AML1-ETO mediates hematopoietic self-renewal and leukemogenesis through a COX/?-catenin signaling pathway.

ABSTRACT: Developing novel therapies that suppress self-renewal of leukemia stem cells may reduce the likelihood of relapses and extend long-term survival of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). AML1-ETO (AE) is an oncogene that plays an important role in inducing self-renewal of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), leading to the development of leukemia stem cells. Previously, using a zebrafish model of AE and a whole-organism chemical suppressor screen, we have discovered that AE induces specific hematopoietic phenotypes in embryonic zebrafish through a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and ?-catenin-dependent pathway. Here, we show that AE also induces expression of the Cox-2 gene and activates ?-catenin in mouse bone marrow cells. Inhibition of COX suppresses ?-catenin activation and serial replating of AE(+) mouse HSPCs. Genetic knockdown of ?-catenin also abrogates the clonogenic growth of AE(+) mouse HSPCs and human leukemia cells. In addition, treatment with nimesulide, a COX-2 selective inhibitor, dramatically suppresses xenograft tumor formation and inhibits in vivo progression of human leukemia cells. In summary, our data indicate an important role of a COX/?-catenin-dependent signaling pathway in tumor initiation, growth, and self-renewal, and in providing the rationale for testing potential benefits from common COX inhibitors as a part of AML treatments.

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3682341 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature