins in a lymphoid organ-specific manner.

Cutting Edge: Inherent and Acquired Resistance to Radiation-Induced Apoptosis in B Cells: A Pivotal Role for STAT3

Radiation-induced apoptosis (RiA) is used therapeutically for tumor cell ablation as well as a tool to characterize hemopoietic cell lineages. We report that the peritoneal B-1 B cell subset is selectively resistant to RiA. Inherent radioresistance is not shared by splenic B-2 or B-1 cells. However, it is conferred upon B-2 cells by BCR crosslinking in the presence of IL-6 or IL-10. In vivo experiments with gene-targeted mice confirm that IL-6 and, to a lesser extent, IL-10 are the relevant stimuli that combine with BCR ligands to promote B-1 cell radioresistance. STAT3 promotes cell survival in response to selected growth factors, and is activated by combined BCR crosslinking and IL-6 (IL-10). Importantly, STAT3(-/-) B-1 cells become susceptible to irradiation, indicating that STAT3 activation by the BCR in the presence of IL costimuli account for the inherent radioresistance of peritoneal B-1 B cells.

HOXA6: A Novel Candidate Gene in AML.

Molecular classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has identified several candidate genes that could potentially define prognosis and response to therapy. One such candidate, identified from microarray studies, is the Class I homeobox gene HOXA9. The HOX gene network encodes master regulators of developmental processes including hemopoiesis. To quantify the contribution of this network of genes in AML, we carried out specific RQ-PCR analysis on twenty-four de novo patient samples using a subset of genes (12 HOX and MEIS1) selected on the basis of their recently reported expression in AML. HOXA6 was ranked, as the most highly expressed gene (range 1 x 103 – 2 x 107 copies per 50 ng RNA), substantially higher than HOXA9 (see Table). Further analysis identified high expression of HOXA6 in both human myeloid cell lines and CD34+ enriched primary progenitors. Parallel studies with murine progenitors (c-Kit+, Lin−) and cell lines also showed a preponderance of Hoxa6 expression over other family members including Hoxa9 and Hoxb4. Several hemopoietic cell lines, namely Ba/F3, EML, FDCP-Mix A4 and 32Dcl3 were subsequently used to investigate Hoxa6 regulation following differentiation or growth factor stimuli. Hoxa6 expression decreased with cell differentiation and growth factor depletion/replenishment studies indicated a cell-cycle component for Hoxa6 regulation. Direct evaluation of cell-cycle status, using Hoechst 33342 staining and cell sorting, identified peak expression of Hoxa6 during S-phase. Gene deletion studies involving Hox tend to result in either a moderate or no phenotype, presumably due to intrinsic compensatory mechanisms. We therefore overexpressed HOXA6 in the Ba/F3 cell line to gain functional insights. Ba/F3-A6 cells were compared to mock-transfected and vector controls on the basis of proliferation, maturation, cell-cycle status, growth factor-dependence and apoptosis. The Ba/F3-A6 cells displayed a growth advantage over normal cells in the presence of IL-3 and maturation was not impaired. Cell-cycle analysis showed a reduction in the number of cells in both G2M and S-phase, associated with accumulation in the pre G1-phase, indicative of increased apoptosis. IL-3 depletion studies of Ba/F3-A6 cells indicated substantial factor-independent growth compared to controls, implying oncogenic potential for HOXA6. In support of this, a recent report (Mamo et al, Blood. 2006 Jul 15;108(2):622–9) indicated Hoxa6 as a potential collaborator in a Meis1-induced model of AML. Taken together these findings identify Hoxa6 as a novel candidate gene in AML with the capacity to alter growth and survival of hemopoietic cells.Gene Expression Ranking of HOX and MEIS1 in AML.GENEEXPRESSION RANGEMEAN RANKS.D.OVERALL RANKHOXA61.2 x 103 – 1.7 x 1072.21.61HOXB39.3 x 101 – 8.4 x 1063.22.52HOXB2*7.9 x 102 – 5.4 x 1063.42.03HOXA94.0 x 101 – 5.3 x 1065.32.44MEIS10.6 x 101 – 8.4 x 1065.42.75HOXA10*2.4 x 102 – 1.7 x 1055.53.26HOXB41.5 x 102 – 7.8 x 1055.53.27HOXA7*5.3 x 103 – 1.8 x 1065.71.78HOXB62.3 x 101 – 8.8 x 1056.62.89HOXA44.1 x 101 – 1.1 x 1057.93.410HOXA5*3.4 x 101 – 4.3 x 1049.32.811HOXC61.0 x 101 – 3.2 x 1039.72.312HOXA11*4.0 x 101 – 6.1 x 10310.62.213Expression values (copies per 50 ng RNA) compiled from primary AML patient samples (n=24) or * (n=12). S.D = standard deviation.