Identification of MCL1 as a novel target in neoplastic mast cells in systemic mastocytosis: inhibition of mast cell survival by MCL1 antisense oligonucleotides and synergism with PKC412

Blood. 2007 Apr 1;109(7):3031-41. doi: 10.1182/blood-2006-07-032714.

Abstract

MCL-1 is a Bcl-2 family member that has been described as antiapoptotic in various myeloid neoplasms. Therefore, MCL-1 has been suggested as a potential new therapeutic target. Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a myeloid neoplasm involving mast cells (MCs) and their progenitors. In the present study, we examined the expression and functional role of MCL-1 in neoplastic MCs and sought to determine whether MCL-1 could serve as a target in SM. As assessed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical examination, primary neoplastic MCs expressed MCL-1 mRNA and the MCL-1 protein in all SM patients examined. Moreover, MCL-1 was detectable in both subclones of the MC line HMC-1--HMC-1.1 cells, which lack the SM-related KIT mutation D816V, and HMC-1.2 cells, which carry KIT D816V. Exposure of HMC-1.1 cells or HMC-1.2 cells to MCL-1-specific antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or MCL-1-specific siRNA resulted in reduced survival and increased apoptosis compared with untreated cells. Moreover, MCL-1 ASOs were found to cooperate with various tyrosine kinase inhibitors in producing growth inhibition in neoplastic MCs, with synergistic effects observed with PKC412, AMN107, and imatinib in HMC-1.1 cells and with PKC412 in HMC-1.2 cells. Together, these data show that MCL-1 is a novel survival factor and an attractive target in neoplastic MCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Base Sequence
  • Benzamides
  • Cell Line
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Mast Cells / drug effects*
  • Mast Cells / pathology
  • Mastocytosis, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Mastocytosis, Systemic / genetics
  • Mastocytosis, Systemic / metabolism
  • Mastocytosis, Systemic / pathology
  • Mastocytosis, Systemic / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Oligoribonucleotides, Antisense / administration & dosage
  • Oligoribonucleotides, Antisense / genetics
  • Oligoribonucleotides, Antisense / pharmacology*
  • Piperazines / administration & dosage
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism
  • Pyrimidines / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Staurosporine / administration & dosage
  • Staurosporine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • DNA Primers
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Oligoribonucleotides, Antisense
  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Pyrimidines
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • Protein Kinase C
  • nilotinib
  • Staurosporine
  • midostaurin