Detection of Myosin 1g Overexpression in Pediatric Leukemia by Novel Monoclonal Antibodies.

Myosin 1g (Myo1g) is a mechanoenzyme associated with actin filaments, expressed exclusively in hematopoietic cells, and involved in various cellular functions, including cell migration, adhesion, and membrane trafficking. Despite the importance of Myo1g in distinct functions, there is currently no monoclonal antibody (mAb) against Myo1g. mAbs are helpful tools for the detection of specific antigens in tumor cells and other tissues. The development of mAbs against targeted dysregulated molecules in cancer cells remains a crucial tool for aiding in the diagnosis and the treatment of patients. Using hybridoma technology, we generated a panel of hybridomas specific for Myo1g. ELISA, immunofluorescence, and Western blot assay results revealed the recognition of Myo1g by these novel monoclonal antibodies in normal and transformed T and B cells. Here, we report the development and application of new monoclonal antibodies against Myo1g for their potential use to detect its overexpression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients.

SHOC2 scaffold protein modulates daunorubicin-induced cell death through p53 modulation in lymphoid leukemia cells.

SHOC2 scaffold protein has been mainly related to oncogenic ERK signaling through the RAS-SHOC2-PP1 phosphatase complex. In leukemic cells however, SHOC2 upregulation has been previously related to an increased 5-year event-free survival of pediatric pre-B acute lymphoid leukemia, suggesting that SHOC2 could be a potential prognostic marker. To address such paradoxical function, our study investigated how SHOC2 impact leukemic cells drug response. Our transcriptome analysis has shown that SHOC2 can modulate the DNA-damage mediated by p53. Notably, upon genetic inhibition of SHOC2 we observed a significant impairment of p53 expression, which in turn, leads to the blockage of key apoptotic molecules. To confirm the specificity of DNA-damage related modulation, several anti-leukemic drugs has been tested and we did confirm that the proposed mechanism impairs cell death upon daunorubicin-induced DNA damage of human lymphoid cells. In conclusion, our study uncovers new insights into SHOC2 function and reveals that this scaffold protein may be essential to activate a novel mechanism of p53-induced cell death in pre-B lymphoid cells.

Insulin Substrate Receptor (IRS) proteins in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.

The insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are a family of cytoplasmic proteins that integrate and coordinate the transmission of signals from the extracellular to the intracellular environment via transmembrane receptors, thus regulating cell growth, metabolism, survival and proliferation. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways are the best-characterized downstream signaling pathways activated by IRS signaling (canonical pathways). However, novel signaling axes involving IRS proteins (noncanonical pathways) have recently been identified in solid tumor and hematologic neoplasm models. Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) and insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS2) are the best-characterized IRS proteins in hematologic-related processes. IRS2 binds to important cellular receptors involved in normal hematopoiesis (EPOR, MPL and IGF1R). Moreover, the identification of IRS1/ABL1 and IRS2/JAK2V617F interactions and their functional consequences has opened a new frontier for investigating the roles of the IRS protein family in malignant hematopoiesis. Insulin receptor substrate-4 (IRS4) is absent in normal hematopoietic tissues but may be expressed under abnormal conditions. Moreover, insulin receptor substrate-5 (DOK4) and insulin receptor substrate-6 (DOK5) are linked to lymphocyte regulation. An improved understanding of the signaling pathways mediated by IRS proteins in hematopoiesis-related processes, along with the increased development of agonists and antagonists of these signaling axes, may generate new therapeutic approaches for hematological diseases. The scope of this review is to recapitulate and review the evidence for the functions of IRS proteins in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.

Insulin Substrate Receptor (IRS) proteins in normal and malignant hematopoiesis

The insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are a family of cytoplasmic proteins that integrate and coordinate the transmission of signals from the extracellular to the intracellular environment via transmembrane receptors, thus regulating cell growth, metabolism, survival and proliferation. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways are the best-characterized downstream signaling pathways activated by IRS signaling (canonical pathways). However, novel signaling axes involving IRS proteins (noncanonical pathways) have recently been identified in solid tumor and hematologic neoplasm models. Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) and insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS2) are the best-characterized IRS proteins in hematologic-related processes. IRS2 binds to important cellular receptors involved in normal hematopoiesis (EPOR, MPL and IGF1R). Moreover, the identification of IRS1/ABL1 and IRS2/JAK2V617F interactions and their functional consequences has opened a new frontier for investigating the roles of the IRS protein family in malignant hematopoiesis. Insulin receptor substrate-4 (IRS4) is absent in normal hematopoietic tissues but may be expressed under abnormal conditions. Moreover, insulin receptor substrate-5 (DOK4) and insulin receptor substrate-6 (DOK5) are linked to lymphocyte regulation. An improved understanding of the signaling pathways mediated by IRS proteins in hematopoiesis-related processes, along with the increased development of agonists and antagonists of these signaling axes, may generate new therapeutic approaches for hematological diseases. The scope of this review is to recapitulate and review the evidence for the functions of IRS proteins in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.

A shift from N-glycolyl- to N-acetyl-sialic acid in the GM3 ganglioside impairs tumor development in mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells.

Humans, in contrast to other mammals, do not synthesize N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) due to a deletion in the gene (cmah) encoding the enzyme responsible for this conversion, the cytidine monophospho-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase). The detection of considerable amounts of Neu5Gc-sialoconjugates, in particular gangliosides, in human malignancies makes these antigens attractive targets for immunotherapy, in particular with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We have previously described a GM3(Neu5Gc) ganglioside-specific mAb, named 14F7, with the ability to kill tumor cells in a complement-independent manner. Silencing the cmah gene in GM3(Neu5Gc)-expressing L1210 mouse lymphocytic leukemia B cells caused the abrogation of this cytotoxic effect. We now show that cmah-silenced L1210 cells (cmah-kd) express a high level of GM3(Neu5Ac) and have an impaired ability for anchorage-independent cell growth and tumor development in vivo. No evidences of increased immunogenicity of the cmah-kd cell line were found. These results provide new evidences on the role of GM3(Neu5Gc), or Neu5Gc-sialoconjugates in general, in tumor biology. As an important tool in this study, we used the humanized version (here referred to as 7C1 mAb) of a recently described, rationally-designed mutant of 14F7 mAb that is able to bind to both GM3(Neu5Gc) and GM3(Neu5Ac). In contrast to its parental antibody, the humanized 14F7 (14F7hT) mAb, 7C1 mAb was able to kill not only GM3(Neu5Gc)-expressing L1210 wild type cells, but also GM3(Neu5Ac)-expressing cmah-kd cells, which endorses this antibody as a potential agent for cancer immunotherapy.

Disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential during apoptosis induced by PSC 833 and CsA in multidrug-resistant lymphoid leukemia.

Previous findings from our laboratory demonstrated that when used at low concentration (0.1 microg ml(-1)), CsA as well as its analog PSC 833 were able to revert the MDR phenotype, while at high concentration (1 microg ml(-1)) were able to induce apoptosis. CsA induced apoptosis in leukemia cell lines sensitive (LBR-) and resistant to vincristine (LBR-V160), and doxorubicin (LBR-D160), while PSC 833 only induced apoptosis in vincristine-resistant cell line (LBR-V160). In this work, we investigated mitochondrial-associated mechanisms during CsA- and PSC 833-induced apoptosis. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by recording changes in its transmembrane potential, cytochrome c release, and caspase activation cascade. Results showed that CsA- and PSC 833-induced apoptosis was associated with mitochondrial depolarization, through potentiometric measurements with JC-1 and DiOC(6) probes. Collapse of mitochondrial potential in these cell lines after CsA treatment was followed by cytochrome c release to the cytosol, reaching an increase of 2.61-fold in LBR-, 1.98-fold in LBR-V160, and 3.01-fold in the case of LBR-D160. However, in the case of PSC 833 treatment, induction of apoptosis in LBR-V160 was associated with mitochondrial depolarization followed by a lower cytochrome c release of 1.15-fold as compared with untreated cells. Caspase 3 activation was clearly observed in LBR-, LBR-V160, and LBR-D160 after CsA treatment, while in LBR-V160, PSC 833 was less effective inducing activation of this caspase. Neither caspase 6 nor 8 activity was observed in these three cell lines. Our results suggest that during CsA- and PSC 833-induced apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction occurs. This is mediated through mitochondrial events, associated with an evident decrease in DeltaPsi(m), cytochrome c release and caspase 3 activation.

Killing of lymphoblastic leukemia cells by nitric oxide and taxol: involvement of NF-kappaB activity.

Nitric oxide (NO) and taxol are cytotoxic towards leukemia and tumor cells and interfere with the transcription factor NF-kappaB activity. NO and taxol inhibited NF-kappaB activity and were cytotoxic to human and murine leukemia cells, but at a different magnitude (30% cell killing and 80% inhibition of NF-kappaB). Sub-effective concentrations of SNAP and taxol synergized in killing L-1210 cells but either alone or in combination completely inhibited NF-kappaB. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) was cytotoxic on its own and inhibited NF-kappaB activity. It potentiated NO and taxol killing but again there was no direct relationship between inhibition of NF-kappaB and cell killing. Neither NO nor taxol cytotoxicity was related to the cytoskeleton. Our results show that NO, taxol and PDTC induced apoptosis and NF-kappaB inhibition in leukemic cells but their cytotoxicity either alone or in combination, does not seem to be dependent on the inhibition of NF-KB activity.

[Cytogenetics and cytochemistry of leukemia patients in 2 neotropical hospitals]. / Citogenética y citoquímica de pacientes con leucemia en dos hospitales neotropicales.

A cytogenetic and/or cytochemical study was performed in 166 individuals with leukemia or related disorders, in two major Costa Rican hospitals. In those patients treated at an adult's hospital (14 years old and over), acute leukemias represented 66% of all cases. In that hospital the most frequent types of disorders were, in decreasing order: ANLL (> M1), ALL, CML (all of them showed the Ph chromosome) and MDS. In the cases from a childrens' hospital (< 14 years old) acute leukemias were 98%. Among them the order of frequency was: ALL (70%): ALL-1 (84%), ALL-2 (16%) and ANLL (27%): M5a > M3 > M4 > M5b. In ALL 85% were type B and occurred mostly in women while 15% of them were type T and more frequent in males. There was 5.6% infant leukemia, which presented a similar number of acute lymphoids and myeloids. The cytogenetic pattern was similar among Costa Rica and other tropical and temperate countries.

Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of methotrexate in children with Down syndrome and acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Children with Down syndrome and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) have poor tolerance to antineoplastic drugs, including methotrexate (MTX). We evaluated MTX pharmacokinetics and toxicity in five patients with Down syndrome and ALL who had received multiple high doses of MTX (1 g/m2). Three control patients without Down syndrome were matched to each case according to sex, race, age, and initial leukocyte count. Median MTX plasma concentrations, measured 42 hours after infusion, were significantly higher in patients with Down syndrome versus control patients (average 0.47 vs 0.24 mumol/L, respectively, P = 0.03). When a 42-hour MTX concentration of 0.5 mumol/L was used to identify patients at risk for toxicity, more courses were considered at high risk for toxicity among patients with Down syndrome (31 of 62, 50%) than in control patients (13 of 214, 6.1%, P less than 0.0001). The average MTX clearance was 64.1 mL/min/m2 in Down syndrome vs an average control value of 80.6 mL/min/m2 (P = 0.13). Toxicity after each high-dose MTX course was graded according to standardized criteria. Grades 2 through 4 gastrointestinal toxicity and grades 3 and 4 hematologic toxicity occurred more frequently in the patients with Down syndrome (36% and 13.4% of courses, respectively) vs the control patients (3.6% and 0.9% respectively, P less than 0.0001 for both). This higher frequency of toxicity occurred despite higher doses and prolonged duration of leucovorin given to all patients with Down syndrome. We conclude that altered MTX pharmacokinetics may contribute to the higher incidence of MTX-induced toxicity seen in patients with Down syndrome.

Biopterin and neurotransmitter amine metabolism in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia receiving methotrexate therapy.

To test the hypothesis that some of the neurologic sequelae of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) might be related to abnormalities in biopterin metabolism associated with methotrexate (MTX) therapy, total biopterin levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma, and homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) were measured in a cross-sectional study of 80 children with ALL. For comparison, biopterins were also measured in a group of children of similar age undergoing investigation for neurologic disease. In children with ALL studied before therapy, no significant difference was found between the means of plasma biopterin or CSF biopterin concentrations and the means in the control group. In children receiving MTX, plasma biopterin values were higher in the group given maintenance therapy than in children observed before treatment. CSF levels were significantly increased only in those patients who had completed 2 years of maintenance therapy. CSF concentrations of HVA and 5HIAA in patients with ALL who had received no treatment (median values 52 and 18 ng/ml, respectively) showed a wide scatter and were inversely related to age. In patients receiving MTX, concentrations of these metabolites were higher than in the untreated group, again reaching a peak in patients just completing 2 years of treatment (median HVA 110 ng/ml, 5HIAA 34 ng/ml). These results provide no support for the idea that neurotransmitter amine deficiency occurs in children with ALL receiving MTX, and indicate, rather, that amine and biopterin synthesis increases in such patients.

Glucocorticoid receptors in acute leukemia.

We evaluated the applicability of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) determinations to predict clinical responsiveness to polychemotherapy in acute leukemias by measuring GR in leukemic cells from 20 patients as well as in lymphocytes from 20 normal volunteers. The whole-cell binding assay with [3H]-dexamethasone was used. The GR level (mean +/- SD) was 4583 +/- 1384 sites/cell (range: 2050-8140) for normal lymphocytes. A significant amount of GR (5300 to 17,000 sites/cell) was detected in the blasts from 9/12 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The concentration of GR sites in ALL cells greatly exceeded that found in normal mononuclear cells (P less than 0.01). The absence of GR in ALL patients correlated with poor response to polychemotherapy including glucocorticoids. High receptor levels were associated with complete remission (P less than 0.005). The GR concentration (7288 +/- 2345 sites/cell) found in acute non-lymphoblastic leukemias (ANLL) was in the same range as that found in ALL cases. All ANLL patients had a substantial number of GR, significantly higher than the sites/cell found in normal lymphocytes (P less than 0.05). No correlation between clinical responsiveness and receptor level was demonstrable for ANLL patients.