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1.
Res Sq ; 2024 May 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38854072

ABSTRACT

B-lymphocytes play major adaptive immune roles, producing antibody and driving T-cell responses. However, how immunometabolism networks support B-cell activation and differentiation in response to distinct receptor stimuli remains incompletely understood. To gain insights, we systematically investigated acute primary human B-cell transcriptional, translational and metabolomic responses to B-cell receptor (BCR), Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), CD40-ligand (CD40L), interleukin-4 (IL4) or combinations thereof. T-independent BCR/TLR9 co-stimulation, which drives malignant and autoimmune B-cell states, jointly induced PD-L1 plasma membrane expression, supported by NAD metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. BCR/TLR9 also highly induced the transaminase BCAT1, which localized to lysosomal membranes to support branched chain amino acid synthesis and mTORC1 hyperactivation. BCAT1 inhibition blunted BCR/TLR9, but not CD40L/IL4-triggered B-cell proliferation, IL10 expression and BCR/TLR pathway-driven lymphoma xenograft outgrowth. These results provide a valuable resource, reveal receptor-mediated immunometabolism remodeling to support key B-cell phenotypes including PD-L1 checkpoint signaling, and identify BCAT1 as a novel B-cell therapeutic target.

2.
Cancer Sci ; 2024 Jun 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38888105

ABSTRACT

Multiple epigenetic regulatory mechanisms exert critical roles in tumor development, and understanding the interactions and impact of diverse epigenetic modifications on gene expression in cancer is crucial for the development of precision medicine. We found that methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) was significantly downregulated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues. Functional experiments demonstrated that overexpression of METTL14 inhibited the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells both in vivo and in vitro, and the colorimetric m6A quantification assay also showed that knockdown of METTL14 notably reduced global m6A modification levels in NSCLC cells. By using the methylated-RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR and dual-luciferase reporter assays, we verified that long noncoding RNA LINC02747 was a target of METTL14 and was regulated by METTL14-mediated m6A modification, and silencing LINC02747 inhibited the malignant progression of NSCLC by modulating the PI3K/Akt and CDK4/Cyclin D1 signaling pathway. Further studies revealed that overexpression of METTL14 promoted m6A methylation and accelerated the decay of LINC02747 mRNA via increased recognition of the "GAACU" binding site by YTHDC2. Additionally, histone demethylase lysine-specific histone demethylase 5B (KDM5B) mediated the demethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 tri-methylation (H3K4me3) in the METTL14 promoter region and repressed its transcription. In summary, KDM5B downregulated METTL14 expression at the transcriptional level in a H3K4me3-dependent manner, while METTL14 modulated LINC02747 expression via m6A modification. Our results demonstrate a synergy of multiple mechanisms in regulating the malignant phenotype of NSCLC, revealing the complex regulation involved in the occurrence and development of cancer.

3.
Mol Cancer Ther ; 23(7): 949-960, 2024 Jul 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38507740

ABSTRACT

The activated B cell (ABC) subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is characterized by chronic B-cell receptor signaling and associated with poor outcomes when treated with standard therapy. In ABC-DLBCL, MALT1 is a core enzyme that is constitutively activated by stimulation of the B-cell receptor or gain-of-function mutations in upstream components of the signaling pathway, making it an attractive therapeutic target. We discovered a novel small-molecule inhibitor, ABBV-MALT1, that potently shuts down B-cell signaling selectively in ABC-DLBCL preclinical models leading to potent cell growth and xenograft inhibition. We also identified a rational combination partner for ABBV-MALT1 in the BCL2 inhibitor, venetoclax, which when combined significantly synergizes to elicit deep and durable responses in preclinical models. This work highlights the potential of ABBV-MALT1 monotherapy and combination with venetoclax as effective treatment options for patients with ABC-DLBCL.


Subject(s)
Drug Synergism , Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein/antagonists & inhibitors , Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein/metabolism , Humans , Animals , Mice , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/antagonists & inhibitors , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , Sulfonamides/therapeutic use , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Disease Models, Animal
4.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 363, 2024 Mar 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38521877

ABSTRACT

The placenta is a unique organ for ensuring normal embryonic growth in the uterine. Here, we found that maternal RNA transcription in Dlk1-Dio3 imprinted domain is essential for placentation. PolyA signals were inserted into Gtl2 to establish a mouse model to prevent the expression of maternal RNAs in the domain. The maternal allele knock-in (MKI) and homozygous (HOMO) placentas showed an expanded junctional zone, reduced labyrinth and poor vasculature impacting both fetal and maternal blood spaces. The MKI and HOMO models displayed dysregulated gene expression in the Dlk1-Dio3 domain. In situ hybridization detected Dlk1, Gtl2, Rtl1, miR-127 and Rian dysregulated in the labyrinth vasculature. MKI and HOMO induced Dlk1 to lose imprinting, and DNA methylation changes of IG-DMR and Gtl2-DMR, leading to abnormal gene expression, while the above changes didn't occur in paternal allele knock-in placentas. These findings demonstrate that maternal RNAs in the Dlk1-Dio3 domain are involved in placental vasculature, regulating gene expression, imprinting status and DNA methylation.


Subject(s)
Calcium-Binding Proteins , Genomic Imprinting , RNA, Long Noncoding , Animals , Female , Mice , Pregnancy , Calcium-Binding Proteins/genetics , Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Placenta/metabolism , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
5.
Cancer Cell ; 42(4): 605-622.e11, 2024 Apr 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38458188

ABSTRACT

SMARCA4 encodes one of two mutually exclusive ATPase subunits in the BRG/BRM associated factor (BAF) complex that is recruited by transcription factors (TFs) to drive chromatin accessibility and transcriptional activation. SMARCA4 is among the most recurrently mutated genes in human cancer, including ∼30% of germinal center (GC)-derived Burkitt lymphomas. In mice, GC-specific Smarca4 haploinsufficiency cooperated with MYC over-expression to drive lymphomagenesis. Furthermore, monoallelic Smarca4 deletion drove GC hyperplasia with centroblast polarization via significantly increased rates of centrocyte recycling to the dark zone. Mechanistically, Smarca4 loss reduced the activity of TFs that are activated in centrocytes to drive GC-exit, including SPI1 (PU.1), IRF family, and NF-κB. Loss of activity for these factors phenocopied aberrant BCL6 activity within murine centrocytes and human Burkitt lymphoma cells. SMARCA4 therefore facilitates chromatin accessibility for TFs that shape centrocyte trajectories, and loss of fine-control of these programs biases toward centroblast cell-fate, GC hyperplasia and lymphoma.


Subject(s)
Haploinsufficiency , Lymphoma, B-Cell , Animals , Humans , Mice , Chromatin , DNA Helicases/genetics , Hyperplasia , Lymphoma, B-Cell/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Transcription Factors/genetics
6.
bioRxiv ; 2023 Oct 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37961702

ABSTRACT

Protein kinases are disease drivers whose therapeutic targeting traditionally centers on inhibition of enzymatic activity. Here chemically induced proximity is leveraged to convert kinase inhibitors into context-specific activators of therapeutic genes. Bivalent molecules that link ligands of the transcription factor B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) to ATP-competitive inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) were developed to re-localize CDK to BCL6-bound loci on chromatin and direct phosphorylation of RNA Pol II. The resulting BCL6-target proapoptotic gene expression translated into killing of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells at 72 h with EC50s of 0.9 - 10 nM and highly specific ablation of the BCL6-regulated germinal center response in mice. The molecules exhibited 10,000-fold lower cytotoxicity in normal lymphocytes and are well tolerated in mice. Genomic and proteomic evidence corroborated a gain-of-function mechanism where, instead of global enzyme inhibition, a fraction of total kinase activity is borrowed and re-localized to BCL6-bound loci. The strategy demonstrates how kinase inhibitors can be used to context-specifically activate transcription, accessing new therapeutic space.

7.
J Immunother Cancer ; 11(11)2023 11 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38007239

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting CD19 mediate potent and durable effects in B-cell malignancies. However, antigen loss or downregulation is a frequent cause of resistance. Here, we report development of a novel CAR T-cell therapy product to target CD79b, a pan B-cell antigen, widely expressed in most B-cell lymphomas. METHODS: We generated a novel anti-CD79b monoclonal antibody by hybridoma method. The specificity of the antibody was determined by testing against isogenic cell lines with human CD79b knock-in or knock-out. A single-chain variable fragment derived from the monoclonal antibody was used to make a panel of CD79b-targeting CAR molecules containing various hinge, transmembrane, and co-stimulatory domains. These were lentivirally transduced into primary T cells and tested for antitumor activity in in vitro and in vivo B-cell lymphoma models. RESULTS: We found that the novel anti-CD79b monoclonal antibody was highly specific and bound only to human CD79b and no other cell surface protein. In testing the various CD79b-targeting CAR molecules, superior antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo was found for a CAR consisting CD8α hinge and transmembrane domains, an OX40 co-stimulatory domain, and a CD3ζ signaling domain. This CD79b CAR specifically recognized human CD79b-expressing lymphoma cell lines but not CD79b knock-out cell lines. CD79b CAR T cells, generated from T cells from either healthy donors or patients with lymphoma, proliferated, produced cytokines, degranulated, and exhibited robust cytotoxic activity in vitro against CD19+ and CD19- lymphoma cell lines and patient-derived lymphoma tumors relapsing after prior CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. Furthermore, CD79b CAR T cells were highly efficient at eradicating pre-established lymphoma tumors in vivo in three aggressive lymphoma xenograft models, including two cell line-derived xenografts and one patient-derived xenograft. Notably, these CAR T cells did not demonstrate any significant tonic signaling activity or markers of exhaustion. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that this novel CD79b CAR T-cell therapy product has robust antitumor activity against B-cell lymphomas. These results supported initiation of a phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate this product in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas.


Subject(s)
Lymphoma, B-Cell , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Humans , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy , Lymphoma, B-Cell/drug therapy , T-Lymphocytes , Antibodies, Monoclonal/metabolism
9.
Cell Rep Med ; 4(8): 101158, 2023 08 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37586321

ABSTRACT

Autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy is highly effective in relapsed/refractory large B cell lymphoma (rrLBCL) but is associated with toxicities that delay recovery. While the biological mechanisms of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity have been investigated, the pathophysiology is poorly understood for prolonged cytopenia, defined as grade ≥3 cytopenia lasting beyond 30 days after CAR T infusion. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of bone marrow samples from healthy donors and rrLBCL patients with or without prolonged cytopenia and identified significantly increased frequencies of clonally expanded CX3CR1hi cytotoxic T cells, expressing high interferon (IFN)-γ and cytokine signaling gene sets, associated with prolonged cytopenia. In line with this, we found that hematopoietic stem cells from these patients expressed IFN-γ response signatures. IFN-γ deregulates hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation and can be targeted with thrombopoietin agonists or IFN-γ-neutralizing antibodies, highlighting a potential mechanism-based approach for the treatment of CAR T-associated prolonged cytopenia.


Subject(s)
Lymphoma, B-Cell , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Humans , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Bone Marrow , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Antigens, CD19 , Interferon-gamma
10.
Nature ; 620(7973): 417-425, 2023 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37495688

ABSTRACT

Genes that drive the proliferation, survival, invasion and metastasis of malignant cells have been identified for many human cancers1-4. Independent studies have identified cell death pathways that eliminate cells for the good of the organism5,6. The coexistence of cell death pathways with driver mutations suggests that the cancer driver could be rewired to activate cell death using chemical inducers of proximity (CIPs). Here we describe a new class of molecules called transcriptional/epigenetic CIPs (TCIPs) that recruit the endogenous cancer driver, or a downstream transcription factor, to the promoters of cell death genes, thereby activating their expression. We focused on diffuse large B cell lymphoma, in which the transcription factor B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) is deregulated7. BCL6 binds to the promoters of cell death genes and epigenetically suppresses their expression8. We produced TCIPs by covalently linking small molecules that bind BCL6 to those that bind to transcriptional activators that contribute to the oncogenic program, such as BRD4. The most potent molecule, TCIP1, increases binding of BRD4 by 50% over genomic BCL6-binding sites to produce transcriptional elongation at pro-apoptotic target genes within 15 min, while reducing binding of BRD4 over enhancers by only 10%, reflecting a gain-of-function mechanism. TCIP1 kills diffuse large B cell lymphoma cell lines, including chemotherapy-resistant, TP53-mutant lines, at EC50 of 1-10 nM in 72 h and exhibits cell-specific and tissue-specific effects, capturing the combinatorial specificity inherent to transcription. The TCIP concept also has therapeutic applications in regulating the expression of genes for regenerative medicine and developmental disorders.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Transcription Factors , Humans , Apoptosis/drug effects , Apoptosis/genetics , Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/metabolism , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Carcinogenesis/drug effects , Carcinogenesis/genetics
11.
Blood Cancer Discov ; 3(5): 428-443, 2022 09 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35687817

ABSTRACT

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a B-cell malignancy with a complex tumor microenvironment that is rich in nonmalignant immune cells. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the diverse tumor and immune cell populations of FL and identified major phenotypic subsets of FL T cells, including a cytotoxic CD4 T-cell population. We characterized four major FL subtypes with differential representation or relative depletion of distinct T-cell subsets. By integrating exome sequencing, we observed that somatic mutations are associated with, but not definitive for, reduced MHC expression on FL cells. In turn, expression of MHCII genes by FL cells was associated with significant differences in the proportions and targetable immunophenotypic characteristics of T cells. This provides a classification framework of the FL microenvironment in association with FL genotypes and MHC expression, and informs different potential immunotherapeutic strategies based upon tumor cell MHCII expression. SIGNIFICANCE: We have characterized the FL-infiltrating T cells, identified cytotoxic CD4 T cells as an important component that is associated with tumor cell-intrinsic characteristics, and identified sets of targetable immune checkpoints on T cells that differed from FLs with normal versus low MHC expression. See related commentary by Melnick, p. 374. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 369.


Subject(s)
Lymphoma, Follicular , Humans , Immunophenotyping , Lymphoma, Follicular/genetics , Mutation , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
12.
Blood ; 140(5): 504-515, 2022 08 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35512184

ABSTRACT

Patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas (rrLBCL) can achieve long-term remission after CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CART19). However, more than half of recipients will experience treatment failure. Thus, approaches are needed to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from alternative or consolidative therapy. We evaluated low-pass whole-genome sequencing (lpWGS) of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) before CART19 as a new approach for risk stratification. We performed lpWGS on pretreatment plasma samples from 122 patients at time of leukapheresis who received standard-of-care CART19 for rrLBCL to define DNA copy number alterations (CNAs). In multivariable selection, high focal CNA score (FCS) denoting genomic instability was the most significant pretreatment variable associated with inferior 3-month complete response rates (28% vs 56%, P = .0029), progression-free survival (PFS; P = .0007; hazard ratio, 2.11), and overall survival (OS; P = .0026; hazard ratio, 2.10). We identified 34 unique focal CNAs in 108 (89%) patients; of these, deletion 10q23.3 leading to loss of FAS death receptor was the most highly associated with poor outcomes, leading to inferior PFS (P < .0001; hazard ratio, 3.49) and OS (P = .0027; hazard ratio, 2.68). By combining FCS with traditional markers of increased tumor bulk (elevated lactate dehydrogenase and >1 extranodal site), we built a simple risk model that could reliably risk stratify patients. Thus, lpWGS of cfDNA is a minimally invasive assay that could rapidly identify high-risk patients and may guide patient selection for and targeted therapies to evaluate in future clinical trials.


Subject(s)
Cell-Free Nucleic Acids , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Antigens, CD19 , Humans , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy , Risk Assessment
13.
Haematologica ; 107(3): 690-701, 2022 03 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33792219

ABSTRACT

B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) encompasses multiple clinically and phenotypically distinct subtypes of malignancy with unique molecular etiologies. Common subtypes of B-NHL, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, have been comprehensively interrogated at the genomic level, but rarer subtypes, such as mantle cell lymphoma, remain less extensively characterized. Furthermore, multiple B-NHL subtypes have thus far not been comprehensively compared using the same methodology to identify conserved or subtype-specific patterns of genomic alterations. Here, we employed a large targeted hybrid-capture sequencing approach encompassing 380 genes to interrogate the genomic landscapes of 685 B-NHL tumors at high depth, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma. We identified conserved hallmarks of B-NHL that were deregulated in the majority of tumors from each subtype, including frequent genetic deregulation of the ubiquitin proteasome system. In addition, we identified subtype-specific patterns of genetic alterations, including clusters of co-occurring mutations and DNA copy number alterations. The cumulative burden of mutations within a single cluster were more discriminatory of B-NHL subtypes than individual mutations, implicating likely patterns of genetic cooperation that contribute to disease etiology. We therefore provide the first cross-sectional analysis of mutations and DNA copy number alterations across major B-NHL subtypes and a framework of co-occurring genetic alterations that deregulate genetic hallmarks and likely cooperate in lymphomagenesis.


Subject(s)
Burkitt Lymphoma , Lymphoma, Follicular , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Lymphoma, Follicular/genetics , Mutation
14.
Multimed Syst ; 28(2): 469-478, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34690439

ABSTRACT

Online learning has become one of the most important learning styles, yet with the need of supervisors to consistently keep the learners motivated and on-task. Some learners could be supervised by outer factors, and distance learners have to be motivated by themselves. However, online learning engagement is hardly to be assessed by supervisors in real time. With the rapid development of information technology, it is able to remedy the above problem by using intelligent video surveillance techniques. In this paper, we propose a novel framework of learning engagement assessment which introduces facial expression recognition to timely acquire the emotional changes of the learners. Moreover, a new facial expression recognition method is proposed based on domain adaptation, which is suitable for the MOOC scenario. The experiments show the effectiveness of our proposed framework on assessing learners' learning engagement. The comparisons with the state-of-the-art methods also demonstrate the superiority of our proposed facial emotion recognition method.

15.
J Mol Biol ; 433(10): 166948, 2021 05 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33744316

ABSTRACT

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins is involved in a growing number of cellular processes. Most proteins with LLPS harbor intrinsically disordered regions (IDR), which serve as a guideline to search for cellular proteins that potentially phase separate. Herein, we reveal that oligomerization lowers the barriers for LLPS and could act as a general mechanism to enhance LLPS of proteins domains independent of IDR. Using TDP43 as a model system, we found that deleting its IDR resulted in LLPS that was dependent on the oligomerization of the N-terminal domain (NTD). Replacing TDP43's NTD with other oligomerization domains enhanced the LLPS proportionately to the state of oligomerization. In addition to TDP43, fusing NTD to other globular proteins without known LLPS behavior also drove their phase separation in a manner dependent on oligomerization. Finally, we demonstrate that heterooligomers composed of NTD-fused proteins can be driven into droplets through NTD interactions. Our results potentiate a new paradigm for using oligomerization domains as a signature to systematically identify cellular proteins with LLPS behavior, thus broadening the scope of this exciting research field.


Subject(s)
DNA-Binding Proteins/chemistry , Intrinsically Disordered Proteins/chemistry , Staining and Labeling/methods , Binding Sites , Coumarins/chemistry , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Fluoresceins/chemistry , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Gene Expression , Genetic Vectors/chemistry , Genetic Vectors/metabolism , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Intrinsically Disordered Proteins/genetics , Intrinsically Disordered Proteins/metabolism , Protein Binding , Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs , Protein Multimerization , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism , Rhodamines/chemistry
16.
Leukemia ; 35(9): 2621-2634, 2021 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33654205

ABSTRACT

Richter Transformation (RT) develops in CLL as an aggressive, therapy-resistant, diffuse large B cell lymphoma (RT-DLBCL), commonly clonally-related (CLR) to the concomitant CLL. Lack of available pre-clinical human models has hampered the development of novel therapies for RT-DLBCL. Here, we report the profiles of genetic alterations, chromatin accessibility and active enhancers, gene-expressions and anti-lymphoma drug-sensitivity of three newly established, patient-derived, xenograft (PDX) models of RT-DLBCLs, including CLR and clonally-unrelated (CLUR) to concomitant CLL. The CLR and CLUR RT-DLBCL cells display active enhancers, higher single-cell RNA-Seq-determined mRNA, and protein expressions of IRF4, TCF4, and BCL2, as well as increased sensitivity to BET protein inhibitors. CRISPR knockout of IRF4 attenuated c-Myc levels and increased sensitivity to a BET protein inhibitor. Co-treatment with BET inhibitor or BET-PROTAC and ibrutinib or venetoclax exerted synergistic in vitro lethality in the RT-DLBCL cells. Finally, as compared to each agent alone, combination therapy with BET-PROTAC and venetoclax significantly reduced lymphoma burden and improved survival of immune-depleted mice engrafted with CLR-RT-DLBCL. These findings highlight a novel, potentially effective therapy for RT-DLBCL.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy , Proteins/metabolism , Proteolysis , Adenine/administration & dosage , Adenine/analogs & derivatives , Animals , Apoptosis , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/administration & dosage , Cell Proliferation , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology , Humans , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/metabolism , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology , Mice , Piperidines/administration & dosage , Proteins/genetics , Sulfonamides/administration & dosage , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
17.
Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program ; 2020(1): 95-100, 2020 12 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33275741

ABSTRACT

Affinity maturation and terminal differentiation of B cells via the germinal center reaction is a complex multistep process controlled by transcription factors that induce or suppress large dynamic transcriptional programs. This occurs via the recruitment of coactivator or corepressor complexes that epigenetically regulate gene expression by post-translationally modifying histones and/or remodeling chromatin structure. B-cell-intrinsic developmental programs both regulate and respond to interactions with other cells in the germinal center that provide survival and differentiation signals, such as T-follicular helper cells and follicular dendritic cells. Epigenetic and transcriptional programs that naturally occur during B-cell development are hijacked in B-cell lymphoma by genetic alterations that directly or indirectly change the function of transcription factors and/or chromatin-modifying genes. These in turn skew differentiation toward the tumor cell of origin and alter interactions between lymphoma B cells and other cells within the microenvironment. Understanding the mechanisms by which genetic alterations perturb epigenetic and transcriptional programs regulating B-cell development and immune interactions may identify opportunities to target these programs using epigenetic-modifying agents. Here, we discuss recently published studies centered on follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma within the context of prior knowledge, and we highlight how these insights have informed potential avenues for rational therapeutic interventions.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin , Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects , Humans , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/drug therapy , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/genetics , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/metabolism , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/pathology
18.
Blood ; 2020 Nov 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33206943

ABSTRACT

Affinity maturation and terminal differentiation of B-cells via the germinal center reaction is a complex multi-step process controlled by transcription factors that induce or suppress large dynamic transcriptional programs. This occurs via the recruitment of co-activator or co-repressor complexes that epigenetically regulate gene expression by post-translationally modifying histones and/or remodeling chromatin structure. B-cell-intrinsic developmental programs both regulate and respond to interactions with other cells in the germinal center that provide survival and differentiation signals, such as T follicular helper cells and follicular dendritic cells. Epigenetic and transcriptional programs that naturally occur during B-cell development are hijacked in B-cell lymphoma by genetic alterations that directly or indirectly change the function of transcription factors and/or chromatin modifying genes. These in turn skew differentiation towards the tumor cell-of-origin and alter interactions between lymphoma B-cells and other cells within the microenvironment. Understanding the mechanisms by which genetic alterations perturb epigenetic and transcriptional programs regulating B-cell development and immune interactions may identify opportunities to target these programs using epigenetic modifying agents. Here, we discuss recently published studies centered on follicular lymphoma (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) within the context of prior knowledge, and highlight how these insights have informed potential avenues for rational therapeutic interventions.

19.
Nat Med ; 26(12): 1878-1887, 2020 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33020644

ABSTRACT

Autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies targeting CD19 have high efficacy in large B cell lymphomas (LBCLs), but long-term remissions are observed in less than half of patients, and treatment-associated adverse events, such as immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), are a clinical challenge. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing with capture-based cell identification on autologous axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) anti-CD19 CAR T cell infusion products to identify transcriptomic features associated with efficacy and toxicity in 24 patients with LBCL. Patients who achieved a complete response by positron emission tomography/computed tomography at their 3-month follow-up had three-fold higher frequencies of CD8 T cells expressing memory signatures than patients with partial response or progressive disease. Molecular response measured by cell-free DNA sequencing at day 7 after infusion was significantly associated with clinical response (P = 0.008), and a signature of CD8 T cell exhaustion was associated (q = 2.8 × 10-149) with a poor molecular response. Furthermore, a rare cell population with monocyte-like transcriptional features was associated (P = 0.0002) with high-grade ICANS. Our results suggest that heterogeneity in the cellular and molecular features of CAR T cell infusion products contributes to variation in efficacy and toxicity after axi-cel therapy in LBCL, and that day 7 molecular response might serve as an early predictor of CAR T cell efficacy.


Subject(s)
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/adverse effects , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology , Cell-Free Nucleic Acids/blood , Female , Humans , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/immunology , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Neurotoxicity Syndromes/etiology , RNA-Seq , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology , Single-Cell Analysis , Transcriptome/genetics
20.
Cancer Discov ; 10(3): 440-459, 2020 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31915197

ABSTRACT

CREBBP mutations are highly recurrent in B-cell lymphomas and either inactivate its histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain or truncate the protein. Herein, we show that these two classes of mutations yield different degrees of disruption of the epigenome, with HAT mutations being more severe and associated with inferior clinical outcome. Genes perturbed by CREBBP mutation are direct targets of the BCL6-HDAC3 onco-repressor complex. Accordingly, we show that HDAC3-selective inhibitors reverse CREBBP-mutant aberrant epigenetic programming, resulting in: (i) growth inhibition of lymphoma cells through induction of BCL6 target genes such as CDKN1A and (ii) restoration of immune surveillance due to induction of BCL6-repressed IFN pathway and antigen-presenting genes. By reactivating these genes, exposure to HDAC3 inhibitors restored the ability of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to kill DLBCL cells in an MHC class I and II-dependent manner, and synergized with PD-L1 blockade in a syngeneic model in vivo. Hence, HDAC3 inhibition represents a novel mechanism-based immune epigenetic therapy for CREBBP-mutant lymphomas. SIGNIFICANCE: We have leveraged the molecular characterization of different types of CREBBP mutations to define a rational approach for targeting these mutations through selective inhibition of HDAC3. This represents an attractive therapeutic avenue for targeting synthetic vulnerabilities in CREBBP-mutant cells in tandem with promoting antitumor immunity.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 327.


Subject(s)
CREB-Binding Protein/genetics , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/genetics , Histone Deacetylases/genetics , Lymphoma/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6/genetics , Animals , Antigen-Presenting Cells/drug effects , Antigen-Presenting Cells/immunology , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology , B7-H1 Antigen/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Epigenome/genetics , Epigenome/immunology , Genes, MHC Class I/immunology , Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/immunology , Histone Acetyltransferases/genetics , Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Histone Deacetylases/drug effects , Humans , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Immune System/drug effects , Immune System/immunology , Interferons/genetics , Interferons/immunology , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology , Lymphoma/drug therapy , Lymphoma/immunology , Lymphoma/pathology , Mice , Mutation/genetics , Signal Transduction/drug effects
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