MicroRNA-150 Expression Induces Myeloid Differentiation of Human Acute Leukemia Cells and Normal Hematopoietic Progenitors
PLOS ONE
Authors: Morris, Valerie A.; Zhang, Ailin; Yang, Taimei; Stirewalt, Derek L.; Ramamurthy, Ranjani; Meshinchi, Soheil; Oehler, Vivian G.
Abstract
In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and blast crisis (BC) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) normal differentiation is impaired. Differentiation of immature stem/progenitor cells is critical for normal blood cell function. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that interfere with gene expression by degrading messenger RNAs (mRNAs) or blocking protein translation. Aberrant miRNA expression is a feature of leukemia and miRNAs also play a significant role in normal hematopoiesis and differentiation. We have identified miRNAs differentially expressed in AML and BC CML and identified a new role for miR-150 in myeloid differentiation. Expression of miR-150 is low or absent in BC CML and AML patient samples and cell lines. We have found that expression of miR-150 in AML cell lines, CD34+ progenitor cells from healthy individuals, and primary BC CML and AML patient samples at levels similar to miR-150 expression in normal bone marrow promotes myeloid differentiation of these cells. MYB is a direct target of miR-150, and we have identified that the observed phenotype is partially mediated by MYB. In AML cell lines, differentiation of miR-150 expressing cells occurs independently of retinoic acid receptor a (RARA) signaling. High-throughput gene expression profiling (GEP) studies of the AML cell lines HL60, PL21, and THP-1 suggest that activation of CEPBA, CEBPE, and cytokines associated with myeloid differentiation in miR-150 expressing cells as compared to control cells contributes to myeloid differentiation. These data suggest that miR-150 promotes myeloid differentiation, a previously uncharacterized role for this miRNA, and that absent or low miR-150 expression contributes to blocked myeloid differentiation in acute leukemia cells.
Transcriptome reprogramming and myeloid skewing in haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
Authors: Grigoriou, Maria; Banos, Aggelos; Filia, Anastasia; Pavlidis, Pavlos; Giannouli, Stavroula; Karali, Vassiliki; Nikolopoulos, Dionysis; Pieta, Antigone; Bertsias, George; Verginis, Panayotis; Mitroulis, Ioannis; Boumpas, Dimitrios T.
Abstract
Objectives Haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are multipotent cells giving rise to both myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages. We reasoned that the aberrancies of immune cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) could be traced back to HSPCs. Methods A global gene expression map of bone marrow (BM)-derived HSPCs was completed by RNA sequencing followed by pathway and enrichment analysis. The cell cycle status and apoptosis status of HSPCs were assessed by flow cytometry, while DNA damage was assessed via immunofluorescence. Results Transcriptomic analysis of Lin(-)Sca(-)1(+)c-Kit(+) haematopoietic progenitors from diseased lupus mice demonstrated a strong myeloid signature with expanded frequencies of common myeloid progenitors (CMPs)-but not of common lymphoid progenitors-reminiscent of a 'trained immunity' signature. CMP profiling revealed an intense transcriptome reprogramming with suppression of granulocytic regulators indicative of a differentiation arrest with downregulation trend of major regulators such as Cebpe, Cebpd and Csf3r, and disturbed myelopoiesis. Despite the differentiation arrest, frequencies of BM neutrophils were markedly increased in diseased mice, suggesting an alternative granulopoiesis pathway. In patients with SLE with severe disease, haematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34(+)) demonstrated enhanced proliferation, cell differentiation and transcriptional activation of cytokines and chemokines that drive differentiation towards myelopoiesis, thus mirroring the murine data. Conclusions Aberrancies of immune cells in SLE can be traced back to the BM HSPCs. Priming of HSPCs and aberrant regulation of myelopoiesis may contribute to inflammation and risk of flare.