The co-receptor Neuropilin-1 enhances proliferation in inv(16) acute myeloid leukemia via VEGF signaling
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ABSTRACT: Oncogenic programs regulate the proliferation and maintenance of cancer stem cells, and can define pharmacologic dependencies. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with the chromosome inversion 16 (inv(16)), the fusion CBF::MYH11 oncoprotein regulates pathways associated with leukemia stem cell activity. Here we demonstrate that expression of Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is regulated by the fusion oncoprotein, and promotes AML expansion. Mechanistically, we show that the NRP1 locus has open chromatin in inv(16) AML, and that CBF::MYH11 modulates the local function of the transcription factors ERG, GATA2 and RUNX1 to sustain NRP1 levels. We found that ERG activates NRP1 expression, and that CBF::MYH11 knockdown represses ERG expression, thereby allowing the repressive activity of GATA2/RUNX1 at three NRP1 enhancers. Functionally, we demonstrate that NRP1 enhances the expansion of leukemic cells in vitro and in mice, and that this activity is dependent on its VEGFR-associated FV/FVIII domain. Finally, we show that treatment with VEGF inhibitor axitinib reduces AML cell growth and delays median leukemia latency in vivo. Our findings reveal that the NRP1/VEGF axis mediates proliferation in inv(16) AML blasts, and suggest that targeting NRP1 function could be promising in combination AML therapy.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE215613 | GEO | 2024/11/18
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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