JMJD1C (Jumonji Domain Containing 1C), a member of the lysine demethylase 3 (KDM3) family, is universally required for the survival of several types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells with different genetic mutations, representing a therapeutic opportunity with broad application. Yet how JMJD1C regulates the leukemic programs of various AML cells is largely unexplored. Here we show that JMJD1C interacts with the master hematopoietic transcription factor RUNX1, which thereby recruits JMJD1C to the genome to facilitate a RUNX1-driven transcriptional program that supports leukemic cell survival. The underlying mechanism hinges on the long N-terminal disordered region of JMJD1C, which harbors two inseparable abilities: condensate formation and direct interaction with RUNX1. This dual capability of JMJD1C may influence enhancer-promoter contacts crucial for the expression of key leukemic genes regulated by RUNX1. Our findings demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for the non-catalytic function of JMJD1C in transcriptional regulation, underlying a mechanism shared by different types of leukemias.
Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/genetics* ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/chemistry* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of nucleolin (NCL) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) Kasumi-1 cells and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: The Kasumi-1 cells were infected with lentivirus carrying shRNA to downregulate NCL expression. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay, and cell apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Transcriptome next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to predict associated signaling pathways, the expression levels of related genes were measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Down-regulation of NCL expression significantly inhibited the proliferation of Kasumi-1 cells (P <0.01) and markedly increased the apoptosis rate (P <0.001). Cell cycle analysis showed significant changes in the distribution of cells in the G₁ and S phases after NCL knockdown (P <0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the G₂ phase (P >0.05). Transcriptome sequencing analysis demonstrated that differentially expressed genes in Kasumi-1 cells with low expression of NCL were primarily enriched in key signaling pathways, including ribosome, spliceosome, RNA transport, cell cycle, and amino acid biosynthesis. qPCR validation showed that the expression of BAX, CASP3, CYCS, PMAIP1, TP53 , and CDKN1A was significantly upregulated after NCL downregulation (P <0.05), with CDKN1A exhibiting the most pronounced difference. CONCLUSION NCL plays a critical role in regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression of Kasumi-1 cells. The mechanism likely involves suppressing cell cycle progression through activation of the TP53-CDKN1A pathway and promoting apoptosis by upregulating apoptosis-related genes.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology* ; Down-Regulation ; Cell Proliferation ; Apoptosis ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Nucleolin ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Phosphoproteins/metabolism* ; Cell Cycle ; Signal Transduction ; RNA, Small Interfering

Objective To investigate the effects of miR-181b-5p on cells proliferation and apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by targeting paired box 9 (PAX9). Methods The relationship between expression level of PAX9 and prognosis in AML patients was analyzed by gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Kasumi-1 and AML5 cells were transfected with empty vector (Vector group) or PAX9 (PAX9 group). The proliferation activity was detected by CCK-8 assay, and cells cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Expressions of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and Bcl2-associated X protein (BAX) were detected by Western blot analysis. The targeted microRNA (miRNA) by PAX9 was predicted by bioinformatics analysis, and the targeted effect was verified by luciferase reporter assay. The level of PAX9 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative PCR, and expression of PAX9 protein was detected by Western blot analysis. Kasumi-1 and AML5 cells were transfected with miR-NC (miR-NC group) or miR-181b-5p (miR-181b-5p group). The cells were further transfected with PAX9 (miR-181b-5p combined with PAX9 group) in miR-181b-5p group. The proliferation, cycle and apoptosis of cells were detected by the above methods.Results GEPIA and TCGA databases showed that the expression of PAX9 was down-regulated in AML patients, which was correlated with poor prognosis. In Kasumi-1 and AML5 cells, compared with Vector group, proliferation activity of cells, percentage of cells in S phase, and expressions of CDK2, CCNB1 and Bcl2 proteins were decreased, while percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase, apoptosis rate and the expression of BAX protein were increased in PAX9 group. It was confirmed by double luciferase reporter assay that PAX9 was the target gene of miR-181b-5p. Compared with miR-NC group, proliferation activity of cells, percentage of cells in S phase, and expressions of CDK2, CCNB1 and Bcl2 proteins were increased, while percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase, apoptosis rate and the expression of BAX protein were decreased in miR-181b-5p group. Compared with miR-181b-5p group, proliferation activity of cells, percentage of cells in S phase, and expressions of CDK2, CCNB1 and Bcl2 proteins were decreased, while percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase, apoptosis rate and the expression of BAX protein were increased in miR-181b-5p combined with PAX9 group. Conclusion The miR-181b-5p can promote the proliferation of AML cells and delay apoptosis by inhibiting PAX9.
Humans ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology* ; Luciferases ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; PAX9 Transcription Factor/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the flow immunophenotype and clinical characteristics of leukemia patients with positive SET-CAN fusion gene. METHODS: A total of 7 newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients with SET-CAN fusion gene admitted to Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 2016 to February 2020 were collected. Multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of SET-CAN fusion gene. The immunophenotype was detected by four-color flow cytometry. The case information of 17 literatures published at home and abroad was extracted for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among the 7 patients, 2 cases were diagnosed as mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL), 2 cases as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and 3 cases as T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)/lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL). Leukemia cells in bone marrow specimens of all cases expressed or partially expressed CD34, CD33 and CD7. CD5 and cytoplasmic CD3 were expressed in 5 patients except 2 patients diagnosed with AML. Bone marrow and lymph node specimens were both detected in 2 patients, and the immunophenotypes of the two specimens were not completely consistent, with differences in lineage or maturity related markers. Two patients with MPAL showed differentiated response to treatment. One AML patient gave up treatment, and another AML patient with FLT3-ITD gene mutation had a poor prognosis. All three T-ALL/LBL patients maintained a long duration of remission after induced remission, and one case underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. CONCLUSIONS There are common characteristics of immunophenotype in patients with positive SET-CAN fusion gene. Differential expression of immunophenotype in samples from different parts is observed in some cases. The prognosis of these diseases varies.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology* ; Bone Marrow/pathology* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics* ; Antigens, CD34 ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Immunophenotyping

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of CD47 molecules in patients with newly diagnosis of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its correlation with clinical prognosis. METHODS: 20 patients with acute myeloid leukemia diagnosed in Shanghai Fengxian District Central hospital from April 2020 to October 2021 and 5 cases with non malignant hematological diseases in the control group were collected, and the expression of CD47 in single nuclear cells of bone marrow and peripheral blood was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Combined with the blood image, bone marrow smears, flow cytometry, chromosome and gene detection, ECOG score, etc. during the patient's initial diagnosis, the relationship between the patient's prognosis and CD47 was evaluated. RESULTS: The expression of CD47 in bone marrow (P=0.0115) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P=0.0069) in new diagnosis AML patients was significantly higher than that of controls. In bone marrow mononuclear cells, the total survival time of patients with high CD47 expression was less than that of CD47 low expression patients (P=0.036). There was statistical significance in difference stratification group (P=0.012), but there was no statistical significance between CD47 expression and survival time in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P=0.116). There were no statistical significance between bone marrow mononuclear cell CD47 expression and gene mutation fusion genes related to leukemia , CD34⁺, CD38⁺, CD123⁺ (P>0.05). The proportion of bone marrow protocells in AML patients was >50%, the ECOG score was >2 points, MLLELL fusion gene and chromosome prognosis stratification were all risk factors affecting the survival of patients (P=0023, 0.036, 0.012, 0.001, respectively). The high expression of bone marrow CD47 in AML patients indicated a high risk of recurrence (P=0.017). CONCLUSION The high expression of bone marrow mononuclear cell CD47 in AML patients indicates poorer survival and higher risk of recurrence.
Adult ; CD47 Antigen ; China ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/pathology* ; Prognosis

The occurrence and development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not only related to gene mutations, but also influenced by abnormal epigenetic regulation, in which DNA methylation is one of the most important mechanisms. Abnormal DNA methylation may lead to the activation of oncogene and the inactivation of tumor suppressor gene, resulting in the occurrence of leukemia. The mutations of DNA methylation enzymes associated with AML may have certain characteristics. The AML with recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities is also related to abnormal methylation. Some fusion genes can alter DNA methylation status to participate in the pathogenesis of leukemia. In addition, chemotherapy drug resistance in patients with AML is associated with the change of gene methylation status. Considering the reversibility of the epigenetic modification, targeted methylation therapy has become a hotspot of AML research.
DNA Methylation ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; DNA Modification Methylases ; genetics ; physiology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; etiology ; genetics ; pathology ; Mutation ; genetics

BACKGROUNDThe acute myeloid leukemia 1 (AML1)-eight-twenty-one (ETO) fusion protein generated by the t(8;21)(q22;q22) translocation is considered to display a crucial role in leukemogenesis in AML. By focusing on the anti-leukemia effects of eyes absent 4 (EYA4) gene on AML cells, we investigated the biologic and molecular mechanism associated with AML1-ETO expressed in t(8;21) AML.

METHODSQualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), and Western blotting analysis were used to observe the mRNA and protein expression levels of EYA4 in cell lines. Different plasmids (including mutant plasmids) of dual luciferase reporter vector were built to study the binding status of AML1-ETO to the promoter region of EYA4. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was used to study the epigenetic silencing mechanism of EYA4. Bisulfite sequencing was applied to detect the methylation status in EYA4 promoter region. The influence of EYA4 gene in the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell clone-forming ability was detected by the technique of Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, and clonogenic assay.

RESULTSEYA4 gene was hypermethylated in AML1-ETO+ patients and its expression was down-regulated by 6-fold in Kasumi-1 and SKNO-1 cells, compared to HL-60 and SKNO-1-siA/E cells, respectively. We demonstrated that AML1-ETO triggered the epigenetic silencing of EYA4 gene by binding at AML1-binding sites and recruiting histone deacetylase 1 and DNA methyltransferases. Enhanced EYA4 expression levels inhibited cellular proliferation and suppressed cell colony formation in AML1-ETO+ cell lines. We also found EYA4 transfection increased apoptosis of Kasumi-1 and SKNO-1 cells by 1.6-fold and 1.4-fold compared to negative control, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSOur study identified EYA4 gene as targets for AML1-ETO and indicated it as a novel tumor suppressor gene. In addition, we provided evidence that EYA4 gene might be a novel therapeutic target and a potential candidate for treating AML1-ETO+ t (8;21) AML.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; genetics ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; genetics ; Gene Silencing ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein ; Radioimmunoprecipitation Assay ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of Rheb (mTOR activator) in AML development by measuring Rheb expression in bone marrow of adult AML patients and in AML cell line HL-60.

METHODSReal-time PCR assay was used to measure the Rheb mRNA expression in 27 AML patients and 29 ITP patients as control. The relationship between Rheb mRNA expression and age, AML subtype, fusion gene, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and survival of AML patients was analyzed and compared. In addition, HL-60 cell line over-expressing Rheb was established, and the HL-60 cells and HL-60 cells with overexpression of Rheb were treated with Ara-C of different concentrations, the proliferation level was detected by CCK-8 method, and the IC50 was calculated.

RESULTSThe mRNA level of Rheb in AML patients was similar to that in ITP patients (control). Interestingly, higher expression of Rheb was associated with better survival and was sensitive to Ara-C treatment. However, the expression level of Rheb was not associated with age, AML subtype, fusion gene, and hepatomegaly of patients. Lower expression level of Rheb was associated with splenomegaly. In vitro analysis of HL-60 line indicated that overexpression of Rheb could increased the cell sensitivity to Ara-C treatment (IC50=0.54 µmol/L) and caused HL-60 cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONThe lower Rheb expression is a poor prognostic indicator for AML patients, which is associated with AML splenomegaly, the patients and HL-60 cells with low expression of Rheb are insensitive to Ara-C treatment.

Adult ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Cytarabine ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neuropeptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain Protein ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spleen ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical features and prognosis of primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with trisomy 8.

METHODSThe clinical data of 24 cases diagnosed as primary AML with trisomy 8 were collected. The clinical characteristics such as sex, age, subtype of FAB, blood routine and bone marrow blast at the first visit were analyzed and the relationship of the characteristics with CR rate and the prognosis was explored.

RESULTS12 out of 24 AML patients were diagnosed as M5 (50%), while M2, M3, M4 and M6 had 3 cases, respectively (12.5%); one case did not receive the chemotherapy. 23 cases received 1-2 cycles of standard induction chemotherapy. Among them 3 cases of M3 achieved complete response (CR) and survived until the last following up with 100% 5-year OS rate. Among 20 cases of non-M3, 12 cases achieved CR1 (60%), 4 cases achieved partial response (PR) (20%), 4 cases did not respond (NR); 5 cases relapsed in follow-up for 3 years after CR1 (41.7%), 3 cases achieved CR2 after re-induction chemotherapy, and 2 cases remained NR. Among 20 cases of non-M3, 1 case failed to be followed-up after diagnosis within 1 month. The mean follow-up time of 19 cases was 26.2 (1.5-84) months, 9 cases died (6 cases of M5, 1 case of M4 and 2 cases of M2), who achieved PR and NR, or relapsed after CR1; the 3-year DFS and OS were 21%, 31.5% respectively. 2 cases of non-M3 accepted allo-HSCT with HLA-matched sibling donor and kept disease-free survival until the last following up, and survived for 58 and 66 months respectively. Except for 3 cases of M3, 2 cases received allo-HSCT and the cases without chemotherapy, the other 18 cases with initial WBC count less than 10×10(9)/L had OS and DFS longer than those of 10 cases with initial WBC count no less than 10×10(9)/L (P<0.05, P<0.01). The OS of 10 cases with CR1 was longer than OS of those cases without CR1 (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of trisomy 8 in M5 is higher than the other AML subtypes, and the prognosis of M5 is poor. The initial WBC count above 10×10(9)/L is a high-risk factor. M3 with trisomy 8 and RARA gene has a very good prognosis. Trisomy 8 may increase the risk of primary AML except for M3, so allo-HSCT with HLA-matched sibling donor should be carried out as much as possible after CR1. The gene mutation of FLT3, MLL, HOX11, C-kit, NPM1 may possess an important significance on prognosis.

Bone Marrow ; pathology ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 ; Disease-Free Survival ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Leukocyte Count ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; Trisomy

OBJECTIVETo investigate miR-181a function and regulation mechanism by identifying miR-181a target genes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSThe HL-60 cells of human AML was transfected by small molecular analog miR-181a, the cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method after electroporation in HL-60 cell lines. Target genes of miR-181a were predicted and analyzed by the bioinformatics software and database. Target genes were confirmed by HL-60 cell line and the patient leukemia cells.

RESULTSOverexpressed miR-181a in HL-60 cell line significantly enhanced cell proliferation compared with that in control (P < 0.05). Dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR-181a significantly suppressed the reporter gene activity containing ATM 3'-UTR by about 56.8% (P < 0.05), but it didn't suppress the reporter gene activity containing 3'-UTR ATM mutation. Western blot showed that miR-181a significantly downregulated the expression of ATM in human leukemia cells. It is also found that miR-181a was significantly increased in AML, which showed a negative correlation with ATM expression.

CONCLUSIONmiR-181a promotes cell proliferation in AML by regulating the tumor suppressor ATM, thus it plays the role as oncogene in pathogenesis of AML.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection