Taking control of the female fertile lifespan: a key role for Bcl-2 family proteins

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seng H. Liew ◽  
Kavitha Vaithiyanathan ◽  
Karla J. Hutt

Precisely how the length of the female fertile lifespan is regulated is poorly understood and it is likely to involve complex factors, one of which is follicle number. Indeed, the duration of female fertility appears to be intimately linked to the number of available oocytes, which are stored in the ovary as primordial follicles. There is mounting evidence implicating the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, which is controlled by members of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family, as a key regulator of the number of primordial follicles established in the ovary at birth and maintained throughout reproductive life. Consequently, the pro- and anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins are emerging as key determinants of the length of the female fertile lifespan. This review discusses the relationship between the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, follicle number and length of the female fertile lifespan.

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 911-913
Author(s):  
Angelo Borsarelli Carvalho Brito ◽  
Marcia Torresan Delamain ◽  
Cristiane de Oliveira ◽  
Carmino Antonio de Souza ◽  
José Vassallo ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulio Donati ◽  
Micol Ravà ◽  
Marco Filipuzzi ◽  
Paola Nicoli ◽  
Laura Cassina ◽  
...  

AbstractMultiple molecular features, such as activation of specific oncogenes (e. g. MYC, BCL2) or a variety of gene expression signatures, have been associated with disease course in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Understanding the relationships between these features and their possible exploitation toward disease classification and therapy remains a major priority in the field. Here, we report that MYC activity in DLBCL is closely correlated with – and most likely a driver of – gene signatures related to Oxidative Phosphorylation (OxPhos). On this basis, we hypothesized that enzymes involved in Oxidative Phosphorylation, and in particular electron-transport chain (ETC) complexes, might constitute tractable therapeutic targets in MYC-associated lymphoma. Indeed, our data show that MYC sensitizes B-cells to IACS-010759, a selective inhibitor of ETC complex I. Mechanistically, IACS-010759 activates an ATF4-driven Integrated Stress Response (ISR), engaging the intrinsic apoptosis pathway through the transcription factor CHOP. In line with these findings, IACS-010759 shows synergy with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax against double-hit lymphoma (DHL), a high-grade form of DLBCL with concurrent activation of MYC and BCL2. Similarly, in BCL2-negative lymphoma cell lines, inhibition of the BCL2-related protein Mcl-1 potentiates killing by IACS-010759. Altogether, ETC complex I inhibition engages the ISR to lower the apoptotic threshold in MYC-driven lymphomas and, in combination with select BCL2-family inhibitors, provides a novel therapeutic principle against this aggressive DLBCL subset.Statement of significanceThis work points to OxPhos as a key MYC-activated process and a tractable therapeutic target toward personalized treatment of high-grade DLBCL, providing strong context-dependent cooperation with BH3-mimetic compounds.


Reproduction ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bang-Hong Wei ◽  
Jia-Hao Ni ◽  
Tong Yang ◽  
Shuang-Li Hao ◽  
Wan-Xi Yang

PIWI proteins play important roles in germline development in the mammals. However, the functions of PIWIs in crustaceans remain unknown. In the present study, we identified three Piwis from the testis of Eriocheir sinensis (E. sinensis). Three Piwi genes encoded proteins with typical features of PIWI subfamilies and were highly expressed in the testis. Three PIWIs could be detected in the cytoplasm of spermatocytes and spermatids, while in spermatozoa, we could only detect PIWI1 and PIWI3 in the nucleus. The knockdown of PIWIs by dsRNA significantly affected the formation of the nuclei in spermatozoa, which resulted in deviant and irregular nuclei. PIWI defects significantly inhibited the apoptosis of abnormal germ cells through the caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway and p53 pathway. Knockdown of PIWIs inhibited the expression of caspase3, 7, 8, and p53 without affecting Bcl2 (B-cell lymphoma gene 2), Bax (B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X) and BaxI (B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X inhibitor), which further significantly increased abnormal spermatozoa in the knockdown-group crabs. These results show a new role of PIWI proteins in crustaceans that is different from that in mammals. In summary, PIWIs play roles in the formation of the germline nucleus and can maintain apoptosis in abnormal germ cells to remove abnormal germ cells in E. sinensis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 914-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rami Z. Morsi ◽  
Rouba Hage-Sleiman ◽  
Hadile Kobeissy ◽  
Ghassan Dbaibo

The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family proteins play an important role in regulating apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in response to several extracellular and intracellular signals. These proteins are either pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic. The pro-apoptotic Noxa is a Bcl-2 family protein that belongs to a subclass of BH3-only proteins. Noxa induces apoptosis via p53-dependent and/or p53-independent mechanisms. While Noxa may play a limited role in apoptosis, it is a crucial player that interacts with several proteins in the apoptosis pathway, highlighting its importance in the pathogenesis and treatment of certain cancers. In this review, we will elucidate the mechanisms by which Noxa regulates apoptosis and review the roles of chemotherapeutic drugs in relation to Noxa.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 5288-5288
Author(s):  
Anthony P Lam ◽  
Bruce E Petersen ◽  
Ira Braunschweig ◽  
Howard Ratech

Abstract Introduction: Among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), it is well documented that for unknown reasons men have shorter progression-free and overall survival than women. Recently, a specialized subset of CD4+ T-cells, called regulatory T-cells (T-regs), which can suppress the effector functions of cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells, has been proposed to have a role in controlling tumor progression. While elevated T-regs in animal models of cancer can block anti-tumor responses and thereby enhance tumor growth, paradoxically, high T-regs are associated with improved survival in humans with DLBCL. To our knowledge, the relationship between T-regs and gender has not been investigated. Since T-regs constitutively express FoxP3, a transcription factor of the forkhead family, we used this marker to retrospectively study the number and density of FoxP3+ T-regs in tissue sections from both male and female patients with DLBCL, and to compare their effects on survival. Methods: Tumor microarrays of DLBCL containing three 1 mm diameter cores per patient were immunohistochemically stained for FoxP3 and CD4. We enumerated tumor infiltrating FoxP3+ lymphocytes by counting positive nuclei that crossed the lines of a 1 mm2 10×10 grid in a 10× ocular that was combined with a 40× objective in a BX41 Olympus microscope. The mean FoxP3 T-regs per field and the ratio of FoxP3 T-regs to total CD4+ T-cells were compared between 34 men and 48 women with de novo, non-AIDS related DLBCL. The median values were used as cut-offs for total FoxP3 counts and for FoxP3/CD4 ratios. We analyzed survival differences between “high” and “low” groups by using Kaplan-Meier curves and Logrank tests. Cox regression analyses were used to compare mortality after adjusting for age and staging. Results: Men had lower values than women both for mean total FoxP3 counts (7.05 vs 8.15, p=0.636) and for mean FoxP3/CD4 ratios (0.31 vs 0.51, p=0.183). Differences between genders in the proportion above the overall median (“high” group) were statistically significant when comparing total FoxP3 counts (32.4% in men vs. 60.4% in women, p=0.012) and FoxP3/CD4 ratios (35.3% vs. 58.3%, p=0.040). Using gender-specific cut-offs, higher FoxP3/CD4 ratios were associated with worse overall survival in men (Figure 1, p=0.052), but improved overall survival in women (Figure 2, p=0.047). The crude hazard ratio comparing groups with gender-specific “high” vs. “low” FoxP3/CD4 ratios was 3.99 (p=0.077) in men and 0.33 (p=0.061) in women. Adjusting for age did not result in significant changes, but adjusting for stage at diagnosis shifted the hazard ratios toward the null (1.06, p=0.947 in men and 0.45, p=0.218 in women). In men, those in the “high” FOXP3/CD4 ratio group appeared more likely to have stage 3 or 4 disease at diagnosis compared to the “low” group (66.7% vs 36.8%, p=0.139). This was not seen in women (33.3% vs 38.9%, p=0.718). Conclusions: More T-regs infiltrated DLBCL in women than in men. This is difficult to explain, but could be a clue to the relationship between survival and gender in DLBCL. Paradoxically, high T-regs predicted worse overall survival in men, but better overall survival in women. Also, stage 3 or 4 disease at diagnosis was associated with high T-regs in men but not in women. To confirm the significance of these findings, a larger sample size and prospective study design will be needed. Figure 1 Survival in Men with DLBCL by FoxP3/CD4
 p=0.052 Figure 1. Survival in Men with DLBCL by FoxP3/CD4
 p=0.052 Figure 2 Survival in Women with DLBCL by FoxP3/CD4
 p=0.048 Figure 2. Survival in Women with DLBCL by FoxP3/CD4
 p=0.048


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4188-4188
Author(s):  
Julia Richter ◽  
Andreas Hüttmann ◽  
Jan Rekowski ◽  
Christine Schmitz ◽  
Selina Gärtner ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Treatment results in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are heterogeneous. Established risk models like the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and molecular lymphoma features such as MYC translocations and the cell of origin (COO) subtype are prognostic of outcome. A positive iPET scan after 2 cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) has recently been shown to predict poor outcome independent of the IPI (Positron Emission Tomography-Guided Therapy of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas trial [PETAL]; Dührsen et al., J Clin Oncol 36:2024, 2018). Another PET-derived parameter of potential prognostic significance is baseline MTV. This retrospective analysis of lymphoma biopsies from the PETAL trial investigated the relationship between molecular lymphoma features and PET parameters. Methods: Available lymphoma specimens were analyzed for COO by immunohistochemistry employing the Hans-classifier (HC) and by gene expression (GE) using the HTG EdgeSeq System (HTG Molecular Diagnostics). MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 translocations ("double-hit" [DH]) were assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). MTV was determined applying the 41% SUVmax segmentation method, and iPET was evaluated using the deltaSUVmax method. Association between iPET result and molecular lymphoma features was assessed by risk ratios (RR). Survival curves of time-to-event endpoints were compared using hazard ratios (HR) from Cox regression and the log-rank test. Results: Of 609 DLBCL patients treated in the PETAL trial, 63 had a positive iPET. 134 of 267 DLBCL biopsies available for HC analysis (50.2%) were classified as non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) and 133 (49.8%) as GCB. COO analysis by GE revealed an activated B-cell (ABC) type in 122 (51.1%) and a GCB type in 102 (42.7%) of 239 available biopsies (n=7 [2.9%] unclassified, n=8 [3.3%] failed quality control). Concordance between HC and GE was found in 165 of 197 biopsies studied by both methods (83.8%). MYC breaks were found in 27 (10.7%) and MYC amplifications in 48 (19.0%) of 253 cases studied by FISH. A DH lymphoma was diagnosed in 16 of 253 cases (6.3%). Complete information on HC, GE and DH status was available for 170 cases. The relationship is depicted in figure 1. COO classification by either HC or GE was not correlated with baseline MTV, iPET result, event-free (EFS) survival or overall (OS) survival. By contrast, DH status was correlated with positive iPET (RR 2.30 [95% CI, 0.76 to 6.96]) and inferior outcome as shown in figure 2 (EFS: HR 2.04 [95% CI, 1.02 to 4.07]; p=.044; OS: HR 3.00 [95% CI, 1.34 to 6.71]; p=.007). There was no correlation between DH status and MTV. iPET-positive DLBCL harbored MYC breaks more frequently than iPET-negative DLBCL (RR 3.29 [95% CI, 1.40 to 7.77]). A similar trend was observed in 72 cases tested for BCL2 breaks (RR 1.30 [95% CI, 0.44 to 3.84]) and 74 cases tested for BCL6 breaks (RR 1.85 [95% CI, 0.59 to 5.80]). Conclusion: HC and GE showed good concordance with respect to COO classification, but COO was not correlated with MTV, iPET, EFS or OS. By contrast, MYC-rearranged lymphomas with or without BCL2 or BCL6 breaks were statistically significantly associated with a positive iPET, and DH lymphomas were correlated with poor outcome. Yet, the unfavorable prognosis of iPET-positive DLBCL cannot solely be explained by MYC translocations because most iPET-positive lymphomas lacked this genetic anomaly. Our results strengthen the role of iPET as a prognostic tool, independent not only of IPI, but also of COO status and MYC translocation. Disclosures Richter: HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.: Research Funding. Hüttmann:Celgene: Other: Travel expenses; Roche: Other: Travel expenses. Gärtner:HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.: Employment. Duehrsen:Amgen: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria. Klapper:HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Regeneron: Honoraria, Research Funding; F.Hoffman-La Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 1906-1906
Author(s):  
Philippe Ruminy ◽  
Fabrice Jardin ◽  
Jean-Michel Picquenot ◽  
Philippe Gaulard ◽  
Françoise Parmentier ◽  
...  

Abstract The t(3;14)(q27;q32) is the most common translocation involving BCL6 in non Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. Although this translocation has been predominantly associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), recent studies have shown that it can also be found in follicular lymphomas (FL), where it is often associated with a large cell component. To further investigate the relationship that might exist between this translocation and the phenotype of the tumor, we studied 34 B-cell lymphomas with t(3;14)(q27;q32) and diffuse or follicular growth patterns. As the t(3;14)(q27;q32), involving telomeric ends of both chromosomes 3 and 14, is often difficult to detect by conventional cytogenetic, it should be emphasised that only t(3;14) positive FL or DLBCL where the translocation could be validated either by molecular technics (cloning of the breakpoint, amplification of specific IGH-BCL6 fusion transcripts or fluorescence in situ hybridization) were retained in this study. Noteworthy, none of the samples were found to have a t(14;18), indicating that the two most frequent translocations in B-cell NHL, both seen as early transforming events, are usually exclusive. This observation is in agreement with the hypothesis that BCL2 and BCL6 deregulations probably constitute two different lymphomagenesis pathways. Our data also indicate that most t(3;14) positive DLBCL share a CD10−/BCL6+/MUM1+ phenotype (10/16, 62%) and can be classified in the non-germinal centre subgroup (12/16, 75%)%), while a majority of t(3;14) positive FL are CD10− and BCL6+ (10/12, 83%). Moreover, we identified the IGH switch region (S) involved in the translocation for 32 cases, either by cloning the genomic breakpoint (27 cases), and/or by amplifying the IGH-BCL6 fusion transcripts expressed by the tumors (26 cases). For 17/19 (89%) DLBCL or FL with DLBCL, the translocation involved the Sμ, while for 9/13 (70%) FL with no diffuse areas of proliferation the t(3;14) involved a Sγ. These results indicate that the histology of the tumor and the structure of the translocated allele are correlated (p=0.0016), suggesting that the substituted regulatory regions that comes to deregulate BCL6 after a t(3;14) may affect the presentation of the disease.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 2633-2633
Author(s):  
Chisako Iriyama ◽  
Akihiro Tomita ◽  
Takashi Tokunaga ◽  
Keisuke Sugiyama ◽  
Junji Hiraga ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 2633 Background: Recently, single nucleotide polymorphism array and next generation DNA sequencing techniques have been used to identify several genetic mutations in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The mutations seem to be localized in the B-cell receptor and NF-k B signaling pathway and histone- and DNA methylation-related enzymes. However, the relationship between the genetic mutations and the clinical features, such as outcome and disease progression, and pathological findings, has not yet been elucidated. Aims: To confirm frequency of genetic mutations in Japanese DLBCL patients, and to examine the relationship between genetic mutations and clinical and pathological features of the disease, including prognosis, responsiveness to chemotherapy with/without rituximab, and to examine the correlation between mutations and patient clinical symptoms. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from lymphoma cells harvested from 138 DLBCL patients enrolled in this study at Nagoya University Hospital. Genetic mutations in the coding regions of CD79B, CARD11, MYD88, and EZH2 were confirmed using pyrosequencing and direct DNA sequencing analyses. DLBCL subtype, germinal center B (GCB; 37 cases) or non-GCB cell (40 cases), were confirmed by immuno-pathological analysis. Overall survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and statistical differences were detected by the log-rank test. Results and Discussion: Mutations in CD79B leading to disruption of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) were observed in 15 cases [10.5%; GCB, 2 cases (5.4%) and non-GCB, 4 cases (10.0%)], and mutations resulting in Y196 substitution, which is known to be a phosphorylation site critical for signal transduction, were confirmed in 13/15 cases (86.7%). Mutations in the coiled-coil (C-C) domain of CARD11 were detected in 4 cases [2.9%; GCB, 1 case (2.7%) and non-GCB, 1 case (2.5%)]. TIR (Toll/IL1 receptor) mutations in MYD88 were detected in 17 cases [12.3%; GCB, 3 cases (8.1%) and non-GCB, 6 cases (15%)], and Y265P substitution was confirmed in 14/17 cases (82%). Y641 substitution in EZH2 was detected in 9 cases [6.5%; GCB, 6 cases (16.2%) and non-GCB, 2 cases (5.0%)]. The frequency of EZH2 mutation was almost equivalent with previous reports, but the mutation frequencies of CD79B, CARD11, and MYD88 were much lower. Genetic mutations were confirmed in both CD79B and MYD88 in 6 cases (4.3%), while the frequency of CD79B and MYD88 mutations individually were 40% and 35.3%. Overall survival was compared between patients with or without each genetic mutation. Patients with CD79B and MYD88 mutations tended to have relatively poor outcomes, but the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.12 and 0.40, respectively). Patients with the EZH2 mutation showed relatively better outcomes, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.57). The overall survival rate of subjects with the CARD11 C-C mutation was significantly lower (p<0.0001), with the median overall survival of mutation(+) and (−) of 308.5 and 2950 days, respectively. Clinical records indicate that all cases with mutations were diagnosed as DLBCL at stages I (1 case), II (1 case), and IV (2 cases) and died due to disease progression within 1 year after the first diagnosis. Although we could not demonstrate statistically significant differences in overall survival for presence of CD79B, MYD88, and EZH2 mutations in this investigation, the tendencies observed here warrant further investigation with larger numbers of patients. Since prognosis was significantly poor in patients with the CARD11 C-C mutation, a more detailed extraction of their clinical symptoms is needed to confirm which phenomenon are related to the CARD11 C-C mutation. Disclosures: Naoe: Zenyaku-Kogyo: Research Funding; Novartis Pharma.: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Chugai Pharma.: Research Funding; Dainipponn-Sumitomo Pharma.: Research Funding; Kyowa-Hakko Kirin.: Research Funding; Otsuka Pharma.: Research Funding.


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