Stuart Rudikoff

Wnt signaling in B-cell neoplasia

Wnts comprise a family of secreted proteins that interact with receptors consisting of a Frizzled (Fz) family member alone or complexed with LDL receptor-related proteins (LRP5/6). Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in both development and differentiation, and activation of a ‘canonical’ Wnt pathway resulting in β-catenin stabilization is associated with several types of human cancers. To date, little is known about potential Wnt signaling in mature lymphocytes or lymphoid neoplasia. Herein, we have analysed Wnt signaling in mature B cells (lymphomas) and plasma cells (multiple myeloma). Both Fz and LRP5/6 mRNAs were expressed in myeloma lines, but LRP5/6 were not observed in lymphomas. In myelomas, a canonical Wnt signaling pathway was activated following treatment with Wnt-3a as assessed by accumulation of β-catenin, but β-catenin levels actually decreased in lymphoma cells. Wnt-3a treatment further led to striking morphological changes in myeloma cells accompanied by rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Morphological changes were associated with a second Wnt pathway dependent on Rho activation. These results suggest that Wnt responsiveness is a stage-specific phenomenon in B-cell development and that the morphological changes associated with Wnt signaling may play a role in the motility and metastatic potential of myeloma cells.

Classification of mouse VK groups based on the partial amino acid sequence to the first invariant tryptophan: Impact of 14 new sequences from IgG myeloma proteins

Fourteen new VK sequences derived from BALB/c IgG myeloma proteins were determined to the first invariant tryptophan (Trp 35). These partial sequences were compared with 65 other published VK sequences using a computer program. The 79 sequences were organized according to the length of the sequence from the amino terminus to the first invariant tryptophan (Trp 35), into seven groups (33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40 and 41aa). A distance matrix of all 79 sequences was then computed, i.e. the number of amino acid substitutions necessary to convert one sequence to another was determined. From these data a dendrogram was constructed. Most of the VK sequences fell into clusters or closely related groups. The definition of a sequence group is arbitrary but facilitates the classification of VK proteins. We used 12 substitutions as the basis for defining a sequence group based on the known number of substitutions that are found in the VK21 proteins. By this criterion there were 18 groups in the Trp 35 dendrogram. Twelve of the 14 new sequences fell into one of these sequence groups; two formed new sequence groups. Collective amino acid sequencing is still encountering new VK structures indicating more sequences will be required to attain an accurate estimate of the total number of VK groups. Updated dendrograms can be quickly generated to include newly generated sequences.

Dkk1-induced inhibition of Wnt signaling in osteoblast differentiation is an underlying mechanism of bone loss in multiple myeloma ☆

Expression of the Wnt signaling inhibitor, DKK1 by multiple myeloma cells is correlated with lytic bone disease in multiple myeloma. However, the mechanism(s) by which DKK1 contributes to this process is not clear. Herein, we analyzed the functional role of canonical Wnt signaling and Dkk1 inhibition of this pathway in bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-2-induced osteoblast differentiation. Osteoblast differentiation was measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in murine (C2C12) and human pre-osteoblast (hFOB1.19) and osteoblast-like (Saos-2 and MG63) cell lines. Cytoplasmic beta-catenin protein was separated by E-cadherin-GST pull-down assay and analyzed by Western blotting. A dominant negative form of beta-catenin, Dkk1 and TCF reporter constructs were transfected into C2C12 cells. C2C12 cells were also transfected with siRNA specific to LRP5/6 to knockdown receptor expression. Canonical Wnt signaling was activated in these cell lines in response to Wnt3a as assessed by increased cytoplasmic, non-phosphorylated beta-catenin and TCF/LEF transcription activity. Recombinant Dkk1 and plasma from MM patients containing high levels of Dkk1 blocked Wnt3a-induced beta-catenin accumulation. Importantly, Dkk1 abrogated BMP-2 mediated osteoblast differentiation. The requirement for Wnt signaling in osteoblast differentiation was confirmed by the following observations: 1) overexpression of Dkk1 decreased endogenous beta-catenin and ALP activity; 2) silencing of Wnt receptor mRNAs blocked ALP activity; and 3) a dominant negative form of beta-catenin eliminated BMP-2-induced ALP activity. Furthermore, Wnt3a did not increase ALP activity nor did BMP-2 treatment result in beta-catenin stabilization indicating that cooperation between these two pathways is required, but they are not co-regulated by either ligand. These studies have revealed that autocrine Wnt signaling in osteoblasts is necessary to promote BMP-2-mediated differentiation of pre-osteoblast cells, while Wnt signaling alone is not capable of inducing such differentiation. Dkk1 inhibits this process and may be a key factor regulating pre-osteoblast differentiation and myeloma bone disease.

Structural basis for the specificity of phosphorylcholine-binding immunoglobulins.

Abstract Correlation of complementarity region heavy chain sequences of several mouse phosphorylcholine-binding immunoglobulins with the known three-dimensional structure of the hapten binding cavity in one of them (M603) reveals the physical-chemical nature of the interaction between protein and ligand. Differences in the hapten binding properties of the various proteins considered can be explained by the observed variations in the primary sequences of the complementarity regions.

Immunoglobulin Structure-Function Correlates: Antigen Binding and Idiotypes

During the past few years our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the generation of antibody diversity has greatly increased from studies of monoclonal antibodies (hybridomas) and the use of recombinant DNA technology. While much attention has appropriately been focused on these developments, it is nonetheless surprising how little we actually know about the function of these molecules at the molecular level. Since we assume that the primary role of antibodies is to bind antigens, it is obvious that a detailed analysis of this process is essential to an understanding of the mechanisms by which antibodies carry out their biological functions.

Expression of PTEN in PTEN-deficient multiple myeloma cells abolishes tumor growth in vivo.

Biochemical abnormalities associated with the development of multiple myeloma have been difficult to define especially in terms of demonstrating an in vivo effect of suspected lesions. Herein, we have identified such a defect associated with lack of expression of PTEN, a cellular phosphatase involved in the regulation of phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs). In myeloma cells, PIPs are required for phosphorylation of Akt, a key event leading to inhibition of apoptosis. Loss of PTEN results in a failure to de-phosphorylate PIPs and a corresponding increase in Akt phosphorylation. OPM-2 cells lacking PTEN expression have the highest level of Akt phosphorylation of eight lines examined. Loss of PTEN was found to be associated with a 630 bp deletion corresponding to amino acids 56–267. Ectopic expression of wild type PTEN in OPM-2 cells inhibited Akt phosphorylation which was correlated with an increase in apoptosis. The in vivo relevance of loss of PTEN expression was demonstrated by injecting control and wild type PTEN transfected OPM-2 cells into SCID mice. Tumors arose at an incidence of 100% in controls, but only 50% (and of smaller size and longer latency) in low PTEN expressing clones. Importantly, clones expressing high levels of PTEN failed to produce tumors even at five times the latency period of controls. These results demonstrate that PTEN deletion/mutation is responsible for in vivo growth of this tumor and suggests that PTEN regulation may play an important role in tumor development in a subset of multiple myeloma patients.

Characterization of a new subfamily of class I genes in the H-2 complex of the mouse

A previously undescribed subfamily of mouse class I MHC genes, consisting of two to three members, has been identified. The structure and organization of one of these, Mb1, has been determined. Mb1, consists of five exons with open reading frames and potentially encodes a class I-like transmembrane protein. In the genome, Mb1 is linked to the H-2 complex, mapping telomeric to Qa. However, this gene has low (ca. 60%) nucleotide identity with other class I sequences and is no more related to mouse class I genes than to class I genes from other species. Mb1 transcripts have not been found in a variety of adult tissues or cell lines, suggesting that, if Mb1 is expressed, its expression is highly regulated. From DNA sequence identity and intron-exon organization, Mb1 appears to be a primordial gene which antedates mouse speciation and which has evolved independently of the rest of the class I gene family. Examination of various species of wild mice demonstrates the presence of a discrete Mb1 subfamily over long evolutionary periods of time.

Distinct Tumorigenic Potential of abl and raf in B Cell Neoplasia: abl Activates the IL-6 Signaling Pathway

The development of murine plasma cell tumors induced by raf/myc containing retroviruses is facilitated by T cells and completely dependent on IL-6. To determine whether kinases with differing specificities reflect alternative biochemical pathways in B cell tumorigenesis, we have employed an abl/myc containing retrovirus to assess neoplastic development. In contrast with raf/myc, abl/myc disease is T cell and IL-6 independent. An examination of the IL-6 signal transduction pathway reveals that this pathway, as defined by activation of Stat3, is inducible by IL-6 in raf/myc tumors but constitutively activated in abl/myc tumors. These findings provide a mechanism for the derivation of cytokine-independent plasma cell tumors and suggest that both IL-6-dependent and independent tumors may arise in vivo depending on the particular mutational events incurred during tumorigenesis.

Chromosomal translocations deregulating c-myc are associated with normal immune responses.

Plasmacytomas induced in BALB/c mice by pristane consistently evidence chromosomal translocations involving the c-myc gene and one of the Ig loci. This observation has lead to the suggestion that c-myc deregulation is a critical event in the generation of such tumors. However, it is not clear whether c-myc translocation is related to pristane treatment or occurs in normal lymphocyte populations nor whether such translocations occur normally, and at similar frequencies, in strains genetically resistant to plasmacytoma development, such as DBA/2. In order to address these questions, a Long Distance PCR assay with single copy sensitivity was employed to assess the frequency of c-myc/IgA translocations in normal and immunized mice of both plasmacytoma resistant and susceptible lineages in the absence of pristane treatment. Our data demonstrate that spontaneous translocations occur in normal DBA/2 and BALB/c mice with no significant differences in frequency. A 3 – 5-fold increase in translocation frequency was observed in mice immunized with cholera toxin, a strong stimulator of IgA responses. We conclude that c-myc deregulation by chromosomal translocation is associated with normal physiological processes of B-cell differentiation and, as such, can not be the determining factor leading to malignancy.

IL-6 mediated activation of STAT3 bypasses Janus kinases in terminally differentiated B lineage cells.

Cytokine signaling generally occurs through receptors lacking tyrosine kinase activity. Aggregation of receptors leads to activation of receptor associated Janus kinases (Jaks) which in turn phosphorylate members of a family of transcription factors (STATs) that translocate to the nucleus and regulate gene expression. In the case of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), the consensus for signaling in B lineage cells has been that Jak1, Jak2 and Tyk2 are all phosphorylated upon ligand binding and participate in activation of downstream elements, in particular STAT3. In other cell types, Jak1 has been demonstrated to be absolutely required for IL-6 mediated activation of STAT3. In the present studies, we have identified a series of end stage B cell (plasma cell) lines that fail to express Jak1, but phosphorylate STAT3 in response to IL-6. No evidence was found for a requirement of other Jak family members in the activation of STAT3. STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by the MEK inhibitor U0126, but not by inhibitors of PI-3K or Src kinases. Moreover, STAT3 phosphorylation was similarly inhibited in lines expressing Jak1 wherein Jak1 was phosphorylated upon IL-6 stimulation and Jak1 phosphorylation was not inhibited by U0126. These results indicate that the MAPK pathway plays a critical role in IL-6 mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and suggests that Jak kinases may not be required in this cascade. Thus, it may be important to re-evaluate the role of Jak kinases in other cytokine signaling pathways as well.