JunB is a key regulator of multiple myeloma bone marrow angiogenesis

Leukemia. 2021 Dec;35(12):3509-3525. doi: 10.1038/s41375-021-01271-9. Epub 2021 May 18.

Abstract

Bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis significantly influences disease progression in multiple myeloma (MM) patients and correlates with adverse prognosis. The present study shows a statistically significant correlation of the AP-1 family member JunB with VEGF, VEGFB, and IGF1 expression levels in MM. In contrast to the angiogenic master regulator Hif-1α, JunB protein levels were independent of hypoxia. Results in tumor-cell models that allow the induction of JunB knockdown or JunB activation, respectively, corroborated the functional role of JunB in the production and secretion of these angiogenic factors (AFs). Consequently, conditioned media derived from MM cells after JunB knockdown or JunB activation either inhibited or stimulated in vitro angiogenesis. The impact of JunB on MM BM angiogenesis was finally confirmed in a dynamic 3D model of the BM microenvironment, a xenograft mouse model as well as in patient-derived BM sections. In summary, in continuation of our previous study (Fan et al., 2017), the present report reveals for the first time that JunB is not only a mediator of MM cell survival, proliferation, and drug resistance, but also a promoter of AF transcription and consequently of MM BM angiogenesis. Our results thereby underscore worldwide efforts to target AP-1 transcription factors such as JunB as a promising strategy in MM therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow / blood supply*
  • Bone Marrow / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • Multiple Myeloma / blood supply*
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B / metabolism

Substances

  • IGF1 protein, human
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • JunB protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • VEGFB protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I