JAK2V617F and p53 mutations coexist in erythroleukemia and megakaryoblastic leukemic cell lines

BACKGROUND: JAK2V617F, a gain-of-function mutant form of tyrosine kinase JAK2, is found in the majority of patients with Ph- myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), a group of chronic hematological diseases that often lead to acute leukemia. The current study is intended to find other gene mutations that collaborate with JAK2V617F to cause leukemic transformation. METHODS: Total RNA and genomic DNA were isolated from two JAK2V617F-positive cell lines, namely, erythroleukemic HEL and megakaryoblastic leukemic SET-2 cells. Candidate genes were amplified by PCR and further sequenced. RESULTS: Homozygous mutations of the TP53 gene which encodes tumor suppressor p53 were found in HEL and SET-2 cells. While HEL cells, which have homozygous JAK2V617F, contain a rare M133K p53 mutation, SET-2 cells, which have a heterozygous JAK2V617F mutation, contain a common R248W p53 alteration. Western blot analyses revealed high levels of p53 expression in both cells. M133K and R248W are located in the DNA binding domain of p53. Structural analyses revealed that they potentially disrupt the interaction of p53 with DNA, thereby causing loss of p53 function. CONCLUSIONS: JAK2V617F and p53 mutations coexist in leukemia cells. We believe that JAK2V617F is able to drive leukemic transformation when the function of tumor suppressor p53 is lost. The interplay of JAK2V617F with p53 may affect the progression of MPNs

SU11652 Inhibits tyrosine kinase activity of FLT3 and growth of MV-4-11 cells

Abstract Background FLT3-ITD and FLT3-TKD mutations are frequently found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This makes tyrosine kinase FLT3 a highly attractive target for therapeutic drug development. However, effective drugs have not yet emerged. This study is intended to identify and to characterize new FLT3 inhibitors. Methods By using the protein substrate GST-FLT3S to analyze kinase activity of recombinant proteins carrying the catalytic domain of wild type and mutant forms of FLT3, we screened a chemical library containing 80 known protein kinase inhibitors. We identified SU11652 as a potent FLT3 inhibitor and further employed FLT3-ITD-positive MV- 4–11 cells to study its effects on cell growth, apoptosis, cell cycles, and cell signaling. Results SU11652 strongly inhibited the activity of wild type, D835Y, and D835H mutant forms of FLT3 with IC50 values of 1.5, 16, and 32 nM, respectively. It effectively blocked the growth of FLT3-ITD -positive MV-4-11 cells at nanomolar concentrations but exhibited much less effects on several other cells which do not carry mutations of FLT3. SU11652 inhibited growth of MV-4-11 cells by inducing apoptosis, causing cell cycle arrest, and blocking activation of the ERK, Akt, and STAT signaling pathways. Conclusion SU11652 is a potent FLT3 inhibitor which selectively targets FLT3-ITD-positive cells. It should serve as a good candidate for development of therapeutic drugs to treat AML. </jats:sec

Tyrosine phosphatase MEG2 modulates murine development and platelet and lymphocyte activation through secretory vesicle function

MEG2, a protein tyrosine phosphatase with a unique NH2-terminal lipid-binding domain, binds to and is modulated by the polyphosphoinositides PI(4,5)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3. Recent data implicate MEG2 in vesicle fusion events in leukocytes. Through the genesis of Meg2-deficient mice, we demonstrate that Meg2−/−embryos manifest hemorrhages, neural tube defects including exencephaly and meningomyeloceles, cerebral infarctions, abnormal bone development, and >90% late embryonic lethality. T lymphocytes and platelets isolated from recombination activating gene 2−/− mice transplanted with Meg2−/− embryonic liver–derived hematopoietic progenitor cells showed profound defects in activation that, in T lymphocytes, was attributable to impaired interleukin 2 secretion. Ultrastructural analysis of these lymphocytes revealed near complete absence of mature secretory vesicles. Taken together, these observations suggest that MEG2-mediated modulation of secretory vesicle genesis and function plays an essential role in neural tube, vascular, and bone development as well as activation of mature platelets and lymphocytes

Aconitase Regulation of Erythropoiesis Correlates with a Novel Licensing Function in Erythropoietin-Induced ERK Signaling

Erythroid development requires the action of erythropoietin (EPO) on committed progenitors to match red cell output to demand. In this process, iron acts as a critical cofactor, with iron deficiency blunting EPO-responsiveness of erythroid progenitors. Aconitase enzymes have recently been identified as possible signal integration elements that couple erythropoiesis with iron availability. In the current study, a regulatory role for aconitase during erythropoiesis was ascertained using a direct inhibitory strategy.In C57BL/6 mice, infusion of an aconitase active-site inhibitor caused a hypoplastic anemia and suppressed responsiveness to hemolytic challenge. In a murine model of polycythemia vera, aconitase inhibition rapidly normalized red cell counts, but did not perturb other lineages. In primary erythroid progenitor cultures, aconitase inhibition impaired proliferation and maturation but had no effect on viability or ATP levels. This inhibition correlated with a blockade in EPO signal transmission specifically via ERK, with preservation of JAK2-STAT5 and Akt activation. Correspondingly, a physical interaction between ERK and mitochondrial aconitase was identified and found to be sensitive to aconitase inhibition.Direct aconitase inhibition interferes with erythropoiesis in vivo and in vitro, confirming a lineage-selective regulatory role involving its enzymatic activity. This inhibition spares metabolic function but impedes EPO-induced ERK signaling and disturbs a newly identified ERK-aconitase physical interaction. We propose a model in which aconitase functions as a licensing factor in ERK-dependent proliferation and differentiation, thereby providing a regulatory input for iron in EPO-dependent erythropoiesis. Directly targeting aconitase may provide an alternative to phlebotomy in the treatment of polycythemia vera

Transgenic Expression of JAK2V617F Causes Myeloproliferative Disorders in Mice.

Abstract Recently, an acquired mutation of tyrosine kinase JAK2 was found in most patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) including polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and idiopathic myelofibrosis. We have generated transgenic mice expressing the mutation enzyme, JAK2V617F, in the hematopoietic system driven by the promoter of the vav gene. The mice are viable and fertile. One line of the transgenic mice expressed a lower level of JAK2V617F and displayed elevated blood cell counts, while the other line expressed a higher level of JAK2V617F and exhibited a marked increase in blood counts and developed phenotypes that closely resembled human ET and PV. The latter line of mice also developed marrow and spleen fibrosis as the animal aged. In general, the transgenic mice had megakaryocytic hyperplasia in the bone morrow and extramedullary hematopoiesis resulting in splenomegaly, and their serum erythropoietin level was also significantly reduced. In vitro colony assays demonstrated that transgenic mice possessed an increased number of hematopoietic progenitor cells in peripheral blood, spleen, and bone marrow and that these cells displayed hyper-sensitivity to growth factors and cytokines. The data prove that JAK2V617F is a cause of MPDs. Our study thus provides a permanent mouse system for further study to define the pathological role of JAK2V617F and to develop treatment for MPDs.</jats:p

Transgene Dose- and Age-Dependent Development of Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Phenotypes In JAK2V617F Transgene Mice

Abstract Abstract 1980 Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are heterogeneous hematologic disorders represented by three main phenotypes: polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The major molecular lesion in these diseases is JAK2V617F, which occurs in over 95% patients with PV and in over 50% of patients with ET or PMF. The pathogenic effects of JAK2V617F have been demonstrated by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, transgenic, and knock-in mouse models, but the precise mode of JAK2V617F action is not clear. Interestingly, in the knock-in model, expression of JAK2V617F causes severe PV-like disease but not ET-like phenotype as seen in patients. To verify the pathogenic role of JAK2V617F, we further characterized the phenotypes of three lines of JAK2V617F transgenic mice generated by using the vav gene promoter which drives expression of transgenes in the hematopoietic system. These mice developed MPN-like phenotypes in a transgene dose- and age-dependent manner. Line A mice have a JAK2V617F gene copy number of 13; they develop MPN phenotype with marked increases in blood counts and enlarged spleens as early as 4–6 weeks after birth. In contrast, lines B and D mice have a transgene copy number of 2 and 1, respectively, and it takes nearly 70 weeks for these mice to show MPN-like phenotypes. The phenotype of line A mice is particularly noteworthy. Essentially all the hemizygous line A mice displayed an ET-like phenotype with marked elevations in platelet counts (usually over 4000×109/L by the age of 15 weeks), but only a slight increase in red cell and white cell counts. In contrast, all the homozygous mice exhibited a clear PV-like phenotype with elevations in all three types of blood cells, although their platelets hardly ever went over 4000×109/L. The hemizygous mice developed myelofibrosis after 30 weeks while the homozygous mice showed the symptom within only 10 weeks. As expected, the increased blood cell counts and formation of myelofibrosis are associated with mobilization of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells to peripheral hematopoietic tissues (blood, spleen, and liver). By conducting stem cell transplant experiments, we further proved that JAK2V617F-induced ET and PV-like phenotypes are transplantable. Our study demonstrates that transgenic expression of JAK2V617F is capable of producing all three phenotypes of MPNs in a transgense dose- and age-dependent manner. Our transgenic mice thus represent an excellent model system to study MPNs. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. </jats:sec