NKL homeobox genes encode developmental transcription factors regulating basic processes in cell differentiation. According to their physiological expression pattern in early hematopoiesis and B-cell development, particular members of this homeobox gene subclass constitute an NKL-code. These B-cell specific genes generate a regulatory network and their deregulation is implicated in B-cell lymphomagenesis. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects B-cells and influences the activity of signalling pathways including JAK/STAT and several genes encoding developmental regulators. Therefore, EBV-infection impacts the pathogenesis and the outcome of B-cell malignancies including Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we isolated EBV-positive and EBV-negative subclones from the DLBCL derived cell line DOHH-2. These subclones served as model to investigate the role of EBV in deregulation of the B-cell specific NKL-code members HHEX, HLX, MSX1 and NKX6-3. We showed that the EBV-encoded factors LMP1 and LMP2A activated the expression of HLX via STAT3. HLX in turn repressed NKX6-3, SPIB and IL4R which normally mediate plasma cell differentiation. In addition, HLX repressed pro-apoptotic factor BCL2L11/BIM supporting cell survival. Thus, EBV aberrantly activated HLX thereby disturbing both B-cell differentiation and apoptosis in DLBCL. The results of our study contribute to better understand the pathogenic role of EBV in B-cell malignancies.
The NKL-code for innate lymphoid cells reveals deregulated expression of NKL homeobox genes HHEX and HLX in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesNKL homeobox genes encode developmental transcription factors regulating basic processes in cell differentiation. According to their physiological expression pattern in early hematopoiesis and B-cell development, particular members of this homeobox gene subclass constitute an NKL-code. These B-cell specific genes generate a regulatory network and their deregulation is implicated in B-cell lymphomagenesis. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects B-cells and influences the activity of signalling pathways including JAK/STAT and several genes encoding developmental regulators. Therefore, EBV-infection impacts the pathogenesis and the outcome of B-cell malignancies including Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we isolated EBV-positive and EBV-negative subclones from the DLBCL derived cell line DOHH-2. These subclones served as model to investigate the role of EBV in deregulation of the B-cell specific NKL-code members HHEX, HLX, MSX1 and NKX6-3. We showed that the EBV-encoded factors LMP1 and LMP2A activated the expression of HLX via STAT3. HLX in turn repressed NKX6-3, SPIB and IL4R which normally mediate plasma cell differentiation. In addition, HLX repressed pro-apoptotic factor BCL2L11/BIM supporting cell survival. Thus, EBV aberrantly activated HLX thereby disturbing both B-cell differentiation and apoptosis in DLBCL. The results of our study contribute to better understand the pathogenic role of EBV in B-cell malignancies.
The NKL-code for innate lymphoid cells reveals deregulated expression of NKL homeobox genes HHEX and HLX in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesHomeobox genes encode transcription factors regulating basic processes in cell differentiation during embryogenesis and in the adult. Recently, we have reported the NKL-code which describes physiological expression patterns of nine NKL homeobox genes in early hematopoiesis and in lymphopoiesis including main stages of T-, B- and NK-cell development. Aberrant activity of NKL homeobox genes is involved in the generation of hematological malignancies including T-cell leukemia. Here, we searched for deregulated NKL homeobox genes in main entities of T-cell lymphomas comprising peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), hepatospleenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL), and NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL). Our data revealed in all types altogether 19 aberrantly overexpressed genes, demonstrating that deregulated NKL homeobox genes play a significant role in T-cell lymphomas as well. For detailed analyses we focused on NKL homeobox gene MSX1 which is normally expressed in NK-cells and aberrantly activated in T-cell leukemia. This gene was overexpressed in subsets of HSTL patients and HSTL-derived sister cell lines DERL-2 and DERL-7 which served as models to identify mechanisms of deregulation. We performed genomic and expression profiling and whole genome sequencing and revealed mutated and deregulated gene candidates including the fusion gene CD53-PDGFRB exclusively expressed in DERL-2. Subsequent knockdown experiments allowed the construction of an aberrant network involved in MSX1 deregulation containing chromatin factors AUTS2 and H3B/H3.1, PDGF- and BMP-signalling pathways, and homeobox genes NKX2-2 and PITX1. The gene encoding AUTS2 is located at 7q11 and may represent a basic target of the HSTL hallmark aberration i(7q). Our data indicate both oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions of MSX1 in HSTL, reflecting its activity in early lineage differentiation of T- and NK-cells and the presence of NK-cell like characteristics in malignant HSTL cells. In this context, NKL homeobox gene MSX1 may represent a selective target in HSTL tumor evolution. Together, the data highlight an oncogenic role of deregulated NKL homeobox genes in T-cell lymphoma and identified MSX1 as a novel player in HSTL, involved in aberrant NK- and T-cell differentiation.
Deregulated expression of NKL homeobox genes in T-cell lymphomas.
Disease, Disease stage, Cell line
View SamplesT-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells represent developmentally arrested T-cell progenitors, subsets of which aberrantly express homeobox genes of the NKL subclass, including TLX1, TLX3, NKX2-1, NKX2-5, NKX3-1 and MSX1. Here, we analyzed the transcriptional landscape of all 48 members of the NKL homeobox gene subclass in CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and during lymphopoiesis, identifying activities of 9 particular genes. Four of these were expressed in HSCs (HHEX, HLX1, NKX2-3 and NKX3-1) and three in common lymphoid progenitors (HHEX, HLX1 and MSX1). Interestingly, our data indicated downregulation of NKL homeobox gene transcripts in late progenitors and mature T-cells, a phenomenon which might explain the oncogenic impact of this group of genes in T-ALL. Using MSX1-expressing T-ALL cell lines as models, we showed that HHEX activates while HLX1, NKX2-3 and NKX3-1 repress MSX1 transcription, demonstrating the mutual regulation and differential activities of these homeobox genes. Analysis of a public T-ALL expression profiling data set comprising 117 patient samples identified 20 aberrantly activated members of the NKL subclass, extending the number of known NKL homeobox oncogene candidates. While 7/20 genes were also active during hematopoiesis, the remaining 13 showed ectopic expression. Finally, comparative analyses of T-ALL patient and cell line profiling data of NKL-positive and NKL-negative samples indicated absence of common target genes but instead highlighted deregulation of apoptosis as common oncogenic effect. Taken together, we present a comprehensive survey of NKL homeobox genes in early hematopoiesis, T-cell development and T-ALL, showing that these genes generate an NKL-code for the diverse stages of lymphoid development which might be fundamental for regular differentiation.
NKL homeobox gene activities in hematopoietic stem cells, T-cell development and T-cell leukemia.
Cell line
View SamplesWe used microarrays to detail the global program of gene expression underlying stemness of hematopoietic cells.
NKL homeobox gene activities in hematopoietic stem cells, T-cell development and T-cell leukemia.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesBased on the assumption that molecular mechanisms involved in cancerogenesis are characterized by groups of coordinately expressed genes, we developed and validated a novel method for analyzing transcriptional data called Correlated Gene Set Analysis (CGSA). Using 50 extracted gene sets we identified three different profiles of tumors in a cohort of 364 Diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) and related mature aggressive B-cell lymphomas other than Burkitt lymphoma. The first profile had high level of expression of genes related to proliferation whereas the second profile exhibited a stromal and immune response phenotype. These two profiles were characterized by a large scale gene activation affecting genes which were recently shown to be epigenetically regulated, and which were enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, energy metabolism and nucleoside biosynthesis. The third and novel profile showed only low global gene activation similar to that found in normal B cells but not cell lines. Our study indicates novel levels of complexity of DLBCL with low or high large scale gene activation related to metabolism and biosynthesis and, within the group of highly activated DLBCLs, differential behavior leading to either a proliferative or a stromal and immune response phenotype.
Massive transcriptional perturbation in subgroups of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe investigated the ability of transferrin receptor1 (TfRc) knockout cells to populate different domains of the developing kidney by using a chimeric approach. The TfRc cells developed into all segments of the developing nephron, but there was a relative exclusion from the ureteric bud and a positive bias towards the stromal compartment. Here we conducted a microarray analysis of differential gene expression between TfRc deficient and wild type (wt) cells in chimeric embryonic kidneys derived from embryos created by blastocyst injection of wt blastocysts with TfRc-/- green fluorescent protein-expressing (GFP+) embryonic stem cells.
Scara5 is a ferritin receptor mediating non-transferrin iron delivery.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe original objectives of the study were to identify surface markers specifically expressed in motor neurons. We now use the data to profile the expression of Cdk family members in motor neurons.
Dual Inhibition of GSK3β and CDK5 Protects the Cytoskeleton of Neurons from Neuroinflammatory-Mediated Degeneration In Vitro and In Vivo.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe genetic basis of hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), characterized by aneuploidy and poor outcome, is unknown. Here, using complementary genome-wide profiling approaches, we show that hypodiploid ALL comprises two major subtypes that differ in the severity of aneuploidy, transcriptional profile and submicroscopic genetic alterations. Near haploid cases with 24-31 chromosomes frequently harbor alterations targeting receptor tyrosine kinase- and Ras signaling (71%) and IKZF3 (AIOLOS; 13%). In contrast, low hypodiploid ALL cases with 32-39 chromosomes are characterized by TP53 alterations (88%), almost half of which are present in non-tumor cells, and have alterations of IKZF2 (HELIOS; 53%) and RB1 (41%). Both near haploid and low hypodiploid tumors exhibit activation of Ras and PI3K signaling pathways, and are sensitive to PI3K inhibition, indicating that these drugs should be explored as a new therapeutic strategy for this frequently lethal form of leukemia.
The genomic landscape of hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesGene expression profiling was performed of Pax5 wild type bone marrow subsets from common lymphoid progenitors through to Hardy stage F cells. These cells were obtained by flow sorting of bone marrow.
The genomic landscape of hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Specimen part
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