Anti-Notch treatment prevents multiple myeloma cells localization to the bone marrow via the chemokine system CXCR4/SDF-1

Leukemia. 2013 Jul;27(7):1558-66. doi: 10.1038/leu.2013.27. Epub 2013 Jan 28.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a deadly hematopoietic malignancy characterized by proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM) and bone disease. Interactions between myeloma and BM cells facilitate tumor progression and resistance to therapies. CXCR4 and its ligand Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) have a primary role in this process and are associated with poor prognosis. The Notch pathway is active in myeloma cells, resulting in increased proliferation, resistance to apoptosis and osteolytic activity. We hypothesized that the CXCR4/SDF-1 axis mediates the effects of Notch signals in myeloma cells. Here we show that Notch positively controls CXCR4/SDF-1 expression and functions in myeloma cell lines, and that forced CXCR4 activation partially rescues tumor cells from the outcomes of Notch inhibition. Additionally, we provide evidences that Notch blocking in vivo significantly reduces BM infiltration by human myeloma cells in mouse xenografts. This is the first evidence that a Notch-targeted approach effectively prevents MM cell migration, proliferation and resistance to apoptosis by reducing CXCR4 and SDF-1 levels.

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / genetics
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / metabolism
  • Dipeptides / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Receptor, Notch1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, Notch1 / metabolism
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • CXCL12 protein, human
  • CXCR4 protein, human
  • CXCR4 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Cxcl12 protein, mouse
  • Dipeptides
  • NOTCH1 protein, human
  • Notch1 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, Notch1
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • benzyloxycarbonyl-isoleucyl-leucinal
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases