Identification of JAK2 as a mediator of FIP1L1-PDGFRA-induced eosinophil growth and function in CEL

PLoS One. 2012;7(4):e34912. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034912. Epub 2012 Apr 16.

Abstract

The Fip1-like1 (FIP1L1)-platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha fusion gene (F/P) arising in the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell (HSC),causes 14% to 60% of patients with hypereosinophilia syndrome (HES). These patients, classified as having F/P (+) chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), present with clonal eosinophilia and display a more aggressive disease phenotype than patients with F/P (-) HES patients. The mechanisms underlying predominant eosinophil lineage targeting and the cytotoxicity of eosinophils in this leukemia remain unclear. Given that the Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat) signaling pathway is key to cytokine receptor-mediated eosinophil development and activated Stat3 and Stat5 regulate the expression of genes involved in F/P malignant transformation, we investigated whether and how JAK proteins were involved in the pathogenesis of F/P-induced CEL. F/P activation of JAK2, Stat3 and Stat5, were confirmed in all the 11 F/P (+) CEL patients examined. In vitro inhibition of JAK2 in EOL-1, primary F/P(+) CEL cells (PC) and T674I F/P Imatinib resistant cells(IR) by either JAK2-specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) or the tryphostin derivative AG490(AG490), significantly reduced cellular proliferation and induced cellular apoptosis. The F/P can enhance the IL-5-induced JAK2 activation, and further results indicated that JAK2 inhibition blocked IL-5-induced cellular migration and activation of the EOL-1 and PC cells in vitro. F/P-stimulation of the JAK2 suppressed cells led to a significantly reduction in Stat3 activation, but relatively normal induction of Stat5 activation. Interestingly, JAK2 inhibition also reduced PI3K, Akt and NF-κB activity in a dose-dependent manner, and suppressed expression levels of c-Myc and Survivin. These results strongly suggest that JAK2 is activated by F/P and is required for F/P stimulation of cellular proliferation and infiltration, possibly through induction of c-Myc and Survivin expression via activation of multiple signaling pathways, including NF-κB, Stat3, and PI3K/Akt.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzamides
  • Down-Regulation
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Eosinophils / physiology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / enzymology
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / genetics*
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Interleukin-5 / physiology
  • Janus Kinase 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Janus Kinase 2 / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / physiology*
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / physiology*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Tyrphostins / pharmacology
  • mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Benzamides
  • Interleukin-5
  • NF-kappa B
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Piperazines
  • Pyrimidines
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • Tyrphostins
  • alpha-cyano-(3,4-dihydroxy)-N-benzylcinnamide
  • mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion protein, human
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha
  • Janus Kinase 2