Bhumika Sharma

Loss of the SdhB, but Not the SdhA, Subunit of Complex II Triggers Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Activation and Tumorigenesis

ABSTRACT Mitochondrial complex II is a tumor suppressor comprised of four subunits (SdhA, SdhB, SdhC, and SdhD). Mutations in any of these should disrupt complex II enzymatic activity, yet defects in SdhA produce bioenergetic deficiency while defects in SdhB, SdhC, or SdhD induce tumor formation. The mechanisms underlying these differences are not known. We show that the inhibition of distal subunits of complex II, either pharmacologically or via RNA interference of SdhB, increases normoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, increases hypoxia-inducible factor alpha (HIF-α) stabilization in an ROS-dependent manner, and increases growth rates in vitro and in vivo without affecting hypoxia-mediated activation of HIF-α. Proximal pharmacologic inhibition or RNA interference of complex II at SdhA, however, does not increase normoxic ROS production or HIF-α stabilization and results in decreased growth rates in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the enhanced growth rates resulting from SdhB suppression are inhibited by the suppression of HIF-1α and/or HIF-2α, indicating that the mechanism of SdhB-induced tumor formation relies upon ROS production and subsequent HIF-α activation. Therefore, differences in ROS production, HIF proliferation, and cell proliferation contribute to the differences in tumor phenotype in cells lacking SdhB as opposed to those lacking SdhA.

Autophagic degradation of the BCR-ABL oncoprotein and generation of antileukemic responses by arsenic trioxide

We provide evidence that arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) targets the BCR-ABL oncoprotein via a novel mechanism involving p62/SQSTM1-mediated localization of the oncoprotein to the autolysosomes and subsequent degradation mediated by the protease cathepsin B. Our studies demonstrate that inhibitors of autophagy or cathepsin B activity and/or molecular targeting of p62/SQSTM1, Atg7, or cathepsin B result in partial reversal of the suppressive effects of AS(2)O(3) on BCR-ABL expressing leukemic progenitors, including primitive leukemic precursors from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. Altogether, these findings indicate that autophagic degradation of BCR-ABL is critical for the induction of the antileukemic effects of As(2)O(3) and raise the potential for future therapeutic approaches to target BCR-ABL expressing cells by modulating elements of the autophagic machinery to promote BCR-ABL degradation.

Sprouty Proteins Are Negative Regulators of Interferon (IFN) Signaling and IFN-inducible Biological Responses

Background: The potential involvement of Spry proteins in IFN signaling is unknown. Results: Type I IFN treatment results in up-regulation of Spry proteins, which negatively control generation of IFN responses. Conclusion: Spry proteins play important regulatory roles in IFN signaling and the generation of the biological effects of IFNs. Significance: This study provides evidence for the existence of a key signaling pathway that controls IFN responses. Interferons (IFNs) have important antiviral and antineoplastic properties, but the precise mechanisms required for generation of these responses remain to be defined. We provide evidence that during engagement of the Type I IFN receptor (IFNR), there is up-regulation of expression of Sprouty (Spry) proteins 1, 2, and 4. Our studies demonstrate that IFN-inducible up-regulation of Spry proteins is Mnk kinase-dependent and results in suppressive effects on the IFN-activated p38 MAP kinase (MAPK), the function of which is required for transcription of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Our data establish that ISG15 mRNA expression and IFN-dependent antiviral responses are enhanced in Spry1,2,4 triple knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts, consistent with negative feedback regulatory roles for Spry proteins in IFN-mediated signaling. In other studies, we found that siRNA-mediated knockdown of Spry1, Spry2, or Spry4 promotes IFN-inducible antileukemic effects in vitro and results in enhanced suppressive effects on malignant hematopoietic progenitors from patients with polycythemia vera. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that Spry proteins are potent regulators of Type I IFN signaling and negatively control induction of Type I IFN-mediated biological responses.

Essential Role for Mnk Kinases in Type II Interferon (IFNγ) Signaling and Its Suppressive Effects on Normal Hematopoiesis

IFNγ exhibits potent antitumor effects and plays important roles in the innate immunity against cancer. However, the mechanisms accounting for the antiproliferative effects of IFNγ still remain to be elucidated. We examined the role of Mnk1 (MAPK-interacting protein kinase 1) in IFNγ signaling. Our data demonstrate that IFNγ treatment of sensitive cells results in engagement of Mnk1, activation of its kinase domain, and downstream phosphorylation of the cap-binding protein eIF4E on Ser-209. Such engagement of Mnk1 plays an important role in IFNγ-induced IRF-1 (IFN regulatory factor 1) gene mRNA translation/protein expression and is essential for generation of antiproliferative responses. In studies aimed to determine the role of Mnk1 in the induction of the suppressive effects of IFNs on primitive hematopoietic progenitors, we found that siRNA-mediated Mnk1/2 knockdown results in partial reversal of the suppressive effects of IFNγ on human CD34+-derived myeloid (CFU-GM) and erythroid (BFU-E) progenitors. These findings establish a key role for the Mnk/eIF4E pathway in the regulatory effects of IFNγ on normal hematopoiesis and identify Mnk kinases as important elements in the control of IFNγ-inducible ISG mRNA translation.

Protein Kinase R as Mediator of the Effects of Interferon (IFN) γ and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) α on Normal and Dysplastic Hematopoiesis

IFNγ and TNFα are potent inhibitors of hematopoiesis and have been implicated in the pathophysiology of bone marrow failure and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We examined the role of protein kinase R (PKR) in the generation of the inhibitory effects of these myelosuppressive cytokines on hematopoiesis. Our data demonstrate that PKR is rapidly phosphorylated/activated in response to engagement of IFNγ or TNFα receptors in normal human hematopoietic progenitors. Such engagement of PKR is important for the suppressive effects of these cytokines on normal hematopoiesis. Pharmacological targeting of PKR using a specific inhibitor or siRNA-mediated PKR knockdown results in partial reversal of the suppressive effects of IFNγ and TNFα on normal human CD34+-derived myeloid (colony-forming unit-granulocyte-monocytic) and erythroid (burst-forming unit-erythroid) progenitors. Importantly, inhibition of PKR activity or expression increases hematopoietic colony formation from human MDS progenitors, suggesting that drugs that target PKR may provide a novel approach for the treatment of MDS and marrow failure syndromes. Altogether, our data establish that beyond its key role in the induction of IFN-antiviral responses, PKR plays important roles in signaling for IFNγ and other myelosuppressive cytokine receptors as a common mediator of signals for hematopoietic suppression.

Regulatory Effects of Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4) Protein in Interferon (IFN)-Stimulated Gene Expression and Generation of Type I IFN Responses

ABSTRACT The precise mechanisms by which the activation of interferon (IFN) receptors (IFNRs) ultimately controls mRNA translation of specific target genes to induce IFN-dependent biological responses remain ill defined. We provide evidence that IFN-α induces phosphorylation of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) protein on Ser67. This IFN-α-dependent phosphorylation is mediated by either the p70 S6 kinase (S6K) or the p90 ribosomal protein S6K (RSK) in a cell-type-specific manner. IFN-dependent phosphorylation of PDCD4 results in downregulation of PDCD4 protein levels as the phosphorylated form of PDCD4 interacts with the ubiquitin ligase β-TRCP (β-transducin repeat-containing protein) and undergoes degradation. This process facilitates IFN-induced eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) activity and binding to translation initiation factor eIF4G to promote mRNA translation. Our data establish that PDCD4 degradation ultimately facilitates expression of several ISG protein products that play important roles in the generation of IFN responses, including IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), p21WAF1/CIP1, and Schlafen 5 (SLFN5). Moreover, engagement of the RSK/PDCD4 pathway by the type I IFNR is required for the suppressive effects of IFN-α on normal CD34+ hematopoietic precursors and for antileukemic effects in vitro. Altogether, these findings provide evidence for a unique function of PDCD4 in the type I IFN system and indicate a key regulatory role for this protein in mRNA translation of ISGs and control of IFN responses.

Critical Roles for Rictor/Sin1 Complexes in Interferon-dependent Gene Transcription and Generation of Antiproliferative Responses

Background: The precise roles for Rictor/Sin1 complexes in IFN signaling remain to be defined. Results: Targeted disruption Rictor/Sin1 results in defects in activation of elements of Stat pathways. These proteins are required for IFN antineoplastic effects on malignant erythroid precursors. Conclusion: Rictor/Sin1 play critical roles in IFN signaling. Significance: This study provides evidence for a key mechanism for gene regulation associated with generation of IFN antineoplastic responses. We provide evidence that type I IFN-induced STAT activation is diminished in cells with targeted disruption of the Rictor gene, whose protein product is a key element of mTOR complex 2. Our studies show that transient or stable knockdown of Rictor or Sin1 results in defects in activation of elements of the STAT pathway and reduced STAT-DNA binding complexes. This leads to decreased expression of several IFN-inducible genes that mediate important biological functions. Our studies also demonstrate that Rictor and Sin1 play essential roles in the generation of the suppressive effects of IFNα on malignant erythroid precursors from patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Altogether, these findings provide evidence for critical functions for Rictor/Sin1 complexes in type I IFN signaling and the generation of type I IFN antineoplastic responses.

Essential role for the Mnk-pathway in the inhibitory effects of Type I interferons on myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) precursors

Background: The mechanisms by which IFNs generate antineoplastic responses remain to be defined. Results: Type I IFN treatment results in activation of the Mnk/eIF4E pathway in Jak2V617F-transformed cells, and this activation is required for the antineoplastic effect. Conclusion: Mnk kinases are essential for the antineoplastic effects of IFN. Significance: This study provides evidence for a key mechanism mediating the effects of IFNs in malignant MPN precursors. The mechanisms of generation of the antineoplastic effects of interferons (IFNs) in malignant hematopoietic cells remain to be precisely defined. We examined the activation of type I IFN-dependent signaling pathways in malignant cells transformed by Jak2V617F, a critical pathogenic mutation in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Our studies demonstrate that during engagement of the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR), there is activation of Jak-Stat pathways and also engagement of Mnk kinases. Activation of Mnk kinases is regulated by the Mek/Erk pathway and is required for the generation of IFN-induced growth inhibitory responses, but Mnk kinase activation does not modulate IFN-regulated Jak-Stat signals. We demonstrate that for type I IFNs to exert suppressive effects in malignant hematopoietic progenitors from patients with polycythemia vera, induction of Mnk kinase activity is required, as evidenced by studies involving pharmacological inhibition of Mnk or siRNA-mediated Mnk knockdown. Altogether, these findings provide evidence for key and essential roles of the Mnk kinase pathway in the generation of the antineoplastic effects of type I IFNs in Jak2V617F-dependent MPNs.

Abstract LB-81: Autophagic degradation of BCR/ABL by arsenic trioxide and the role of cysteine cathepsins

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Autophagy is increasingly an area of high potential therapeutic interest in hematopoietic malignancies, but its precise involvement in the control of leukemic cell growth and survival remain to be defined. We provide evidence that arsenic trioxide (As2O3) targets the BCR-ABL oncoprotein for degradation via autophagy, involving the p62/SQSTM1 and the protease cathepsin B. Utilizing either florescence probes or gold-conjugate antibodies we show co-localization of BCR-ABL and p62/SQSTM1 in autolysosomes. Also, by drug inhibition of either autophagy or cathepsin B, or by molecularly targeting p62/SQSMT1, Atg7 or cathepsin B, we documented reversal of the suppressive effect of As2O3 on BCR-ABL expressing cells, including primitive leukemic precursors from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. Altogether, our data indicate that autophagy-induced degradation of BCR-ABL is critical for the generation of As2O3 antileukemic effects. These results raise the potential of targeting the autophagic machinery to enhance the antileukemic properties of arsenic trioxide on leukemia initiating stem cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-81. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-81