Project description:Identification BCL6 target genes in primary germinal center cells and DLBCL cell lines by ChIP-on-chip Three replicates in each type of cells
Project description:BCL6 is a key oncogene in lymphoma pathogenesis. The expression of BCL6 in lymphoid cells can be deregulated by several mechanisms, including chromosomal translocations, somatic mutations in the promoter regulatory regions or reduced proteasome-mediated degradation. FBXO11 was recently identified as a major ubiquitin ligase involved in the degradation of BCL6 and is frequently inactivated in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In this work, we found that FBXO11 is frequently mutated in Burkitt lymphoma (BL) but rarely mutated in other BCL6-positive lymphomas, such as follicular lymphoma (FL). All mutations tested impaired FBXO11 mediated BCL6 degradation and FBXO11 knock-out completely stabilized BCL6 levels in human BL cell lines. Conditional deletion of one copy or both copies of FBXO11 in c-Myc-driven B cell lymphoma in mice accelerated lymphomagenesis, genetically confirming that FBXO11 is a haplo-insufficient oncosuppressor in lymphoma. In both FBOX11 WT and deficient BL mouse and human cell lines, blockade of BCL6 via a specific degrader or BCL6 inhibitors, impaired lymphoma growth in vitro and in vivo, an effect further enhanced by co-inhibition of c-Myc activity. Overall these findings not only establish FBXO11 as one of the most frequently mutated genes in BL, but also elucidate its biological functions in lymphomagenesis and thereby identify BCL6 as a specific therapeutic target in BL.
Project description:T follicular helper (Tfh) cells play a pivotal role in germinal center reactions, which requires Bcl6 transcription factor. To analyze their relationships with other effector T cell lineages and their stability in vivo, we developed and analyzed a new Bcl6 reporter mouse alone or together with other lineage reporter systems. Assisted with genome-wide transcriptome analysis, we show substantial plasticity of T cell differentiation in the early phase of immune response. At this stage, CXCR5 appears to be expressed in a Bcl6-independent manner. Once Bcl6 is highly expressed, Tfh cells can persist in vivo and some of them develop into memory cells. Together, our results indicate Bcl6 as a bona fide marker for Tfh polarized program. Three group of samples, with 2 biological replicates within each group and total of 6 samples were analyzed.
Project description:T follicular helper (Tfh) cells play a pivotal role in germinal center reactions, which requires Bcl6 transcription factor. To analyze their relationships with other effector T cell lineages and their stability in vivo, we developed and analyzed a new Bcl6 reporter mouse alone or together with other lineage reporter systems. Assisted with genome-wide transcriptome analysis, we show substantial plasticity of T cell differentiation in the early phase of immune response. At this stage, CXCR5 appears to be expressed in a Bcl6-independent manner. Once Bcl6 is highly expressed, Tfh cells can persist in vivo and some of them develop into memory cells. Together, our results indicate Bcl6 as a bona fide marker for Tfh polarized program.
Project description:Elevated DNA methylation in the first intronic region of the BCL6 locus in B cell lymphomas enforces transcription of the BCL6 gene Promoter tiling arrays were used to investigate the distribution of DNA methylation near the promoter region of BCL6 locus Comparison of DNA methylation at promoter regions of lymphoma (Raji) and myeloma (H929) cell lines by methylated CpG island recovery assay (MIRA-chip)
Project description:Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphomas worldwide and is characterized by a high diversity of genetic and molecular alterations. Chromosomal translocations and mutations leading to deregulated expression of the transcriptional repressor BCL6 occur in a significant fraction of DLBCL patients. An oncogenic role of BCL6 in the initiation of DLBCL has been shown as the constitutive expression of BCL6 in mice recapitulates the pathogenesis of human DLBCL. However, the role of BCL6 in tumor maintenance remains poorly investigated due to the absence of suitable genetic models and limitations of pharmacological inhibitors. Here, we have utilized tetracycline-inducible CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis to study the consequences of BCL6 deletion in established DLBCL models in culture and in vivo. We show that BCL6 knock-out in SU-DHL-4 cells in vitro results in an anti-proliferative response 4-7 days after Cas9 induction that was characterized by cell cycle (G1) arrest. Conditional BCL6 deletion in established DLBCL tumors in vivo induced a significant tumor growth inhibition with initial tumor stasis followed by slow tumor growth kinetics. Our findings support a role of BCL6 in the maintenance of lymphoma growth and showcase the utility of inducible CRISPR/Cas9 systems for probing oncogene addiction.
Project description:The transcription factor Bcl6 is required for germinal center formation and deregulated expression of Bcl6 has been observed in lymphomas. To gain insight to the function of Bcl6 in terminal differentiation of B cells to plasma cells and to investigate the targets of Bcl6, we established a Bcl6 deficient DT40 B cell line.
Project description:T follicular helper (Tfh) cell is a unique T cell subset specialized in promoting germinal center reactions. Bcl6 has been identified as an obligatory transcription factor in Tfh cells; however, the molecular mechanism underlying Bcl6 function still remains unknown. Here, we combined genome-wide Bcl6 occupancy and transcriptome profiling to systemically analyze Bcl6 targets in Tfh cells. We found that Bcl6 exhibits unique binding preferences in Tfh cells from those in Th9, B cells and macrophage and its binding is closely associated with decrease in 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Importantly, Bcl6 directly binds to the IL-7R/CD127 gene and suppresses its expression. Bcl6 also binds the same sequences recognized by signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 5, downstream of IL-7R. Bcl6 promotes CD127loPDhi Tfh cell differentiation; deletion of the Bcl6 gene in T cells results in enhanced IL-7R-STAT5 signaling and substantial expansion of CD127hiPDlo non-Tfh cells. Our study thus systemically examines Bcl6-controlled regulatory networks and provides novel insights into its biological functions in Tfh cells.