Enhanced sensitivity to inhibition of SHP2, STAT5, and Gab2 expression in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Blood. 2006 Apr 15;107(8):3279-87. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-08-3087. Epub 2005 Nov 8.

Abstract

Although targeting the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase activity by imatinib mesylate has rapidly become first-line therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), drug resistance suggests that combination therapy directed to a complementing target may significantly improve treatment results. To identify such potential targets, we used lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) as a tool for functional genomics in cell lines as well as primary normal and CML CD34+ cells. In a conditional cell culture model, we demonstrate that RNAi-mediated reduction of SHP2, STAT5, and Gab2 protein expression inhibits BCR-ABL-dependent but not cytokine-dependent proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, colony formation of purified primary CML but not of normal CD34+ colony-forming cells is specifically reduced by inhibition of SHP2, STAT5, and Gab2 expression, respectively. In addition, coexpression of both anti-BCR-ABL and anti-SHP2 shRNAs from a single lentiviral vector induces stronger inhibition of colony formation as compared to either shRNA alone. The data indicate that BCR-ABL expression may affect the function of normal signaling molecules. Targeting these molecules may harbor significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of patients with CML.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Benzamides
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic / genetics*
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • K562 Cells
  • Lentivirus
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / therapy
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / genetics*
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / metabolism
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antigens, CD34
  • Benzamides
  • GAB2 protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl
  • PTPN11 protein, human
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases