Homeobox 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 SamplesNKL homeobox genes encode basic transcriptional regulators of cell and tissue differentiation. Recently, we described a hematopoietic NKL-code comprising particular NKL homeobox genes expressed in normal hematopoietic stem cells and during lymphopoiesis, highlighting their physiological role in the development of T-, B- and NK-cells. Here, we describe aberrant expression of the neural non-hematopoietic NKL homeobox gene NKX2-2 in 10% of both classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and nodular lymphocyte predominant (NLP) HL patients. NKX2-2 expressing NLPHL cell line DEV served as a model by analysing chromosomal configurations and expression profiling data to reveal activating mechanisms and downstream targets of this developmental regulator. While excluding chromosomal rearrangements at the locus of NKX2-2, we identified t(3;14)(p21;q34) resulting in overexpression of the IL17 receptor gene IL17RB via juxtaposition to the IGH-locus. SiRNA-mediated knockdown experiments demonstrated that IL17RB activated NKX2-2 transcription. Overexpression of IL17RB-cofactor DAZAP2 via chromosomal gain of 12q13 and deletion of its proteasomal inhibitor SMURF2 at 17q24 supported expression of NKX2-2. IL17RB activated transcription factors FLI1 and FOXG1 which in turn mediated NKX2-2 expression. In addition, overexpressed chromatin-modulator AUTS2 contributed to NKX2-2 activation as well. NKX2-2 inhibited transcription of lymphoid NKL homeobox gene MSX1 and activated expression of basic helix-loop-helix factor NEUROD1 which may disturb B-cell differentiation processes via reported interaction with TCF3/E2A. Taken together, our data reveal in HL ectopic activation of a neural gene network showing NKX2-2 at a central position, highlighting oncogenic impacts of NKL homeobox genes in B-cell malignancies.
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Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
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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 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 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 SamplesTo gain insight into the pathways accounting for the deleterious effects associated with severe mitochondrial dysfunction, we compared the transcriptomic profile in control L3 larvae with that of strong (arrested) nuo-5 RNAi. We also found that the natural compound lutein was able to rescue some of the defective phenotypes we characterized in nuo-5-depleted animals therefore we compared also the transcriptomic profile of stage-matched (L3) cohorts of C. elegans upon strong nuo-5 RNAi, treated and untreated with lutein, with that of animals fed empty vector control.
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View SamplesIn this study we compared the transcriptomic profile in control L3 larvae with that of mild or strong (arrested) nuo-5 RNAi. The two treatment (mild and strong) in fact lead to two very different phenotype. The mild supperssion of nuo-5 induces improved healthspand and has pro longevity effect. The strong suppression of the same gene has, on the contrary, deleterious effects such as arrested development.
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View SamplesMicroarrays were used to identify the differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus of control and Noonan syndrom mice at basal state and in response to 4AP-Bic stimulation (10 min). Functional analysis was performed to determine the biological significance of the data.
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Specimen part
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