PRL2 phosphatase enhances oncogenic FLT3 signaling via dephosphorylation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase CBL at tyrosine 371.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer with poor prognosis. FMS-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3 (FLT3) is one of the major oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases aberrantly activated in AML. Although protein tyrosine phosphatase PRL2 is highly expressed in some subtypes of AML compared with normal human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, the mechanisms by which PRL2 promotes leukemogenesis are largely unknown. We discovered that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PRL2 significantly reduce the burden of FLT3-internal tandem duplications-driven leukemia and extend the survival of leukemic mice. Furthermore, we found that PRL2 enhances oncogenic FLT3 signaling in leukemia cells, promoting their proliferation and survival. Mechanistically, PRL2 dephosphorylates the E3 ubiquitin ligase CBL at tyrosine 371 and attenuates CBL-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of FLT3, leading to enhanced FLT3 signaling in leukemia cells. Thus, our study reveals that PRL2 enhances oncogenic FLT3 signaling in leukemia cells through dephosphorylation of CBL and will likely establish PRL2 as a novel druggable target for AML.

Nore1 inhibits age-associated myeloid lineage skewing and clonal hematopoiesis but facilitates termination of emergency (stress) granulopoiesis.

Age-associated bone marrow changes include myeloid skewing and mutations that lead to clonal hematopoiesis. Molecular mechanisms for these events are ill defined, but decreased expression of Irf8/Icsbp (interferon regulatory factor 8/interferon consensus sequence binding protein) in aging hematopoietic stem cells may contribute. Irf8 functions as a leukemia suppressor for chronic myeloid leukemia, and young Irf8-/- mice have neutrophilia with progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with aging. Irf8 is also required to terminate emergency granulopoiesis during the innate immune response, suggesting this may be the physiologic counterpart to leukemia suppression by this transcription factor. Identifying Irf8 effectors may define mediators of both events and thus contributors to age-related bone marrow disorders. In this study, we identified RASSF5 (encoding Nore1) as an Irf8 target gene and investigated the role of Nore1 in hematopoiesis. We found Irf8 activates RASSF5 transcription and increases Nore1a expression during emergency granulopoiesis. Similar to Irf8-/- mice, we found that young Rassf5-/- mice had increased neutrophils and progressed to AML with aging. We identified enhanced DNA damage, excess clonal hematopoiesis, and a distinct mutation profile in hematopoietic stem cells from aging Rassf5-/- mice compared with wildtype. We found sustained emergency granulopoiesis in Rassf5-/- mice, with repeated episodes accelerating AML, also similar to Irf8-/- mice. Identifying Nore1a downstream from Irf8 defines a pathway involved in leukemia suppression and the innate immune response and suggests a novel molecular mechanism contributing to age-related clonal myeloid disorders.

Assessment of a Simplified Cell-Free DNA Method for Prenatal Down Syndrome Screening.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal screening for common trisomies via cell-free (cfDNA) is usually implemented by technologies utilizing massively parallel sequencing, stringent environmental controls, complex bioinformatics, and molecular expertise. An alternative and less complex methodology utilizes rolling circle amplification (RCA). Further evaluation of its performance and related requirements are warranted. METHODS: At 16 sites, women at 10 to 20 weeks gestation provided informed consent, relevant information, and 2 to 3 blood samples. Samples shipped for testing were processed and stored. Women were enrolled at primary cfDNA screening, or following such screening at referral for diagnostic testing. RCA testing occurred post-enrollment, over 11 months. Diagnostic results and delivery notes determined clinical truth. Detection rates were based on confirmed trisomic pregnancies; false-positive rates were based on unaffected pregnancies from the general population. RESULTS: Detection rate for the common trisomies was 95.9% (117/122, 95% CI, 90.5%-98.5%); overall false-positive rate was 1.00% (22/2,205, 0.65%-1.51%). Test failure rate after repeat testing was 0.04%. When assay standard deviations were below pre-specified levels, the overall false-positive rate was much lower at 0.30% (P < 0.001). Fetal sex calls were correct for 99.7%. One technician analyzed 560 samples over 2 weeks, a rate of 14 000/year. CONCLUSIONS: Our assessment of this simplified cfDNA-based system for prenatal screening for common trisomies performed in a prenatal screening laboratory is encouraging. Improved detection, low failure rates and rapid reporting can be achieved by collecting 2 samples. Future priorities should include achieving higher run precision using a single collection tube. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03087357.

An aberrantly sustained emergency granulopoiesis response accelerates postchemotherapy relapse in MLL1-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia in mice.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1) gene rearrangement is characterized by increased expression of a set of homeodomain transcription factors, including homeobox A9 (HOXA9) and HOXA10. The target genes for these regulators include fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and Ariadne RBR E3 ubiquitin ligase 2 (ARIH2). FGF2 induces leukemia stem cell expansion in MLL1-rearranged AML. ARIH2 encodes TRIAD1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase required for termination of emergency granulopoiesis and leukemia suppressor function in MLL1-rearranged AML. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including the FGF receptor, are TRIAD1 substrates that are possibly relevant to these activities. Using transcriptome analysis, we found increased activity of innate immune response pathways and RTK signaling in bone marrow progenitors from mice with MLL1-rearranged AML. We hypothesized that sustained RTK signaling, because of decreased TRIAD1 activity, impairs termination of emergency granulopoiesis during the innate immune response and contributes to leukemogenesis in this AML subtype. Consistent with this, we found aberrantly sustained emergency granulopoiesis in a murine model of MLL1-rearranged AML, associated with accelerated leukemogenesis. Treating these mice with an inhibitor of TRIAD1-substrate RTKs terminated emergency granulopoiesis, delayed leukemogenesis during emergency granulopoiesis, and normalized innate immune responses when combined with chemotherapy. Emergency granulopoiesis also hastened postchemotherapy relapse in mice with MLL1-rearranged AML, but remission was sustained by ongoing RTK inhibition. Our findings suggest that the physiological stress of infectious challenges may drive AML progression in molecularly defined subsets and identify RTK inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach to counteract this process.

Identification and targeting of novel CDK9 complexes in acute myeloid leukemia.

Aberrant activation of mTOR signaling in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) results in a survival advantage that promotes the malignant phenotype. To improve our understanding of factors that contribute to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling activation and identify novel therapeutic targets, we searched for unique interactors of mTOR complexes through proteomics analyses. We identify cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) as a novel binding partner of the mTOR complex scaffold protein, mLST8. Our studies demonstrate that CDK9 is present in distinct mTOR-like (CTOR) complexes in the cytoplasm and nucleus. In the nucleus, CDK9 binds to RAPTOR and mLST8, forming CTORC1, to promote transcription of genes important for leukemogenesis. In the cytoplasm, CDK9 binds to RICTOR, SIN1, and mLST8, forming CTORC2, and controls messenger RNA (mRNA) translation through phosphorylation of LARP1 and rpS6. Pharmacological targeting of CTORC complexes results in suppression of growth of primitive human AML progenitors in vitro and elicits strong antileukemic responses in AML xenografts in vivo.

Analysis of serum HE4 levels in various histologic subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer and other malignant tumors.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of serum HE4 levels has emerged as a sensitive and specific biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs). However, serum levels in women diagnosed with various histologic subtypes of EOC and in women with metastatic non-ovarian primary malignancies have not been widely reported. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to identify how serum HE4 levels vary in women diagnosed with different histologic subtypes of EOC and non-ovarian malignancies. METHODS: Data from six prospective pelvic mass clinical trials was combined and an evaluation of serum HE4 levels in women diagnosed with a malignancy was performed. For all patients, serum was obtained prior to surgery and final pathology, including primary tumor site, histologic subtype, grade and stage, were recorded. The mean, median, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum HE4 levels were determined for each group. RESULTS: A total of 984 patients were included in this study, with the average patient age being 60 years old. There were 230 premenopausal and 754 postmenopausal patients. Serum HE4 levels were elevated (≥70.0 pMol) in 85%of EOCs, 40%of LMP tumors, 21%of non-EOCs (germ cell tumors), 25%of cervical cancers, and 47%of non-gynecologic metastatic cancers. Analysis of histologic subtypes revealed 90%(n = 391) of serous, 85%(n = 73) of endometrioid, 45%(n = 42) of mucinous, 86%(n = 51) of mixed tumors, and 69%(n = 36) of clear cell tumors had elevated serum HE4 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Serum HE4 levels are most often elevated in women with high grade serous and endometrioid EOCs, and though serum elevations are seen more often with advanced stage disease, HE4 is also often elevated in early stage disease and lower grade tumors.

TP53 Haploinsufficiency Rescues Emergency Granulopoiesis in FANCC-/- Mice.

Emergency (stress) granulopoiesis is an episodic process for the production of granulocytes in response to infectious challenge. We previously determined that Fanconi C, a component of the Fanconi DNA-repair pathway, is necessary for successful emergency granulopoiesis. Fanconi anemia results from mutation of any gene in this pathway and is characterized by bone marrow failure (BMF) in childhood and clonal progression in adolescence. Although murine Fanconi anemia models exhibit relatively normal steady-state hematopoiesis, FANCC-/- mice are unable to mount an emergency granulopoiesis response. Instead, these mice develop BMF and die during repeated unsuccessful emergency granulopoiesis attempts. In FANCC-/- mice, BMF is associated with extensive apoptosis of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells through an undefined mechanism. In this study, we find that TP53 haploinsufficiency completely rescues emergency granulopoiesis in FANCC-/- mice and protects them from BMF during repeated emergency granulopoiesis episodes. Instead, such recurrent challenges accelerated clonal progression in FANCC-/-TP53+/- mice. In FANCC-/- mice, BMF during multiple emergency granulopoiesis attempts was associated with increased ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (Atr) and p53 activation with each attempt. In contrast, we found progressive attenuation of expression and activity of Atr, and consequent p53 activation and apoptosis, in the bone marrow of FANCC-/-TP53+/- mice during this process. Therefore, activation of Atr-with consequent Fanconi-mediated DNA repair or p53-dependent apoptosis-is an essential component of emergency granulopoiesis and it protects the bone marrow from genotoxic stress during this process.

Stat3 and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein ß (C/ebpß) activate Fanconi C gene transcription during emergency granulopoiesis.

Interferon consensus sequence-binding protein (Icsbp) is required for terminating emergency granulopoiesis, an episodic event responsible for granulocyte production in response to infections and a key component of the innate immune response. Icsbp inhibits the expression of Stat3 and C/ebpß, transcription factors essential for initiating and sustaining granulopoiesis, and activates transcription of Fanconi C (FANCC), a DNA repair protein. In prior studies, we noted accelerated bone marrow failure in Fancc-/- mice undergoing multiple episodes of emergency granulopoiesis, associated with apoptosis of bone marrow cells with unrepaired DNA damage. Additionally, we found increased expression of Fanconi C and F proteins during emergency granulopoiesis. These findings suggest that Icsbp protects the bone marrow from DNA damage by increasing activity of the Fanconi DNA repair pathway, but the mechanisms for FANCC activation during initiation of emergency granulopoiesis are unclear. In this study, we observed that Stat3 and C/ebpß activate FANCC transcription and contribute to DNA repair. Our findings indicate that FancC expression is increased during Stat3- and C/ebpß-induced initiation of emergency granulopoiesis by these transcription factors and is maintained through termination by Icsbp. Our work reveals that Stat3- and C/ebpß-mediated FancC expression is a critical component for initiating and sustaining key innate immune responses.

Multiple biomarker algorithms to predict epithelial ovarian cancer in women with a pelvic mass: Can additional makers improve performance?

INTRODUCTION: Management of a woman with a pelvic mass is complicated by difficulty in discriminating malignant from benign disease. Many serum biomarkers have been examined to determine their sensitivity for detecting malignancy. This study was designed to evaluate if the addition of biomarkers to HE4 and CA125, as used in the Risk of Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA), can improve the detection of EOC. METHODS: This was an IRB approved, prospective clinical trial examining serum obtained from women diagnosed with a pelvic mass who subsequently underwent surgery. Serum biomarker levels for CA125, HE4, YKL-40, transthyretin, ApoA1, Beta-2-microglobulin, transferrin, and LPA were measured. Logistic regression analysis was performed for various marker combinations, ROC curves were generated, and the area under the curves (AUCs) were determined. RESULTS: A total of 184 patients met inclusion criteria with a median age of 56 years (Range 20-91). Final pathology revealed there were 103 (56.0%) benign tumors, 4 (2.2%) LMP tumors, 61 EOC (33.1%), 2 (1.1%) non-EOC ovarian cancers, 6 (3.3%) gynecologic cancers with metastasis to the ovary and 8 (4.3%) non-gynecologic cancers with metastasis to the ovary. The combination of HE4 and CA125 (i.e. ROMA) achieved an AUC of 91.2% (95% CI: 86.0-96.4) for the detection of EOC vs benign disease. The combination of CA125, HE4, YKL-40, transthyretin, ApoA1, Beta 2 microglobulin, transferrin, LPA and menopausal status achieved the highest AUC of 94.6% (95% CI: 90.1-99.2) but this combination was not significantly better than the HE4 and CA125 combination alone (p = 0.078). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of select further serum biomarkers to HE4 and CA125 does not add to the performance of the dual marker combination for the detection of ovarian cancer.

Central Regulatory Role for SIN1 in Interferon γ (IFNγ) Signaling and Generation of Biological Responses.

The precise signaling mechanisms by which type II IFN receptors control expression of unique genes to induce biological responses remain to be established. We provide evidence that Sin1, a known element of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2), is required for IFNγ-induced phosphorylation and activation of AKT and that such activation mediates downstream regulation of mTORC1 and its effectors. These events play important roles in the assembly of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) and mRNA translation of IFN-stimulated genes. Interestingly, IFNγ-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 is reduced in cells with targeted disruption of Sin1, leading to decreased transcription of several IFNγ-inducible genes in an mTORC2-independent manner. Additionally, our studies establish that Sin1 is essential for generation of type II IFN-dependent antiviral effects and antiproliferative responses in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Together, our findings establish an important role for Sin1 in both transcription and translation of IFN-stimulated genes and type II IFN-mediated biological responses, involving both mTORC2-dependent and -independent functions.

Oxidative and carbonyl stress in pregnant women with obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to sleep-disordered breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in pregnancy is associated with poor pregnancy and fetal outcomes. Oxidative stress caused by intermittent hypoxemia and reoxygenation may impact pregnancy health. We hypothesize that pregnant women with OSA have a pronounced oxidative stress profile. METHODS: A case-control study was performed to study oxidative stress markers in the serum of pregnant women with or without OSA. Patients with OSA were identified between 2003 and 2009. Contemporaneous controls were pregnant subjects without apnea, gasping, or snoring around the time of delivery. Serum markers of oxidative and carbonyl stress were measured by spectrophotometric/fluorometric methods. Multiple linear regression analysis was used with a model including age, body mass index at delivery, history of diabetes, and gestational age. RESULTS: Serum samples from 23 OSA cases and 41 controls were identified. Advanced oxidation protein products, a marker for oxidative stress, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a marker for carbonyl stress, were significantly lower in women with OSA than in controls (p value <0.0001). Total antioxidant capacity was higher in women with OSA in comparison to controls (p value <0.0001). The difference in AGEs remained significant even after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: Contrary to our hypothesis, the results of this study suggest that pregnant women with OSA have higher antioxidant capacity and lower oxidative and carbonyl stress markers compared to controls, suggesting a possible protective effect of intermittent hypoxia. Whether OSA in pregnancy impacts oxidative stress differently than OSA in the general population remains to be confirmed.

The Interferon Consensus Sequence Binding Protein (Icsbp/Irf8) Is Required for Termination of Emergency Granulopoiesis.

Emergency granulopoiesis occurs in response to infectious or inflammatory challenge and is a component of the innate immune response. Some molecular events involved in initiating emergency granulopoiesis are known, but termination of this process is less well defined. In this study, we found that the interferon consensus sequence binding protein (Icsbp/Irf8) was required to terminate emergency granulopoiesis. Icsbp is an interferon regulatory transcription factor with leukemia suppressor activity. Expression of Icsbp is decreased in chronic myeloid leukemia, and Icsbp(-/-) mice exhibit progressive granulocytosis with evolution to blast crisis, similar to the course of human chronic myeloid leukemia. In this study, we found aberrantly sustained granulocyte production in Icsbp(-/-) mice after stimulation of an emergency granulopoiesis response. Icsbp represses transcription of the genes encoding Fas-associated phosphatase 1 (Fap1) and growth arrest-specific 2 (Gas2) and activates genes encoding Fanconi C and F. After stimulation of emergency granulopoiesis, we found increased and sustained expression of Fap1 and Gas2 in bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells from Icsbp(-/-) mice in comparison with the wild type. This was associated with resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis and increased ß-catenin activity in these cells. We also found that repeated episodes of emergency granulopoiesis accelerated progression to acute myeloid leukemia in Icsbp(-/-) mice. This was associated with impaired Fanconi C and F expression and increased sensitivity to DNA damage in bone marrow myeloid progenitors. Our results suggest that impaired Icsbp expression enhances leukemogenesis by deregulating processes that normally limit granulocyte expansion during the innate immune response.

The clinical utility of DNA-based screening for fetal aneuploidy by primary obstetrical care providers in the general pregnancy population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical utility of cell-free DNA (cfDNA)-based screening for aneuploidies offered through primary obstetrical care providers to a general pregnancy population. METHODS: Patient educational materials were developed and validated and providers were trained. Serum was collected for reflexive testing of cfDNA failures. Providers and patients were surveyed concerning knowledge, decision making, and satisfaction. Pregnancy outcome was determined by active or passive ascertainment. RESULTS: Between September 2014 and July 2015, 72 providers screened 2,691 women. The five largest participating practices increased uptake by 8 to 40%. Among 2,681 reports, 16 women (0.6%) were screen-positive for trisomy 21, 18, or 13; all saw genetic professionals. Twelve were confirmed (positive predictive value (PPV), 75%; 95% CI, 48-93%) and four were false-positives (0.15%). Of 150 failures (5.6%), 79% had a negative serum or subsequent cfDNA test; no aneuploidies were identified. Of 100 women surveyed, 99 understood that testing was optional, 96 had their questions answered, and 95 received sufficient information. Pretest information was provided by the physician/certified nurse midwife (55) or office nurse/educator (40); none was provided by genetic professionals. CONCLUSION: This first clinical utility study of cfDNA screening found higher uptake rates, patient understanding of basic concepts, and easy incorporation into routine obstetrical practices. There were no reported cases of aneuploidy among cfDNA test failures.Genet Med advance online publication 12 January 2017.

Assessment of serum HE4 levels throughout the normal menstrual cycle.

BACKGROUND: Human epididymis protein 4 is a serum biomarker to aid in differentiating benign and malignant disease in women with a pelvic mass. Interpretation of human epididymis protein 4 results relies on robust normative data. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether human epididymis protein 4 levels are variable in women during the normal menstrual cycle. STUDY DESIGN: Healthy women, 18-45 years old, with regular menstrual cycles were recruited from community gynecologic practices in Rhode Island. Women consented to enroll and to participate by the donation of blood and urine samples at 5 specific times over the course of each cycle. Levels of reproductive hormones and human epididymis protein 4 were determined. Data were analyzed with the use of linear regression after log transformation. RESULTS: Among 74 enrolled cycles, 53 women had confirmed ovulation during the menstrual cycle and completed all 5 sample collections. Levels of estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone displayed the expected menstrual cycle patterns. Levels of human epididymis protein 4 in serum were relatively stable across the menstrual cycle, except for a small ovulatory (median, 37.0 pM) increase. Levels of human epididymis protein 4 in urine, after correction for creatinine, displayed the same pattern of secretion observed in serum. CONCLUSION: Serum human epididymis protein 4 levels are relatively stable across the menstrual cycle of reproductive-aged women and can be determined on any day to evaluate risk of ovarian malignancy. A slight increase is expected at ovulation; but even with this higher human epididymis protein 4 level, results are well within the healthy reference range for women (<120 pM). Levels of human epididymis protein 4 in urine warrant further investigation for use in clinical practice as a simple and convenient sample.

HoxA10 Terminates Emergency Granulopoiesis by Increasing Expression of Triad1.

Expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Triad1 is greater in mature granulocytes than in myeloid progenitor cells. HoxA10 actives transcription of the gene encoding Triad1 (ARIH2) during myeloid differentiation, but the contribution of increased Triad1 expression to granulocyte production or function is unknown. Mice with bone marrow-specific disruption of the ARIH2 gene exhibit constitutive inflammation with tissue infiltration by granulocytes and B cells. In contrast, disruption of the HOXA10 gene in mice neither constitutively activates the innate immune response nor significantly alters steady-state granulopoiesis. This study explores the impact of HoxA10-induced Triad1 expression on emergency (stress) granulopoiesis. We found that mice with HOXA10 gene disruption exhibited an overwhelming and fatal emergency granulopoiesis response that was characterized by tissue infiltration with granulocytes, but reversed by re-expression of Triad1 in the bone marrow. We determined that HoxA9 repressed ARIH2 transcription in myeloid progenitor cells, antagonizing the effect of HoxA10 on Triad1 expression. Also, we found that differentiation-stage-specific ARIH2 transcription was regulated by the tyrosine phosphorylation states of HoxA9 and HoxA10. Our studies demonstrate a previously undescribed role for HoxA10 in terminating emergency granulopoiesis, suggesting an important contribution by Hox proteins to the innate immune response.

Regulatory effects of SKAR in interferon α signaling and its role in the generation of type I IFN responses.

We provide evidence that S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) Aly/REF-like target (SKAR) is engaged in IFN-α signaling and plays a key role in the generation of IFN responses. Our data demonstrate that IFN-α induces phosphorylation of SKAR, which is mediated by either the p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RSK) or p70 S6 kinase (S6K1), in a cell type-specific manner. This type I IFN-inducible phosphorylation of SKAR results in enhanced interaction with the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4G and recruitment of activated RSK1 to 5' cap mRNA. Our studies also establish that SKAR is present in cap-binding CBP80 immune complexes and that this interaction is mediated by eIF4G. We demonstrate that inducible protein expression of key IFN-α-regulated protein products such as ISG15 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) requires SKAR activity. Importantly, our studies define a requirement for SKAR in the generation of IFN-α-dependent inhibitory effects on malignant hematopoietic progenitors from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia or myeloproliferative neoplasms. Taken altogether, these findings establish critical and essential roles for SKAR in the regulation of mRNA translation of IFN-sensitive genes and induction of IFN-α biological responses.

Hoxa10 null animals exhibit reduced platelet biogenesis.

The transcription factor HOXA10 is an important regulator of myelopoiesis. Engineered over-expression of Hoxa10 in mice results in a myeloproliferative disorder that progresses to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) over time, and in humans over-expression is associated with poor outcomes in AML. Here, we report that loss of Hoxa10 expression in mice results in reduced platelet count and platelet production, but does not affect clotting efficiency. About 40% fewer platelets were found in Hoxa10 null animals in comparison to wild type littermates. We found a nearly 50% reduction in the percentage of reticulated platelets in Hoxa10 null mice, suggesting deficient platelet production. Furthermore, Hoxa10 null animals recovered less efficiently from induced thrombocytopenia, supporting our hypothesis of defective platelet production. This also correlated with reduced colony formation potential of stem and progenitor cells seeded in megakaryocyte-enhancing conditions in vitro. Together, our results indicate that HOXA10 is important for megakaryopoiesis and platelet biogenesis.

Targeting novel signaling pathways for resistant acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy that is the most common type of acute leukemia diagnosed in adults and the second most common type in children. The overall survival is poor and treatment is associated with significant complications and even death. In addition, a significant number of patients will not respond to therapy or relapse. In this review, several new signaling proteins aberrantly regulated in AML are described, including CREB, Triad1, Bcl-2 family members, Stat3, and mTOR/MEK. Identifying more effective and less toxic agents will provide novel approaches to treat AML.

Evaluating first trimester maternal serum screening combinations for Down syndrome suitable for use with reflexive secondary screening via sequencing of cell free DNA: high detection with low rates of invasive procedures.

OBJECTIVES: Examine primary Down syndrome screening using combinations of first trimester serum markers, with and without sequencing of cell free DNA as a secondary reflexive test. METHODS: Samples from 40 Down syndrome cases were matched with five control samples and tested for PAPP-A, free ß, AFP, inhibin-A and PlGF. Results were converted to weight-adjusted multiples of the median (MoM) and population parameters computed. Monte Carlo simulation modeled Down syndrome detection and false positive rates for various marker combinations. After reflexive DNA testing, the revised detection and false positive rates were also computed. RESULTS: At a primary false positive rate of 20%, the baseline combination (maternal age, PAPP-A and free ß) detected 86.9%. Adding AFP or PlGF increased detection to 89.8% and 89.5%, respectively. Adding AFP and PlGF, AFP and inhibin-A, or all three markers, detected 93.7%, 94.1% and 95.5%, respectively. Modeling reflexive cf DNA testing results in little loss in detection (1%), but false positive rates fall to 0.2%. CONCLUSION: First trimester reflexive testing does not require nuchal translucency measurements, and has high detection and very low rates of invasive procedures. However, timing of DNA sample collection and the costs of sample collection and DNA testing need to be considered before implementation.

Fas-associated phosphatase 1 (Fap1) influences ßcatenin activity in myeloid progenitor cells expressing the Bcr-abl oncogene.

Increased ßcatenin activity correlates with leukemia stem cell expansion and disease progression in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We found previously that expression of the CML-related Bcr-abl oncoprotein in myeloid progenitor cells increases expression of Fas-associated phosphatase 1 (Fap1). This resulted in Fap1-dependent resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis in these cells. Fap1 also interacts with the adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) protein, but the functional significance of this interaction is unknown. Apc participates in a complex that includes glycogen synthase kinase ß (Gsk3ß) and ßcatenin. Assembly of this complex results in phosphorylation of ßcatenin by Gsk3ß, which facilitates ßcatenin ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome. In this study, we found increased association of Fap1 with the Apc complex in Bcr-abl(+) myeloid progenitor cells. We also found Fap1-dependent inactivation of Gsk3ß and consequent stabilization of ßcatenin in these cells. Consistent with this, Bcr-abl(+) cells exhibited a Fap1-dependent increase in ßcatenin activity. Our studies identified Fap1-dependent Gsk3ß inactivation as a molecular mechanism for increased ßcatenin activity in CML.