Project description:Resistance to venetoclax-based therapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) includes genetic (i.e., mutations in N/KRAS, FLT3-ITD, TP53) and phenotypic (i.e., monocytic differentiation) features. Whether monocytic differentiation contributes to clinical venetoclax resistance secondary to a genetic bias remains unknown. This multimodal, multicenter, international analysis inclusive of 678 patients comprehensively characterized the prognostic role of monocytic differentiation in AML patients treated with hypomethylating agents combined with venetoclax. AML genetics and monocytic differentiation (HR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.35-2.66, p < 0.001) in NPM1 wild-type cases correlated with an increased risk of death. Clustering of centralized quantitative multiparameter flow cytometry data, evaluation of RNA sequencing-derived AML maturation stage, and single-cell proteogenomics linked driver mutations with AML phenotype and anti-apoptotic gene expression. This comprehensive analysis of AML genetics, phenotype, and anti-apoptotic protein expression highlights the complementary role these factors impart following venetoclax-based therapy.
Project description:Monocytic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) responds poorly to current treatments, including venetoclax-based therapy. We conducted in vivo and in vitro CRISPR/Cas9 library screenings using a mouse monocytic AML model, and identified SETDB1 and its binding partners (ATF7IP and TRIM33) as crucial tumor promoters in vivo. The growth-inhibitory effect of Setdb1 depletion in vivo was mainly dependent on NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, SETDB1 depletion upregulated interferon-stimulated genes and NKG2D ligands through demethylation of histone H3 Lys9 at the monocyte-specific enhancer regions, thereby enhancing their immunogenicity to NK cells and intrinsic apoptosis. Importantly, these effects were not observed in non-monocytic leukemia cells. We also identified the expression of MNDA and its murine counterpart Ifi203 as biomarkers to predict the sensitivity of each AML to SETDB1 depletion. Our study highlights the critical and selective role of SETDB1 in monocytic AML and underscores its potential as a therapeutic target for current unmet needs.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.