PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ isoforms have distinct functions in regulating pro-tumoural signalling in the multiple myeloma microenvironment

Blood Cancer J. 2017 Mar 10;7(3):e539. doi: 10.1038/bcj.2017.16.

Abstract

Phosphoinositide-3-kinase and protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) is upregulated in multiple myeloma (MM). Using a combination of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentivirus-mediated knockdown and pharmacologic isoform-specific inhibition we investigated the role of the PI3K p110γ (PI3Kγ) subunit in regulating MM proliferation and bone marrow microenvironment-induced MM interactions. We compared this with inhibition of the PI3K p110δ (PI3kδ) subunit and with combined PI3kδ/γ dual inhibition. We found that MM cell adhesion and migration were PI3Kγ-specific functions, with PI3kδ inhibition having no effect in MM adhesion or migration assays. At concentration of the dual PI3Kδ/γ inhibitor duvelisib, which can be achieved in vivo we saw a decrease in AKT phosphorylation at s473 after tumour activation by bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and interleukin-6. Moreover, after drug treatment of BMSC/tumour co-culture activation assays only dual PI3kδ/γ inhibition was able to induce MM apoptosis. shRNA lentiviral-mediated targeting of either PI3Kδ or PI3Kγ alone, or both in combination, increased survival of NSG mice xeno-transplanted with MM cells. Moreover, treatment with duvelisib reduced MM tumour burden in vivo. We report that PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ isoforms have distinct functions in MM and that combined PI3kδ/γ isoform inhibition has anti-MM activity. Here we provide a scientific rationale for trials of dual PI3kδ/γ inhibition in patients with MM.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism*
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Subunits
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Tumor Microenvironment*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Subunits
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • PIK3CD protein, human
  • PIK3CG protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt