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The B cell-specific major raft protein, Raftlin, is necessary for the integrity of lipid raft and BCR signal transduction.

Recent evidence indicates that membrane microdomains, termed lipid rafts, have a role in B-cell activation as platforms for B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signal initiation. To gain an insight into the possible functioning of lipid rafts in B cells, we applied liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) methodologies to the identification of proteins that co-purified with lipid rafts of Raji cells. Among these raft proteins, we characterized a novel protein termed Raftlin (raft-linking protein). Like the Src family kinase, Raftlin is localized exclusively in lipid rafts by fatty acylation of N-terminal Gly2 and Cys3, and is co-localized with BCR before and after BCR stimulation. Disruption of the Raftlin gene in the DT40 B-cell line resulted in a marked reduction in the quantity of lipid raft components, including Lyn and ganglioside GM1, while overexpression of Raftlin increased the content of raft protein. Moreover, BCR-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium mobilization were impaired by the lack of Raftlin and actually potentiated by overexpression of Raftlin. These data suggest that Raftlin plays a pivotal role in the formation and/or maintenance of lipid rafts, therefore regulating BCR-mediated signaling.

Acylation↗

LIME acts as a transmembrane adapter mediating BCR-dependent B-cell activation.

Assembly of a signaling complex around the transmembrane adapter LAT is essential for the transmission of T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling. However, a LAT-like molecule responsible for the initial activation events in B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling has not yet been identified. Here, we show that LIME is a transmembrane adaptor required for BCR-mediated B-cell activation. LIME was found to be expressed in mouse splenic B cells. Upon BCR cross-linking, LIME was tyrosine phosphorylated by Lyn and associated with Lyn, Grb2, PLC-gamma2, and PI3K. Reduction of LIME expression by the introduction of siRNA resulted in the disruption of BCR-mediated activation of MAPK, calcium flux, NF-AT, PI3K, and NF-kappaB. Taken together, these results establish that LIME is an essential transmembrane adaptor linking BCR ligation to the downstream signaling events that lead to B-cell activation.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport↗

Components of the antigen processing and presentation pathway revealed by gene expression microarray analysis following B cell antigen receptor (BCR) stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Activation of naïve B lymphocytes by extracellular ligands, e.g. antigen, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and CD40 ligand, induces a combination of common and ligand-specific phenotypic changes through complex signal transduction pathways. For example, although all three of these ligands induce proliferation, only stimulation through the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) induces apoptosis in resting splenic B cells. In order to define the common and unique biological responses to ligand stimulation, we compared the gene expression changes induced in normal primary B cells by a panel of ligands using cDNA microarrays and a statistical approach, CLASSIFI (Cluster Assignment for Biological Inference), which identifies significant co-clustering of genes with similar Gene Ontology annotation. RESULTS: CLASSIFI analysis revealed an overrepresentation of genes involved in ion and vesicle transport, including multiple components of the proton pump, in the BCR-specific gene cluster, suggesting that activation of antigen processing and presentation pathways is a major biological response to antigen receptor stimulation. Proton pump components that were not included in the initial microarray data set were also upregulated in response to BCR stimulation in follow up experiments. MHC Class II expression was found to be maintained specifically in response to BCR stimulation. Furthermore, ligand-specific internalization of the BCR, a first step in B cell antigen processing and presentation, was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: These observations provide experimental validation of the computational approach implemented in CLASSIFI, demonstrating that CLASSIFI-based gene expression cluster analysis is an effective data mining tool to identify biological processes that correlate with the experimental conditional variables. Furthermore, this analysis has identified at least thirty-eight candidate components of the B cell antigen processing and presentation pathway and sets the stage for future studies focused on a better understanding of the components involved in and unique to B cell antigen processing and presentation.

Algorithms↗

Effects of 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) on pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with respect to Bcr-Abl status and imatinib mesylate sensitivity.

As more and more effective targeted therapeutics have been developed to treat adults with cancer, it is of critical importance to devise appropriate in vitro experimental models to study their use in pediatric patients. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with Bcr-Abl translocation is one of the most difficult to treat and deadly diseases in children. The targeted kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate has been shown to induce an initial response but resistance often develops. Recently, the geldanamycin family of antibiotics has been found to induce apoptosis in many malignant cells, including adult CML and AML. We describe experiments in which 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) was evaluated in the context of Bcr-Abl and resistance to imatinib mesylate. Pediatric ALL cell lines with varying Bcr-Abl status and imatinib mesylate sensitivity were generated and their growth inhibition by 17-AAG was studied in vitro. Western blots were used to follow the changes in proteins that correlate with cell survival. Results show that apoptosis was induced in all lines with an increased 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) for Bcr-Abl positive but imatinib mesylate-resistant cells. Addition of 17-AAG greatly increased imatinib sensitivity in vitro. A decrease in p53, survivin, Her2/neu, and WT1 was seen in cells that expressed these proteins. With some notable exceptions, when combined with 17-AAG, the IC50 of most of the common chemotherapeutic agents decreased. We describe an experimental approach to investigate the complex interaction between Bcr-Abl status, imatinib mesylate sensitivity, and 17-AAG in pediatric ALL. Information from such an approach will provide means to devise combined treatment approaches and to follow their effectiveness in vitro.

Adult↗

Cotreatment with STI-571 enhances tumor necrosis factor alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL or apo-2L)-induced apoptosis of Bcr-Abl-positive human acute leukemia cells.

Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI-571 induces differentiation and apoptosis of HL-60/Bcr-Abl (with ectopic expression of p190 Bcr-Abl) and K562 (with endogenous expression of p210 Bcr-Abl) cells (Blood, 96: 2246-2253, 2000). Cotreatment with STI-571 partially overcomes the resistance to antileukemic drug-induced apoptosis of HL-60/Bcr-Abl and K562 cells. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (Apo-2L/TRAIL), after binding with its signaling death receptors (DR4 and DR5), triggers the intrinsic "mitochondrial" pathway of apoptosis more efficiently in the cancer than do normal cells. In the present studies, we compared the apoptotic effects of Apo-2L/TRAIL, with or without cotreatment with STI-571, in HL-60/neo, HL-60/Bcr-Abl, and K562 cells. As compared with HL-60/neo, HL-60/Bcr-Abl and K562 cells are relatively resistant to Apo-2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In HL-60/Bcr-Abl and K562 versus HL-60/neo cells, Apo-2L/TRAIL caused less cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome c and the processing of caspase-9 and -3. This was also associated with decreased processing of caspase-8, c-FLIP(L) and Bid. Reduced effects of Apo-2L/TRAIL in Bcr-Abl-positive leukemic cells were not attributable to diminished expression of DR4 and DR5, or higher expressions of the decoy receptors DcR1 and -2 or c-FLIP(L). Cotreatment with STI-571 significantly enhanced Apo-2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis (P < 0.01) as well as increased the processing of caspase-9 and -3 and XIAP, without affecting the levels of DR4, DR5, decoy receptors, or c-FLIP(L). Cotreatment with STI-571 did not enhance Apo-2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis of HL-60/neo cells. These studies suggest that a combined treatment with STI-571 may be an effective strategy to selectively sensitize Bcr-Abl-positive leukemic blasts to Apo-2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Annexin A5↗

Cooperative interaction of Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) of the BCR regulates the kinetics and specificity of antigen targeting.

Following the binding of antigens, the BCR transduces signals and internalizes antigens for processing and presentation, both of which are required for initiating an effective antibody response. The BCR, consisting of membrane Ig and Ig(alpha)/Ig(beta) heterodimer, facilitates antigen processing by accelerating antigen targeting to the processing compartment. Previous reports showed that Ig(alpha) or Ig(beta) alone is competent for internalizing antigens. However, both Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) are required for BCR-enhanced antigen presentation. Using chimeric proteins containing the extracellular and transmembrane domains of human platelet-derived growth factor receptor fused with the cytoplasmic domain of Ig(alpha) or Ig(beta), we studied the roles of the cytoplasmic tails of Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) in BCR-mediated antigen transport. The Ig(beta) chimera rapidly moves through the endocytic pathway to lysosomes, while the Ig(alpha) chimera slows down this movement. The Ig(alpha), but not the Ig(beta) chimera, is required for an increase in the turnover rate of the chimeras in response to stimulation. Only when Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) chimeras are co-expressed do the chimeras rapidly and specifically target antigens to the processing compartment. These findings suggest that Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) play distinct roles in BCR trafficking, and the cooperative interaction of Ig(alpha) and Ig(beta) controls and regulates the kinetics and specificity of antigen targeting.

Animals↗

The bcr gene in Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and in a percentage of childhood and adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) the Philadelphia (Ph') chromosome is present in the leukemic cells of patients. This chromosome is the result of a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. In CML the break on chromosome 22 occurs within the major breakpoint cluster region (Mbcr) of the bcr gene. In this study, we report on the examination of DNAs from nine Ph'-chromosome positive ALL patients for rearrangements within the bcr gene using Southern blot analysis. Of nine patients having a karyotypically identifiable Ph'-chromosome, only five exhibited rearrangements of the bcr gene. This could indicate that in ALL, chromosome 22 sequences other than the bcr gene are involved in the Ph'-translocation. Within the group of Ph'-positive ALL patients having a bcr gene breakpoint, a correlation appears to exist between the age of the patient and the location of the breakpoint within the gene: all or the vast majority of pediatric patients analyzed to date do not have a Mbcr breakpoint as found in CML and in adult ALL.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of the translocation breakpoint in a patient with Philadelphia positive, bcr negative acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Approximately 5% of children and 10-20% of adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) have a chromosome translocation t(9;22) which at the cytogenetic level appears identical to that in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). The t(9;22) translocation was first recognised in CML patients by its 22q- or Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. While all Ph positive CML patients so far described have a chromosome 22 breakpoint within the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) located in the 3' part of the phl gene, only some Ph positive ALL patients have breakpoints in bcr. We have cloned the breakpoint of the 9q+ chromosome from the DNA of a Ph positive ALL patient in whom there is no breakpoint in the bcr. The non-chromosome 9 sequences of the breakpoint region are shown to be derived from chromosome 22. The breakpoint in chromosome 22 is shown to be the first intron of the phl gene about 66kb upstream of the bcr. Using probes from this intron, rearrangements were detected in the DNA of two out of twelve additional Ph positive, bcr negative ALL patients.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22↗

Effect of recombinant alpha-interferon on the expression of the bcr-abl fusion gene in human chronic myelogenous human leukemia cell lines.

Recent investigations have shown a therapeutic and cytogenetic response in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients treated with recombinant alpha 2-interferon (IFN alpha 2). Philadelphia chromosome-positive (and many Ph1-negative) chronic myelogenous leukemia cells transcribe a novel bcr-abl fusion mRNA which may confer a growth advantage upon these cells. We investigated the effect of IFN alpha 2 on the levels of bcr-abl transcript expression in three Ph1-positive CML cell lines, EM2, KCL22, and K562. Although IFN alpha 2 inhibited cell proliferation in all three CML cell lines, IFN alpha 2 had no effect on the level of bcr-abl mRNA expression in any of the CML cell lines. In contrast, IFN alpha 2 increased the expression of class I HLA gene products. We conclude that while the bcr-abl fusion gene and its transcript undoubtedly play key roles in the pathogenesis of CML, the antiproliferative effect of IFN alpha 2 in CML cell lines relies upon genetic mechanisms other than modulation of bcr-abl expression.

Cell Division↗

Chronic myelogenous leukemia with e13a3 (b2a3) type of BCR-ABL transcript having a DNA breakpoint between ABL exons a2 and a3.

We describe a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), in whom the DNA breakpoint in the BCR-ABL fusion gene was determined to result in a rare e13a3 (b2a3) transcript. The breakpoint in BCR was intron 13, which was 30 bp downstream from exon 13, and the breakpoint in ABL was intron 2, and was 46 bp downstream from exon a2. This case conforms to the mechanism of DNA breakage occurring within ABL intron 2, but not at 5' to ABL exon a2. With our review of this case and the literature, it seems that CML with the BCR-a3 fusion product is associated with a low proportion of circulating immature cells, mild or lack of splenomegaly, slow progressiveness, rather resistance to IFN-alpha, and good response to imatinib mesylate. This is the first report of BCR-a3-type CML in which the exact DNA breakpoint was identified and located between exons a2 and a3 of the ABL gene.

Chromosome Breakage↗

Second case of CML with aberrant BCR-ABL fusion transcript (e8/a2) with insertion of an inverted ABL intron 1b sequence.

We found a case of Ph-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patient with an atypical BCR-ABL transcript that was undetectable by a routine reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for major BCR-ABL. Additional RT-PCR and sequence analyses have demonstrated that the aberrant transcript consists of a fusion of BCR exon 8 (e8) and ABL exon 2 (a2) with an insertion of a 55-bp inverted sequence of intron 1b between them. The nucleotide sequences of the aberrant transcript were identical to those of a previously reported CML patient. These are the only two CML cases in the literature with identical aberrant BCR-ABL transcripts.

Aged↗

A complex chromosome rearrangement forms the BCR-ABL fusion gene in leukemic cells with a normal karyotype.

Chromosome in situ hybridization studies showed that the normal karyotype of leukemic cells from a patient with Ph1-negative, BCR-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) concealed a complex t(9;22;20)(q34;q11;p13). The close association of 5'-BCR and 3'-ABL was demonstrated by field inversion gel electrophoresis, and in situ hybridization showed that BCR-ABL was located on the short arm of chromosome 20. Our findings further indicate that chromosome rearrangement is the cause of BCR-ABL gene fusion in leukemic cells that show a normal karyotype. Results from in situ hybridization studies were consistent with formation of the t(9;22;20) by a two step chromosomal rearrangement, but field inversion gel electrophoresis results indicated a more complex rearrangement.

Aged↗

Molecular confirmation of BCR-ABL fusion in a chronic myeloid leukemia with a complex translocation involving chromosomes 9, 15, and 22.

We performed molecular studies to resolve the status of BCR and ABL in the bone marrow cells of a CML patient with a Ph chromosome resulting from a complex translocation involving chromosomes 9, 15, and 22. DNA digestion with BamHI, HindIII, and BglII, followed by hybridization to a bcr-specific 32P-labeled probe, showed a rearranged banding pattern confirming the involvement of the bcr locus in the translocation. Furthermore, total cellular RNA isolated from the marrow was subjected to reverse transcription into cDNA and amplified by PCR with primers specific for BCR-ABL fusion cDNA. The amplified products obtained from this patient and from a CML patient with the standard t(9;22) were both of the expected length of approximately 317 bp.

Adult↗

bcr-abl, the hallmark of chronic myeloid leukaemia in man, induces multiple haemopoietic neoplasms in mice.

The chromosome translocation forming the hybrid bcr-abl gene is thought to be the initiating event in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and some cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. To assess the impact of bcr-abl upon haemopoiesis, lethally irradiated mice were reconstituted with bone marrow cells enriched for cycling stem cells and infected with a bcr-abl bearing retrovirus. The mice developed several fatal diseases with abnormal accumulations of macrophage, erythroid, mast and lymphoid cells, and marked strain differences in disease distribution and kinetics. Some mice exhibited more than one neoplastic cell type and, in some instances, these were clonally related, indicating that a progenitor or stem cell had been transformed. While classical CML was not observed, the macrophage tumours were accompanied by a mild CML-like syndrome, probably due to myeloid growth factor production by tumour cells. The erythroid and mast cell diseases were rarely transplantable, in contrast to the macrophage tumours and lymphomas, but all disease types displayed limited clonality. These results establish that bcr-abl confers a proliferative advantage on diverse haemopoietic cells but complete transformation probably involves additional genetic changes.

Animals↗

Antisense inhibition of P210 bcr-abl in chronic myeloid leukemia.

The evidence that the bcr-abl gene product (P210) of the Philadelphia chromosome plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and the absence of the bcr-abl fused transcript in non-malignant cells makes this messenger RNA an ideal candidate for antisense strategies in CML. To inhibit the expression of the bcr-abl gene, and to try to eradicate Philadelphia-positive cells, different methods can be used: 1) the introduction into the cells of antisense oligonucleotides, 2) the use of specific ribozymes, or 3) the transduction, using retroviral vectors, of stably integrated sequences coding for antisense RNA. Each of these approaches has potential advantages and drawbacks that are discussed below. Although many data emerge that support the use of anti-bcr-abl antisense molecules in CML, numerous questions remain to be completely answered before the most efficient strategy can be designed, either for in vitro or in vivo purposes.

Animals↗

bcr rearrangement and C-abl gene expression in Ph1-positive hybrid acute leukemia with simultaneous proliferation of lymphoid and myeloid blasts.

bcr gene rearrangement and c-abl gene expression were analyzed in a patient with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-positive hybrid acute leukemia with simultaneous proliferation of lymphoid and myeloid blasts. These data were compared with those from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in mixed crisis. The leukemic cells of both patients showed immuno-phenotypic profiles such as non-T, non-B common ALL with some MPO-positive leukemic cells and rearranged JH genes. On analysis of molecular events associated with the Ph1 chromosome, the leukemic cells of a patient with CML in mixed crisis showed bcr rearrangement and an 8.5-kb bcr-abl chimeric mRNA, but those of a patient with Ph1-positive hybrid acute leukemia showed no 8.5-kb bcr-abl mRNA, as previously reported in a number of Ph1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases. These results revealed that the molecular event found in Ph1-positive ALL is not only restricted to lymphoid lineage but may play an important role in the proliferation of the myeloid lineage.

Adult↗

Preliminary study on bcr rearrangement in leukemia.

Southern blot analysis was conducted in 15 patients by using a 1.2 Kb Hind III/Bgl II fragment from the 3' end of the bcr region and a 2.0 Kb Bgl II/Hind III fragment from the 5' end of the bcr as probes. Of the 15 patients in our group, 11 with chronic, myelocytic leukemia (CML), 3 with Ph-negative acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), one with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Bcr rearrangements were detected in 9 patients with CML and were negative in the rest of the patients. The results showed that the identification of bcr rearrangement was very important in the diagnosis of Ph-positive leukemias.

Adolescent↗

Correlation between BCR-ABL expression and tumor burden is restricted to the transition from minor to major cytogenetic response in interferon treated CML patients.

The interferon treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia has been monitored by investigating the tumour burden as revealed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and the expression of BCR-ABL chimera determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. These parameters were obtained from the peripheral blood of 51 untreated and 104 follow-up patient samples. Poor correlation (r=0.31) was found between BCR-ABL expression and tumor load in all samples as well as in untreated patients, and this correlation was even less in all follow-up cases (r=0.28). Regarding chimera expression five order of magnitude difference existed in the untreated patients and this value dropped to two in those with complete cytogenetic response. Only the major and the complete cytogenetic response groups differed significantly (p<0.001) in the BCR-ABL expression from that of patients at diagnosis. Among the different cytogenetic response groups the only significant difference (p<0.01) in the BCRABL expression was obtained between the major and the minor responders. In the individual patients not only correlated changes of residual tumour mass and chimera expression, but mainly independent changes of these two parameters were observed. This indicates that the BCR-ABL expression and the tumor burden are largely independent variables.

Antineoplastic Agents↗