IGF-IR determines the fates of BCR/ABL leukemia

Background

The tyrosine kinase receptor insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-IR) contributes to the initiation and progression of many types of malignancies. We previously showed that IGF-2, which binds IGF-IR, is an extrinsic factor that supports the ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). We also demonstrated that IGF-IR is not required for HSC activity in vivo.

Methods and results

Here we investigated the role of IGF-IR in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) using the retroviral BCR/ABL transplantation mouse model. Existing antibodies against IGF-IR are not suitable for flow cytometry; therefore, we generated a fusion of the human IgG Fc fragment with mutant IGF-2 that can bind to IGF-IR. We used this fusion protein to evaluate mouse primary hematopoietic populations. Through transplantation assays with IGF-IR⁺ and IGF-IR⁻ cells, we demonstrated that IGF-IR is expressed on all mouse HSCs. The expression of IGF-IR is much higher on CML cells than on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. The depletion of IGF-IR expression in BCR/ABL⁺ cells led to the development of ALL (mostly T cell ALL) but not CML. Lack of IGF-IR resulted in decreased self-renewal of the BCR/ABL⁺ CML cells in the serial replating assay.

Conclusion

IGF-IR regulates the cell fate determination of BCR/ABL⁺ leukemia cells and supports the self-renewal of CML cells.     

The two major imatinib resistance mutations E255K and T315I enhance the activity of BCR/ABL fusion kinase

The resistance to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib in BCR/ABL-positive leukemias is mostly associated with mutations in the kinase domain of BCR/ABL, which include the most prevalent mutations E255K and T315I. Intriguingly, these mutations have also been identified in some patients before imatinib treatment. Here we examined the effects of these mutations on the kinase activity of a BCR/ABL kinase domain construct that also contained the SH3 and SH2 domains. When expressed in COS7 cells, the BCR/ABL construct with either E255K or T315I exhibited not only the resistance to imatinib but also the increase in activity to induce autophosphorylation as well as tyrosine phosphorylation of various cellular proteins, which included STAT5. The mutant kinases also showed increased activities in in vitro kinase assays. These results raise a possibility that the major imatinib resistance mutations E255K and T315I may confer the growth advantage on leukemic cells to expand in the absence of selective pressure from imatinib treatment.     

BCR/ABL activates Rap1 and B-Raf to stimulate the MEK/Erk signaling pathway in hematopoietic cells

The BCR/ABL fusion tyrosine kinase activates various intracellular signaling pathways, thus causing chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Here we demonstrate that the inducible expression of BCR/ABL in a murine hematopoietic cell line, TonB210, leads to the activation of the Ras family small GTPase Rap1, which is inhibited by the ABL kinase inhibitor imatinib. The Rap1 activity in a CML cell line, K562, was also inhibited by imatinib. Inhibition of Rap1 activation by a dominant negative mutant of Rap1, Rap1-N17, or SPA-1 inhibited the BCR/ABL-induced activation of Elk-1. BCR/ABL also activated in a kinase activity-dependent manner the B-Raf kinase, which is an effector molecule of Rap1 and a potent activator of the MEK/Erk/Elk-1 signaling pathway. Together, these data suggest that, in addition to the well-established Ras/Raf-1 pathway, BCR/ABL activates the alternative signaling pathway involving Rap1 and B-Raf to activate Erk, which may play important roles in leukemogenesis.     

Assessment of downstream effectors of BCR/ABL protein tyrosine kinase using combined proteomic approaches

Leukaemic transformation is frequently associated with the aberrant activity of a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK). As such it is of clinical relevance to be able to map the effects of these leukaemogenic PTKs on haemopoietic cells at the level of phosphorylation modulation. In this paradigm study we have employed a range of proteomic approaches to analyse the effects of one such PTK, BCR/ABL. We have employed phosphoproteome enrichment techniques allied to peptide and protein quantification to identify proteins and pathways involved in cellular transformation. Amongst the proteins shown to be regulated at the post‐translational level were cofilin, an actin‐severing protein thus linked to altered motility and Cbl an E3 ubiquitin ligase integrally linked to the control of tyrosine kinase signalling (regulated by 5 and 6 PTKs respectively). The major class of proteins identified however were molecular chaperones. We also showed that HSP90 phosphorylation is altered by BCR/ABL action and that HSP90 plays a crucial role in oncogene stability. Further investigation with another six leukaemogenic PTKs demonstrates that this HSP90 role in oncogene stability appears to be a common phenomenon in a range of leukaemias. This opens up the potential opportunity to treat different leukaemias with HSP90 inhibitors.     

Down-regulation of miR-199b associated with imatinib drug resistance in 9q34.1 deleted BCR/ABL positive CML patients

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) occurs due to t(9,22) (q34;q11) and molecularly BCR/ABL gene fusion. About 15–18% Philadelphia positive CML patients have gene deletions around the translocation breakpoints on 9q34.1. The microRNAs (miRNAs), namely miR-219-2 and miR-199b, centromeric to the ABL1 gene are frequently lost in CML patients. We have designed a study to determine miR-219-2 and miR-199b expression levels which would help to understand the prognosis of imatinib therapy. A total of 150 CML patients were analyzed to identify 9q deletion. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) was performed using BCR/ABL dual color, dual fusion probe to study the signal pattern and BAC probes for miR-199b and miR-219-2 (RP11-339B21 and RP11-395P17) to study the miRNA deletions. The expression level of miRNA was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). FISH analysis revealed 9q34.1 deletion in 34 (23%) CML patients. The deletions were not detected using BAC probes for miRNAs in 9q deleted patients. The expression analysis showed down-regulation of miR-199b and miR-219-2 in the 9q deleted patients (34 CML) as compared to a pool of patients without deletion. However, miR-199b (9q34.11) was significantly (p = 0.001) down-regulated compared to miR-219-2. The follow-up study showed that the miR-199b was found to be strongly associated with imatinib resistance, as 44.11% patients showed resistance to imatinib therapy. Hence, the deletion in 9q34.1 region (ABL) plays an important role in disease pathogenesis. Eventually, miRNAs can provide new therapeutic strategies and can be used as a prognostic indicator.     

IRF-4 suppresses BCR/ABL transformation of myeloid cells in a DNA binding-independent manner

Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF-4) is essential for B and T cell development and immune response regulation, and has both nuclear and cytoplasmic functions. IRF-4 was originally identified as a proto-oncogene resulting from a t(6;14) chromosomal translocation in multiple myeloma and its expression was shown to be essential for multiple myeloma cell survival. However, we have previously shown that IRF-4 functions as a tumor suppressor in the myeloid lineage and in early stages of B cell development. In this study, we found that IRF-4 suppresses BCR/ABL transformation of myeloid cells. To gain insight into the molecular pathways that mediate IRF-4 tumor suppressor function, we performed a structure-function analysis of IRF-4 as a suppressor of BCR/ABL transformation. We found that the DNA binding domain deletion mutant of IRF-4, which is localized only in the cytoplasm, is still able to inhibit BCR/ABL transformation of myeloid cells. IRF-4 also functions as a tumor suppressor in bone marrow cells deficient in MyD88, an IRF-4-interacting protein found in the cytoplasm. However, IRF-4 tumor suppressor activity is lost in IRF association domain (IAD) deletion mutants. These results demonstrate that IRF-4 suppresses BCR/ABL transformation by a novel cytoplasmic function involving its IAD domain.     

PESV 对K562 细胞BCR/ABL 融合基因及凋亡调控因子Bcl-2、Bad 表达的影响

目的:探讨PESV对K562细胞BCR/ABL融合基因及凋亡调控因子bcl-2和bad表达的影响.方法:将体外培养K562细胞,经PESV处理不同时间后,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,荧光定量RT-PCR检测BCR/ABL、Bcl-2、Bad mRNA水平变化.结果:与对照组相比,PESV处理后K562细胞,凋亡率增加,BCR/ABL融合基因表达降低,抗凋亡相关基因Bcl-2 mRNA表达降低,促凋亡基因Bad mRNA表达增加.结论:PESV能降低降低K562细胞BCR/ABL融合基因的表达,可能通过调节Bcl-2和Bad表达,抑制K562细胞增殖,促进其凋亡.     

LY294002对CML急变期细胞中Wnt／β-catenin信号通路的影响及其效应

β-catening在慢性粒细胞白血病急变过程中发挥着重要作用,而其受BCR／ABLTL其下游信号通路调控的具体分子机制尚未完全阐明。该研究旨在探讨PI3K-AK聪号通路对慢粒急变期细胞的影响及其对Wnt／β-catenin信号通路的调控作用。采用P13K-AKT信号通路的靶向抑制剂LY294002作用于慢粒急变期K562细胞,MTT法检测其对细胞增殖的影响,甲基纤维素克隆形成实验检测细胞的克隆形成能力,Western blot检测pAKT（Thr308）的表达变化,RT-PCR和Western blot分别检测β-catenin及其下游靶基因c—myc、cyclinD1的mRNA和蛋白表达情况。结果显示,10,20,40μmol/L的LY294002作用细胞24h后,抑制了K562细胞的增殖以及克隆形成能力。该效应呈浓度依赖的方式。3种浓度的LY294002处理细胞后,PI3K—AKT信号通路明显被抑制,pAKT（Thr308）的蛋白表达明显减少;β-catenin的mRNA表达无明显改变,但其蛋白水平依次减少;β-catenin的下游靶基因c-myc、cyclin D1的mRNA和蛋白水平均明显降低。综上所述,抑制PI3K-AKT信号通路可抑制白血病K562细胞的增殖和克隆形成能力,其机制可能与抑制Wnt／β-catenin信号通路相关。     

BCR/ABL-specific CD8<Superscript>+</Superscript> T cells can be detected from CML patients,but are only expanded from healthy donors

The BCR/ABL p210 fusion protein has long been considered an ideal target antigen for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) due to its central role in malignant transformation and to its unique novel amino acid sequence solely expressed in leukaemia cells. However, the feasibility to expand BCR-ABL-specific T cells remains still controversial. Using BCR/ABL peptide/MHC tetramers, significantly higher frequencies of tetramer positive cells were detected in the peripheral blood of HLA-A*0301 (mean 0.38%) and HLA-B*0801 (mean 0.28%) CML patients than in healthy donors (P = 0.0025 and 0.0026, respectively). However, following stimulation with autologous peptide-pulsed DCs, BCR/ABL-specific T cells were only expanded from some healthy donors, suggesting that CML patients may have a specific immune deficit with respect to the BCR/ABL antigen. Professor A. I. Dodi passed away recently. This paper is an original contribution from the meeting which took place 28–29 May 2008 in Nottingham, UK, celebrating the contribution of Prof. A. I. “Tony” Dodi (29 January 2008) to the EU project “Network for the identification and validation of antigens and biomarkers in cancer and their application in clinical tumour immunology (ENACT)”.     

Pathological role of a point mutation (T315I) in BCR‐ABL1 protein—A computational insight

BCR‐ABL protein is one of the most potent target to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Apart from other mutations, T315I is especially challenging as it confers resistance to all first‐ and second‐generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. So, a thorough study of altered behavior upon mutation is crucially needed. To understand the resistance mechanism of mutant BCR‐ABL protein, we organized a long‐term molecular dynamics simulation (500 ns) and performed the detailed comparative conformational analysis. We found that due to mutation at 315th position (threonine to isoleucine), original structures deviated from normal, and attained a flexible conformation. Our observations pave a clear path toward designing new inhibitors against resistant BCR‐ABL1 protein and suggest a strategy where additional flexibility governed by mutation could be given an appropriate consideration.     

The Functional Interplay Between the t(9;22)-Associated Fusion Proteins BCR/ABL and ABL/BCR in Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphatic Leukemia

The hallmark of Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph⁺) leukemia is the BCR/ABL kinase, which is successfully targeted by selective ATP competitors. However, inhibition of BCR/ABL alone is unable to eradicate Ph⁺ leukemia. The t(9;22) is a reciprocal translocation which encodes not only for the der22 (Philadelphia chromosome) related BCR/ABL, but also for der9 related ABL/BCR fusion proteins, which can be detected in 65% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and 100% of patients with Ph⁺ acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL). ABL/BCRs are oncogenes able to influence the lineage commitment of hematopoietic progenitors. Aim of this study was to further disclose the role of p96^ABL/BCR for the pathogenesis of Ph⁺ ALL. The co-expression of p96^ABL/BCR enhanced the kinase activity and as a consequence, the transformation potential of p185^BCR/ABL. Targeting p96^ABL/BCR by RNAi inhibited growth of Ph⁺ ALL cell lines and Ph⁺ ALL patient-derived long-term cultures (PD-LTCs). Our in vitro and in vivo stem cell studies further revealed a functional hierarchy of p96^ABL/BCR and p185^BCR/ABL in hematopoietic stem cells. Co-expression of p96^ABL/BCR abolished the capacity of p185^BCR/ABL to induce a CML-like disease and led to the induction of ALL. Taken together our here presented data reveal an important role of p96^ABL/BCR for the pathogenesis of Ph⁺ ALL.     

Quantification of change in phosphorylation of BCR-ABL kinase and its substrates in response to Imatinib treatment in human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells

Phosphorylation by the constitutively activated BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase is associated with the pathogenesis of the human chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). It is difficult to characterize kinase response to stimuli or drug treatment because regulatory phosphorylation events are largely transient changes affecting low abundance proteins. Stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) has emerged as a pivotal technology for quantitative proteomics. By metabolically labeling proteins with light or heavy tyrosine, we are able to quantify the change in phosphorylation of BCR-ABL kinase and its substrates in response to drug treatment in human CML cells. In this study, we observed that BCR-ABL kinase is phosphorylated at tyrosines 393 and 644, and that SH2-domain containing inositol phosphatase (SHIP)-2 and downstream of kinase (Dok)-2 are phosphorylated at tyrosine 1135 and 299, respectively. Based on the relative intensity of isotopic peptide pairs, we demonstrate that the level of phosphorylation of BCR-ABL kinase as well as SHIP-2 and Dok-2 is reduced approximately 90% upon treatment with Imatinib, a specific inhibitor of BCR-ABL kinase. Furthermore, proteins, such as SHIP-1, SH2-containing protein (SHC) and Casitas B-lineage lymphoma proto-oncogene (CBL), are also regulated by Imatinib. These results demonstrate the simplicity and utility of SILAC as a method to quantify dynamic changes in phosphorylation at specific sites in response to stimuli or drug treatment in cell culture.     

Reciprocal t(9;22) ABL/BCR Fusion Proteins: Leukemogenic Potential and Effects on B Cell Commitment

Background

t(9;22) is a balanced translocation, and the chromosome 22 breakpoints (Philadelphia chromosome – Ph⁺) determine formation of different fusion genes that are associated with either Ph⁺ acute lymphatic leukemia (Ph⁺ ALL) or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The “minor” breakpoint in Ph⁺ ALL encodes p185^BCR/ABL from der22 and p96^ABL/BCR from der9. The “major” breakpoint in CML encodes p210^BCR/ABL and p40^ABL/BCR. Herein, we investigated the leukemogenic potential of the der9-associated p96^ABL/BCR and p40^ABL/BCR fusion proteins and their roles in the lineage commitment of hematopoietic stem cells in comparison to BCR/ABL.

Methodology

All t(9;22) derived proteins were retrovirally expressed in murine hematopoietic stem cells (SL cells) and human umbilical cord blood cells (UCBC). Stem cell potential was determined by replating efficiency, colony forming - spleen and competitive repopulating assays. The leukemic potential of the ABL/BCR fusion proteins was assessed by in a transduction/transplantation model. Effects on the lineage commitment and differentiation were investigated by culturing the cells under conditions driving either myeloid or lymphoid commitment. Expression of key factors of the B-cell differentiation and components of the preB-cell receptor were determined by qRT-PCR.

Principal Findings

Both p96^ABL/BCR and p40^ABL/BCR increased proliferation of early progenitors and the short term stem cell capacity of SL-cells and exhibited own leukemogenic potential. Interestingly, BCR/ABL gave origin exclusively to a myeloid phenotype independently from the culture conditions whereas p96^ABL/BCR and to a minor extent p40^ABL/BCR forced the B-cell commitment of SL-cells and UCBC.

Conclusions/Significance

Our here presented data establish the reciprocal ABL/BCR fusion proteins as second oncogenes encoded by the t(9;22) in addition to BCR/ABL and suggest that ABL/BCR contribute to the determination of the leukemic phenotype through their influence on the lineage commitment.     

Patterns of BCR/ABL Gene Rearrangements in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia with Complex t(9;22) Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the reciprocal translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) which fuses the ABL1 oncogene on chromosome 9 with the BCR gene on chromosome 22. It is the BCR/ABL protein that drives the neoplasm and the ABL/BCR is not necessary for the disease. In the majority of CML cases, the BCR/ABL fusion gene is cytogenetically recognizable as a small derivative chromosome 22(der 22), which is known as the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. However, approximately 2-10% of patients with CML involve cryptic or complex variant translocations with deletions on the der(9) and/or der(22) occuring in roughly 10-15% of CML cases. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis can help identify deletions and complex or cryptic rearrangements. Various BCR/ABL FISH probes are available, which include dual color single fusion, dual color extra signal (ES), dual color dual fusion and tri color dual fusion probes. To test the utility of these probes, six patients diagnosed with CML carrying different complex variant Ph translocations were studied by G-banding and FISH analysis using the BCR/ABL ES, BCR/ABL dual color dual fusion, and BCR/ABL tricolor probes. There are differences among the probes in their ability to detect variant rearrangements, with or without accompanying chromoso me 9 and/or 22 deletions, and low level disease.     

苏尼替尼治疗46例慢性粒细胞白血病的临床分析

目的比较和评价苏尼替尼治疗慢性粒细胞白血病（CML）的临床效果。方法回顾分析近7年来收治我院的46例CML患者的临床诊疗资料,统计其完全缓解（CR）率、生存期及影响因素。结果完全缓解35例,占总病例数的76.09%;部分缓解7例,占15.22%;未缓解4例,占8.69%。统计至2010年12月,五年存活26例,五年生存率56.52%。结论苏尼替尼是早期治疗CML的有效手段,能较为明显的缓解病情,减少并发症的发生率,提高患者的生存率,治疗过程中仍需要患者及其家属的密切配合。     

Curcumin potentiates the anti-leukemia effects of imatinib by downregulation of the AKT/mTOR pathway and BCR/ABL gene expression in Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) is triggered by BCR/ABL and SRC family tyrosine kinases. They interact with each other and subsequently activate downstream growth-signaling pathways, including Raf/MEK/ERK, Akt/mTOR, and STAT5 pathways. Although imatinib is the standard treatment for Ph+ leukemia, response rate of Ph+ ALL to imatinib is low, relapse is frequent and quick. Studies have documented the potential anti-tumor activities of curcumin. However, whether curcumin can be used in the therapy for Ph+ ALL remains obscure. Here, we reported that curcumin induced apoptosis by inhibition of AKT/mTOR and ABL/STAT5 signaling, down-regulation of BCR/ABL expression, and induction of the BCL2/BAX imbalance. Curcumin exerted synergetic anti-leukemia effects with imatinib by inhibition of the imatinib-mediated overactivation of AKT/mTOR signaling and down-regulation of BCR/ABL gene expression. In primary samples from Ph+ ALL patients, curcumin inhibited cellular proliferation and down-regulated constitutive activation of growth-signaling pathways not only in newly diagnosed patients but also in imatinib-resistant patients. In Ph+ ALL mouse models, curcumin exhibited synergetic anti-leukemia effects with imatinib. These results demonstrated that curcumin might be a promising agent for Ph+ ALL patients.     

Protein 1a: A major wheat germ agglutinin binding protein on the surface of human granulocytes associated with the cytoskeleton

Lectin-receptors on leukocyte and endothelial surfaces are becoming more important in the light of increasing evidence which implicates lectin-carbohydrate interactions in diverse physiological phenomena. This study reports the identification of a major 118 kDa granulocyte surface protein, (Protein 1a) which binds the lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and is distinctly different from reported WGA binding granulocyte membrane proteins. Protein 1a has been isolated from the Triton-soluble and Triton-insoluble lysates of normal individuals and patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) using a combination of differential solubilization, lectin affinity, ion exchange chromatography and HPLC. The protein from the detergent lysates of both normal and CML granulocytes has similar pI values, lectin affinities, and hydrophobicity. However, its solubility in Triton is different in the two cell types. In 71% of CML cases examined, Protein 1a exhibits decreased Triton solubility suggesting its increased association with the cytoskeleton (CSK). Stimulation of normal granulocytes with WGA leads to the translocation of the soluble form of Protein 1a to the Triton-insoluble fraction. This cytoskeletal recruitment of Protein 1a is sustained only under conditions of excess WGA and occupied receptor. The CSK disruptive agent dihydrocytochalasin B (H₂CB) releases the insoluble form of the receptor into the Triton-soluble fraction. Investigation of a CSK-involving process such as ligand internalization revealed that CML granulocytes exhibit slower kinetics of internalization of fluorescent WGA molecules. Since Protein 1a is a major WGA receptor on the granulocyte surface, its decreased Triton solubility in CML granulocytes suggests that this may be one of the factors contributing to the defective receptor-mediated endocytosis of WGA by CML cells, arising as a consequence of altered membrane-CSK interaction — a nodal point in the signal transduction cascade.