IKAROS isoform 6 enhances BCR-ABL1-mediated proliferation of human CD34+ hematopoietic cells on stromal cells

Int J Oncol. 2012 Jan;40(1):53-62. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2011.1192. Epub 2011 Sep 7.

Abstract

The BCR-ABL1 induces chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Recent studies revealed high ratios of loss of the IKZF1 gene which encodes IKAROS in BCR-ABL1+ ALL and lymphoblastic crisis (LBC) of CML. However, little is known about the cooperativity between the aberrant IKAROS and BCR-ABL1 in primary human hematopoietic cells. We investigated the effects of expression of BCR-ABL1 and/or IK6, a natural dominant negative isoform of IKAROS, on proliferation and differentiation of human CD34+ cord blood cells with or without human bone marrow-derived stromal cells which support early B cell differentiation. Cell proliferation was remarkably enhanced by co-expression of BCR-ABL1 and IK6, with reduced expression of glycophorin A and increased expression of CD41, especially on stromal cells, compared with expression of BCR-ABL1 alone that resulted in expansion of erythroid progenitors. Interestingly, p190BCR-ABL1 showed higher dependency on stromal cells to stimulate cell growth with IK6, than p210BCR-ABL1. Furthermore, the cooperation was found to depend on direct cell adhesive interaction of hematopoietic progenitors with stromal cells. These findings suggest that IK6 and BCR-ABL1 synergistically contribute to leukemogenesis in human bone marrow stromal microenvironment, and may provide a clue to elucidate the mechanisms of leukemogenesis of Ph+ ALL and CML-LBC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD34 / biosynthesis*
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Fetal Blood / cytology
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / biosynthesis*
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / genetics
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ikaros Transcription Factor / biosynthesis*
  • Ikaros Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Stromal Cells / cytology*
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • IKZF1 protein, human
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Ikaros Transcription Factor
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl