Hematopoietic Stem Cells,Leukemic Stem Cells and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Blood-related cancers, or leukemias, have been shown to arise from a rare subset of cells that escape normal regulation and drive the formation and growth of the tumor. The finding that these so-called cancer stem cells, or leukemic stem cells (LSC), can be purified away from the other cells in the tumor allows their precise analysis to identify candidate molecules and regulatory pathways that play a role in progression, maintenance, and spreading of leukemias. The analyses of the other, numerically dominant, cells in the tumor, while also interesting, do not directly interrogate these key properties of malignancies. Mouse models of human myeloproliferative disorder and acute myelogenous leukemia have highlighted the remarkable conservation of disease mechanisms between both species. They can now be used to identify the LSC for each type of human leukemia and understand how they escape normal regulation and become malignant. Given the clinical importance of LSC identification, the insights gained through these approaches will quickly translate into clinical applications and lead to improved treatments for human leukemias.     

双氢青蒿素对人白血病细胞K562增殖及凋亡的影响

目的:研究双氢青蒿素对人白血病细胞增殖及凋亡的作用,探讨其对白血病的作用机制,为进一步研究提供依据。方法:体外培养K562细胞,用细胞计数法绘制生长曲线;流式细胞仪及荧光显微镜检测药物作用前后细胞凋亡作用;Western-blot测定药物作用前后线粒体、细胞浆细胞色素c的表达。结果:双氢青蒿素的浓度为1×10~(-4),1×10~(-5),1×10~(-6)l/L时,细胞生长受到显著抑制,并呈剂量依赖性;流式细胞仪检测出凋亡峰;Hoechst33342/PI双荧光染色可观察到明显的核浓缩、凝集等细胞凋亡表现;Western-blot检测1×10~(-5)mol/L药物处理细胞后线粒体细胞色素c表达水平下调1,细胞浆出现明显细胞色素c蛋白奈带。结论:双氢青蒿素能显著抑制人白血病细胞K562的生长,并诱导其凋亡,可能与线粒体途径有关。     

Hck和Lyn激酶与慢性髓细胞性白血病的关系

Src家族激酶（Sre—family kinase,SFK）是一组非受体型酪氨酸蛋白激酶,其家族成员Hck （hemopoietic cell kinase）和Lyn（v-yes-1 Yanaguchi sarcoma viral related oncogene homolog）激酶在慢性髓细胞性白血病（chronic myelogenous leukemia,CML）细胞中被BCR—ABL异常激活,并作用于多种细胞内信号转导分子,影响细胞的增殖、凋亡和迁移。深入研究SFK在CML发生和发展中的作用,对进一步认识CML发病机制及其靶向性治疗有着重要的实际意义。     

下调RALA表达抑制人白血病K562细胞迁移和侵袭

目的 研究小干扰RNA（siRNA）抑制v-ral 白血病致病因子RALA基因表达对人白血病K562细胞迁移和侵袭的影响.方法 利用LipofectamineTM 2000将化学合成的RALA siRNA转染体外培养的K562细胞,Real-time PCR检测细胞内RALA mRNA的表达水平;Western印迹检测细胞内RALA蛋白的表达水平;Boyden趋化小室实验检测细胞体外迁移和侵袭能力.结果与随机对照组相比,转染48 h后,RALA siRNA显著下调K562细胞内RALA mRNA和蛋白的表达（P＜0.05）.与随机对照组相比,转染RALA siRNA的K562细胞迁移和侵袭能力显著降低（P＜0.05）.结论 癌基因RALA在人白血病K562细胞迁移和侵袭过程中发挥重要作用,通过siRNA下调RALA的表达可抑制K562细胞迁移和侵袭能力.     

Aclacinomycin A Sensitizes K562 Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells to Imatinib through p38MAPK-Mediated Erythroid Differentiation

Expression of oncogenic Bcr-Abl inhibits cell differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Differentiation therapy is considered to be a new strategy for treating this type of leukemia. Aclacinomycin A (ACM) is an antitumor antibiotic. Previous studies have shown that ACM induced erythroid differentiation of CML cells. In this study, we investigate the effect of ACM on the sensitivity of human CML cell line K562 to Bcr-Abl specific inhibitor imatinib (STI571, Gleevec). We first determined the optimal concentration of ACM for erythroid differentiation but not growth inhibition and apoptosis in K562 cells. Then, pretreatment with this optimal concentration of ACM followed by a minimally toxic concentration of imatinib strongly induced growth inhibition and apoptosis compared to that with simultaneous co-treatment, indicating that ACM-induced erythroid differentiation sensitizes K562 cells to imatinib. Sequential treatment with ACM and imatinib induced Bcr-Abl down-regulation, cytochrome c release into the cytosol, and caspase-3 activation, as well as decreased Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL expressions, but did not affect Fas ligand/Fas death receptor and procaspase-8 expressions. ACM/imatinib sequential treatment-induced apoptosis was suppressed by a caspase-9 inhibitor and a caspase-3 inhibitor, indicating that the caspase cascade is involved in this apoptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ACM induced erythroid differentiation through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The inhibition of erythroid differentiation by p38MAPK inhibitor SB202190, p38MAPK dominant negative mutant or p38MAPK shRNA knockdown, reduced the ACM/imatinib sequential treatment-mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis. These results suggest that differentiated K562 cells induced by ACM-mediated p38MAPK pathway become more sensitive to imatinib and result in down-regulations of Bcr-Abl and anti-apoptotic proteins, growth inhibition and apoptosis. These results provided a potential management by which ACM might have a crucial impact on increasing sensitivity of CML cells to imatinib in the differentiation therapeutic approaches.     

Changes in Gene Expression and DNA Methylation of Evolutionarily Young AluY Repeats during Apoptosis of Human K562 Erythro-Myeloblastic Leukemia Cells

Using a human K562 erythromyeloblastoid cell culture, we demonstrated changes in gene expression of Alu repeats, members of evolutionarily young AluY subfamilies (human mobile SINE elements), and in the DNA methylation level of AluYb8 during camptothecin (CAM)-induced apoptosis. The AluY-RNA level increased about 10 times 24 h and 20 times 48 h after exposure to CAM vs. proliferating cells. Using methylation-specific (MSP) PCR and high-resolution melting (HRM), we showed that the overall AluYb8-DNA methylation level remained intact throughout the apoptotic stages. Using DNA sequencing after bisulfite conversion, we established that at the CpG site, located in the A'-box of the AluYb8 gene promoter, the methylation level decreased significantly during different apoptotic stages. Apparently, it is reduced CpG methylation at the A'-box of the AluYb8 gene promoter, discovered in this work, that is one of the possible factors which account for increased expression of AluY repeats during K562 cell apoptosis. We assume that increased gene expression of evolutionarily young AluY repeats plays an important role in the implementation of the cellular apoptotic pathway.     

RNAi干扰Shp2基因对K562细胞增殖的抑制效应

通过RNA干扰技术沉默蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶跏2基因,构建重纽质粒,采用实时荧光定量PCR（Real-timePCR）法、Westernblot、MTT法、流式细胞术（FCM）分别检测转染后K562细胞中bcr／abl融合基因、bcr／abl融合蛋白的表达水平、细胞生长增殖变化及细胞凋亡率,探索该基因的沉默表达对K562N胞的抑制作用。结果表明,该实验成功构建出能明显下调Shp2基因及其蛋白表达的重组质粒,转染K562细胞后,其bcr／abl融合基因及融合蛋白水平均明显降低、K562细胞增殖活力被抑制（P〈0．05）、细胞凋亡水平上升（P〈0．05）。与对照组相比,其差异具有统计学意义。提示,重组质粒可显著降低bcr／abl基因及蛋白的表达,抑制K562细胞的生物学效应,表明在细胞水平沉默Shp2有可能成为治疗慢性粒细胞白血病的有效靶点。     

Activation of STAT3 stimulates AHSP expression in K562 cells

Studies on the chaperone proteinα-hemoglobin stabilizing protein(AHSP)reveal that abundant AHSP in erythroid cells enhance the cells’tolerance to oxidative stress imposed by excessα-hemoglobin in pathological conditions.However,the potential intracellular modulation of AHSP expression itself in response to oxidative stress is still unknown.The present study examined the effect and molecular mechanism of STAT3,an oxidative regulator,on the expression of AHSP.AHSP expression increased in K562 cells upon cytokine IL-6-induced STAT3 activation and decreased in STAT3 knock-down K562 cells.Regulation of AHSP in oxidative circumstance was then examined inα-globin-overloaded K562 cells,and real-time PCR showed strengthened expression of both AHSP and STAT3.ChIP analysis showed binding of STAT3 to AHSP promoter and binding was significantly augmented with IL6 stimulation and uponα-globin overexpression.Dual luciferase reporter assays of the wildtype and mutated SB3 element,an IL-6RE site,in the AHSP promoter in K562 cells highlighted the direct regulatory effect of STAT3 on AHSP gene.Finally,direct binding of STAT3 to SB3 site of AHSP promoter was confirmed with EMSA assays.Our work reveals an adaptive AHSP regulation mediated by the redox-sensitive STAT3 signaling pathway,and provides clues to the therapeutic strategy for AHSP enhancement.     

PR1-Specific T Cells Are Associated with Unmaintained Cytogenetic Remission of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia After Interferon Withdrawal

Background

Interferon-α (IFN) induces complete cytogenetic remission (CCR) in 20–25% CML patients and in a small minority of patients; CCR persists after IFN is stopped. IFN induces CCR in part by increasing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for PR1, the HLA-A2-restricted 9-mer peptide from proteinase 3 and neutrophil elastase, but it is unknown how CCR persists after IFN is stopped.

Principal Findings

We reasoned that PR1-CTL persist and mediate CML-specific immunity in patients that maintain CCR after IFN withdrawal. We found that PR1-CTL were increased in peripheral blood of 7/7 HLA-A2+ patients during unmaintained CCR from 3 to 88 months after IFN withdrawal, as compared to no detectable PR1-CTL in 2/2 IFN-treated CML patients not in CCR. Unprimed PR1-CTL secreted IFNγ and were predominantly CD45RA±CD28+CCR7+CD57-, consistent with functional naïve and central memory (CM) T cells. Similarly, following stimulation, proliferation occurred predominantly in CM PR1-CTL, consistent with long-term immunity sustained by self-renewing CM T cells. PR1-CTL were functionally anergic in one patient 6 months prior to cytogenetic relapse at 26 months after IFN withdrawal, and in three relapsed patients PR1-CTL were undetectable but re-emerged 3–6 months after starting imatinib.

Conclusion

These data support the hypothesis that IFN elicits CML-specific CM CTL that may contribute to continuous CCR after IFN withdrawal and suggest a role for T cell immune therapy with or without tyrosine kinase inhibitors as a strategy to prolong CR in CML.     

Nrf2/HO-1/HMGB1信号通路在白血病细胞K562/A02化疗耐药中的机制研究

目的:通过观察高迁移率族蛋白1(HMGB1)、转录因子NF-E2相关因子2(Nrf2)及血红素加氧酶1(HO-1)基因沉默对白血病化疗耐药细胞(K562/A02细胞株)的影响,探讨该信号通路在白血病化疗耐药中的作用及其可能机制。方法:将HMGB1基因、Nrf2基因及HO-1基因的特异性干扰RNA分别转染阿霉素耐药细胞株K562/A02,荧光实时定量(RT-PCR)方法检测HMGB1、Nrf2及HO-1的mRNA表达水平,Western blot方法检测HMGB1、Nrf2及HO-1的蛋白表达水平,免疫荧光方法检测Nrf2的蛋白表达,并使用CCK-8方法检测转染前后K562/A02细胞株的细胞活性。结果:HMGB1基因、Nrf2基因或HO-1基因沉默的K562/A02细胞活性皆显著低于对照组及空白组(P0.05),化疗敏感性恢复。结论:HMGB1高表达导致了白血病细胞株K562/A02对阿霉素的化疗耐药,Nrf2/HO-1信号通路参与了HMGB1诱导的K562/A02细胞的化疗耐药,其表达上调可恢复K562/A02细胞对阿霉素的敏感性。     

二烯丙基二硫诱导人白血病K562 细胞凋亡及其对Bax、Bag-1 表达的影响

目的:探讨二烯丙基二硫(Diallyl disulfide)诱导白血病K562细胞凋亡的作用及其机制。方法:采用吖啶橙/溴化乙啶(AO/EB)染色法观察细胞凋亡形态学变化;DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳测定DNA梯度带;RT-PCR法检测BAG-1、BAX基因的mRNA表达变化。结果:DADS可诱导K562细胞凋亡。其对K562细胞的凋亡效用与药物浓度、有明显依赖关系;DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳示:40mg/LDADS作用K562细胞48小时后能够产生明显的梯形电泳图谱(DNA ladder):DADS作用48h后,BAX mRNA表达水平较对照组上调;BAG-1 mRNA较对照组下调(差异具有统计学意义,P<0.05)。结论:DADS能够诱导K562细胞凋亡,其凋亡机制可能与上调BAX,下调BAG-1有关。     

ZnPcH1介导的光动力疗法对K562细胞的作用及其机制研究

探讨新型光敏剂ZnPcH1介导的光动力疗法对K562细胞的杀伤效应及其杀伤机制.应用MTT比色法检测光动力疗法对K562细胞增殖能力的影响;采用AO/EB荧光染色法、DNA片段化分析、TUNNEL、AnnexinV-FTTC/PI双染法等检测ZnPcH1-PDT诱导K562细胞的死亡方式;以RT-PCR法检测ZnPcH...     

Targeting Catalase but Not Peroxiredoxins Enhances Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Apoptosis in K562 Cells

Despite considerable efficacy of arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treatment, other non-APL leukemias, such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), are less sensitive to As₂O₃ treatment. However, the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Here we show that relative As₂O₃-resistant K562 cells have significantly lower ROS levels than As₂O₃-sensitive NB4 cells. We compared the expression of several antioxidant enzymes in these two cell lines and found that peroxiredoxin 1/2/6 and catalase are expressed at high levels in K562 cells. We further investigated the possible role of peroxirdoxin 1/2/6 and catalase in determining the cellular sensitivity to As₂O₃. Interestingly, knockdown of peroxiredoxin 1/2/6 did not increase the susceptibility of K562 cells to As₂O₃. On the contrary, knockdown of catalase markedly enhanced As₂O₃-induced apoptosis. In addition, we provide evidence that overexpression of BCR/ABL cannot increase the expression of PRDX 1/2/6 and catalase. The current study reveals that the functional role of antioxidant enzymes is cellular context and treatment agents dependent; targeting catalase may represent a novel strategy to improve the efficacy of As₂O₃ in CML treatment.     

HERG1 Currents in Native K562 Leukemic Cells

The human ether-a-go-go related gene (HERG1) K⁺ channel is expressed in neoplastic cells, in which it was proposed to play a role in proliferation, differentiation and/or apoptosis. K562 cells (a chronic myeloid leukemic human cell line) express both the full-length (herg1a) and the N-terminally truncated (herg1b) isoforms of the gene, and this was confirmed with Western blots and coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Whole-cell currents were studied with a tail protocol. Seventy-eight percent of cells showed a HERG1-like current: repolarization to voltages negative to −40 mV produced a transient peak inward tail current, characteristic of HERG1 channels. Cells were exposed to a HERG-specific channel blocker, E4031. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of the blocker was 4.69 nm. The kinetics of the HERG1 current in K562 cells resembled the rapid component of the native cardiac delayed rectifier current, known to be conducted by heterotetrameric HERG1 channels. Fast and slow deactivation time constants at −120 mV were 27.5 and 239.5 ms, respectively. Our results in K562 cells suggest the assembling of heterotetrameric channels, with some parameters being dominated by one of the isoforms and other parameters being intermediate. Hydrogen peroxide was shown to increase HERG1a K⁺ current in heterologous expression systems, which constitutes an apoptotic signal. However, we found that K562 HERG1 whole-cell currents were not activated by H₂O₂.     

Matrine Induces Apoptosis in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells via the Mitochondrial Pathway and Akt Inactivation

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy characterized by a rapid increase in the number of immature myeloid cells in bone marrow. Despite recent advances in the treatment, AML remains an incurable disease. Matrine, a major component extracted from Sophora flavescens Ait, has been demonstrated to exert anticancer effects on various cancer cell lines. However, the effects of matrine on AML remain largely unknown. Here we investigated its anticancer effects and underlying mechanisms on human AML cells in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that matrine inhibited cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in AML cell lines as well as primary AML cells from patients with AML in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Matrine induced apoptosis by collapsing the mitochondrial membrane potential, inducing cytochrome c release from mitochondria, reducing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, increasing activation of caspase-3, and decreasing the levels of p-Akt and p-ERK1/2. The apoptotic effects of matrine on AML cells were partially blocked by a caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK and a PI3K/Akt activator IGF-1, respectively. Matrine potently inhibited in vivo tumor growth following subcutaneous inoculation of HL-60 cells in SCID mice. These findings indicate that matrine can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of AML cells and may be a novel effective candidate as chemotherapeutic agent against AML.     

Stability Analysis of a Model of Interaction Between the Immune System and Cancer Cells in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

We describe here a simple model for the interaction between leukemic cells and the autologous immune response in chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). This model is a simplified version of the model we proposed in Clapp et al. (Cancer Res 75:4053–4062, 2015). Our simplification is based on the observation that certain key characteristics of the dynamics of CML can be captured with a three-compartment model: two for the leukemic cells (stem cells and mature cells) and one for the immune response. We characterize the existence of steady states and their stability for generic forms of immunosuppressive effects of leukemic cells. We provide a complete co-dimension one bifurcation analysis. Our results show how clinical response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors treatment is compatible with the existence of a stable low disease, treatment-free steady state.     

The Mechanism of Action of Splenic Irradiation in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The mechanism of action of splenic irradiation in the induction of a remission in chronic myelogenous leukemia was investigated in six patients using a leukocyte kinetic approach. The leukocytes were labelled in vitro with radioactive diisopropylfluorophosphate-32 and returned to the circulation. The effect of treatment on the rate of change of leukocyte specific activity was determined. The results suggest (1) that irradiation of the spleen damages granulopoietic cells as they cycle back and forth between the spleen, blood and other extravascular compartments; (2) that damage to exchangeable granulopoietic cells in transit through the irradiated spleen may explain the long remission often encountered after this form of therapy.