ALBERT

Description: Key Points Compared with ubiquitously expressed PI3K p110α, genetic inhibition of PI3K p110δ uniquely normalizes mutant Shp2-induced GM-CSF hypersensitivity. Potent pharmacologic inhibitors of PI3K p110δ cooperate with MEK inhibition to reduce mutant Shp2-induced hyperproliferation.

Description: Macrophages are professional phagocytic cells, and express pattern recognition receptors such as C-type lectins and integrins for the detection of invading pathogens. Both Dectin-1 (a C-type lectin) and complement receptor 3 (CR3, a β2-integrin) are expressed on innate immune cells including macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Dectin-1 stimulation by b-glucan-containing particles (zymosan) and CR3 stimulation by serum opsonized zymosan (SOZ) activate Erk- and Akt-dependent signaling resulting in phagocytosis and production of an oxidative burst. Shp2, a protein tyrosine phosphatase encoded by Ptpn11, promotes activation of Ras-Erk and PI3K-Akt signaling, supports hematopoietic development, and is commonly mutated in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). However, no studies have examined the role of Shp2 in Dectin-1- or CR3-stimulated NADPH oxidase activation or ROS production. As activation of Erk and Akt stimulates NADPH oxidase by phosphorylating p47phox, we hypothesized that Shp2 positively regulates ROS production in response to Dectin-1 or CR3 stimulation. Using murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEMs), both zymosan and SOZ exposure induced maximal ROS production 10 minutes post-stimulation, which corresponded to maximal induction of Shp2 phosphorylation (Y580, proposed to promote Shp2 phosphatase activity) and Erk phosphorylation. Using bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMs) from mice bearing a conditionally deleted allele of Ptpn11 (Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre+), ROS production was significantly reduced in response to zymosan and SOZ in Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre+ BMMs compared to control Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre- BMMs. Notably, the phagocytic index of the Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre+ and Shp2flox/flox;Mx1Cre- BMMs was similar, and protein components of the NADPH oxidase complex (p40phox, p67phox, and p47phox) were expressed at similar levels. To define the biochemical role of Shp2 in ROS production, we generated yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged Shp2 constructs bearing mutation of the N-SH2 (R32K) or phosphatase (C463A) domain and retrovirally expressed these constructs in murine BMMs. When subjected to zymosan or SOZ stimulation, mutation of either the N-SH2 or phosphatase domain resulted in reduced ROS production. Using time-lapse confocal videomicroscopy, we found that Shp2-R32K-YFP failed to translocate to the phagosome in SOZ-stimulated BMMs; however, phosphatase dead Shp2-C463A-YFP strongly translocated to the phagosome despite producing lower ROS levels. These findings specifically pointed to Shp2 phosphatase function as crucial in positively regulating NADPH oxidase and ROS production. Accordingly, we reasoned that macrophages expressing JMML-associated gain-of-function (GOF) Shp2 mutants, characterized to have increased phosphatase activity, would produce elevated ROS levels. As anticipated, BMMs retrovirally expressing GOF Shp2-D61Y or GOF Shp2-E76K and PEMs from mice bearing a conditionally induced gain-of-function allele of Ptpn11 (Shp2D61Y/+;Mx1Cre+) similarly produced significantly elevated levels of zymosan- and SOZ-stimulated ROS compared to WT Shp2-expressing BMMs or PEMs, respectively. Given the positive role of Shp2 phosphatase in promoting zymosan- and SOZ-stimulated ROS production, we investigated putative Shp2 substrates in response to zymosan stimulation. SHPS-1 (SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase substrate 1) is a myeloid inhibitory immunoreceptor expressed on macrophages, requires tyrosine phosphorylation to exert its inhibitory effect, and has been shown to be de-phosphorylated by Shp2. Consistent with its potential function in regulation ROS production, SHPS-1 is strongly associated with phagosomes in zymosan-stimulated PEMs. In immunoblot analysis, reduced phospho-SHPS-1 levels kinetically correlated with maximal zymosan-stimulated Shp2 phosphorylation and ROS production, and increased levels of phospho-SHPS-1 were found in BMMs expressing phosphatase dead Shp2-C463A compared to cells expressing WT Shp2. Collectively, these findings indicate that Shp2 phosphatase function positively regulates Dectin-1- and CR3-stimulated NADPH oxidase activation and ROS production in macrophages, and that mechanistically, Shp2 may exert its positive effect by de-phosphorylating and thus negatively regulating the inhibitory function of SHPS-1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: Abstract 858 Multiple genetic checks and balances regulate the complex process of hematopoiesis. Despite these measures, mutations in crucial regulatory genes are still known to occur, which in some cases results in abnormal hematopoiesis, including leukemogenesis and/or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). An example of a mutated gene that contributes to leukemogenesis is the FMS- like tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, which plays an essential role in normal hematopoiesis. Interestingly, Flt3 is one of the most frequently mutated genes (∼30%) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although various pathways downstream of Flt3 activation that lead to leukemic transformation have been extensively studied, effective treatment options for Flt3ITD mediated leukemogenesis is still warranted. In this study we used genetic, pharmacological and biochemical approaches to identify a novel role of Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in Flt3ITD induced leukemogenesis. We observed hyperactivation of FAK in Flt3ITD expressing human and mouse cell. Treatment with FAK specific small molecule inhibitors F-14 and Y-11, inhibited proliferation and induced cell death of Flt3ITD expressing cells. Similarly, treatment of primary AML patient samples (n=9) expressing Flt3ITD mutations with F-14 inhibited their proliferation. Consistently expression of a dominant negative domain of FAK (FRNK) inhibited hyperproliferation and induced death of Flt3ITD bearing cells. Further, low-density bone marrow (LDBM) cells derived from FAK−/− mice transduced with Flt3ITD showed significantly reduced growth compared to wild-type (WT) LDBM cells transduced with Flt3ITD. We also observed hyperactivation of Rac1 in Flt3ITD expressing cells downstream of FAK, which was downregulated upon treatment with FAK inhibitor F-14 and Y11. Moreover, expression of dominant negative Rac1N17, or treatment with Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 inhibited hyperproliferation of ITD bearing cells. We next wanted to ascertain the underlying mechanism of FAK mediated activation of Rac1 in Flt3ITD expressing cells. Toward this end, we found RacGEF Tiam1 to be hyperactive in Flt3ITD expressing cells, which was downregulated upon pharmacological inhibition of FAK. A Tiam1-Rac1 complex was also co-immunoprecipitated from Flt3ITD bearing cells, and this association was perturbed upon pharmacological inhibition of FAK. While, Stat5 a key molecule in Flt3ITD mediated leukemic progression, is activated and recruited to the nucleus to express Stat5 responsive genes; however the mechanism of Stat5 translocation to the nucleus is unknown. We observed a novel mechanism involving FAK and Rac1GTPase, in regulating the nuclear translocation of active Stat5. Pharmacological inhibition of FAK and Rac1 resulted in reduced Rac1 and STAT5 translocation into the nucleus, indicating a role of FAK-Rac-STAT5 signaling in Flt3ITD induced leukemogenesis. More importantly, expression of Flt3ITD in Rac1−/− or FAK−/− LDBM cells, showed inhibition of Stat5 activation and its failure to translocate into the nucleus when compared to Flt3ITD expression in WT-LDBM cells. We also observed association between active Rac1 and active Stat5 in the nucleus and in whole cell lysates of Flt3ITD bearing cells, and also in human AML patient samples (n=3), which was attenuated upon pharmacological inhibition of FAK. To determine the effect of FAK inhibition in vivo on Flt3ITD induced MPN, syngeneic transplantation was performed, and mice were treated with vehicle or with FAK inhibitor F-14. While vehicle treated mice developed MPN within 30 days, mice treated with F-14 showed significant overall survival (*p

Description: Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a fatal leukemia affecting children under the age of 4 years and is characterized by myelomonocytic cell overproduction and hypersensitivity to GM-CSF. The only curative therapy is allogeneic stem cell transplantation; however, half of children relapse after this aggressive therapy. Approximately 85% of JMML patients bear loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in NF1 or CBL or gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in KRAS, NRAS, or PTPN11. Typically, these mutations are non-overlapping, with the net effect being Ras hyperactivation. Children bearing somatic GOF mutations within PTPN11, which encodes the protein tyrosine phosphatase, Shp2, exhibit the poorest prognosis. GOF Shp2 (Shp2D61Y and Shp2E76K) induces hyperactivation of both the Ras-MEK- Erk and PI3K-Akt pathways. While the Ras-MEK-Erk pathway clearly contributes to the pathogenesis of JMML, we hypothesize that the PI3K-Akt pathway cooperates with the Ras-MEK-Erk pathway to promote JMML. Recently published work indicates that genetic disruption of the PI3K regulatory subunit, p85a, reduces GOF Shp2-induced hypersensitivity to GM-CSF. However, as PI3K regulatory subunits cannot be easily inhibited pharmacologically, we examined the contribution of class IA PI3K catalytic subunits in GOF Shp2-induced JMML. Shp2 D61Y/+ ;Mx1Cre+ mice were crossed with mice bearing conditional knockout of p110a (Pik3caflox/flox) or bearing a kinase dead mutant of p110d (Pik3cdD910A/D910A). Shp2D61Y/+;Mx1Cre-, Shp2D61Y/+;Mx1Cre+, Shp2D61Y/+;Mx1Cre+; Pik3caflox/flox, and Shp2D61Y/+;Mx1Cre+; Pik3cdD910A/D910A mice were treated with polyI;polyC, and 8 weeks post-treatment, animals were euthanized followed by evaluation of spleen size, hypersensitivity of bone marrow low density mononuclear cells (LDMNCs) to GM-CSF, frequency of bone marrow phenotypically-defined common myeloid, granulocyte-monocyte, and megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors (CMPs, GMPs, and MEPs), and GM-CSF-stimulated Erk and Akt activation. Genetic disruption of p110a failed to normalize GOF Shp2-induced splenomegaly, GM-CSF hypersensitivity in proliferation assays and methylcellulose-based progenitor assays, or hyperphosphorylation of Erk or Akt. In contrast, genetic ablation of p110d kinase activity significantly reduced spleen size, normalized progenitor hypersensitivity to GM-CSF, and reduced both Akt and Erk hyperactivation. Additionally, genetic inhibition of p110d normalized the skewed hematopoietic progenitor distribution reported in the Shp2D61Y/+;Mx1Cre+ mice, while genetic disruption of p110a failed to do so. This unique function of p110d in the context of GOF Shp2-expressing mice is significant, as p110d expression is restricted to hematopoietic cells and p110d bears transforming properties independent of Ras. While previously published work indicates that the PI3K p110a and p110d inhibitor, GDC-0941, inhibits proliferation of GOF Shp2-expressing cells, we tested if the potent p110d-specific inhibitor, GS-9820, is similarly effective. GOF Shp2-expressing bone marrow LDMNCs treated with GS-9820 demonstrated significantly reduced proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion, while GS-9820 failed to inhibit the proliferation of WT Shp2-expressing cells. GS-9820 treatment decreased Akt phosphorylation (S473 and T308) as well as reduced Erk phosphorylation, indicating that p110d inhibition also reduces signaling within the Ras-MEK-Erk pathway. While PI3K activates the canonical Akt-mTORC1 pathway, it also positively feeds back to the Ras-MEK-Erk pathway via activation of Rac-Pak-MEK; therefore, we evaluated if p110d inhibition adds to or is redundant with MEK inhibition. Treatment of GOF Shp2-expressing hematopoietic cells with the MEK inhibitor, PD0325901, effectively reduced proliferation, and addition of GS-9820 further significantly reduced proliferation, indicating that p110d works cooperatively with MEK to promote GOF Shp2-induced disease. Collectively, our findings suggest that PI3K catalytic subunit p110d functions in a Ras-MEK-Erk pathway-independent manner to promote GOF Shp2-induced hypersensitivity to GM-CSF, and suggest that PI3K p110d inhibition in combination with MEK inhibition may be a novel, optimal approach for the treatment of JMML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Description: Abstract 3968 Poster Board III-904 Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML) is a lethal myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) of children, characterized by hyperproliferation of myelomonocytic cells and hypersensitivity to Granulocyte-Monocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF). Most patients show hyperactivation of Ras via one or more mutations, including in the PTPN11 gene, which encodes the protein tyrosine phosphatase, Shp2. It has been demonstrated that gain-of-function mutant Shp2 (Shp2 E76K and Shp2 D61Y) causes hyperactivation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway. Additionally, we have previously shown that macrophage progenitor cells transduced with Shp2 D61Y or Shp2 E76K showed elevated levels of phospho-Akt, both at baseline and following 1 hour of GM-CSF stimulation, indicating a role for the Phospho-Inositol-3-Kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in the phenotype of elevated proliferation and survival in mutant Shp2-expressing cells (Yang, et al, 2008). However, it remains to be elucidated how PI3K contributes to the phenotype of increased proliferation and survival in cells bearing gain-of-function mutations in Shp2. Class IA PI3K is a lipid kinase heterodimer consisting of one of three catalytic subunits (p110α, p110β, or p110δ) and one of two regulatory subunits (p85α or p85β). It has been demonstrated that knocking out the main regulatory subunit, p85α, abrogated the hyperproliferative phenotype in mast cell progenitors bearing an oncogenic mutation in Kit in a model of another MPD, Systemic Mastocytosis (Munugalavadla, et al, 2007). In order to examine whether eliminating expression of p85α would cause a similar correction in cells expressing gain-of-function mutant Shp2, we performed timed matings of mice heterozygous for the knock-out of Pik3r1, which encodes the p85α subunit as well as its isoforms, p55α and p50α, since homozygous Pik3r1-/- is lethal in utero. WT and Pik3r1-/- fetal liver cells were isolated from 14.5 day embryos and transduced with either WT Shp2 or mutant Shp2 E76K. Transduced cells were subjected to serum deprivation followed by a 24-hour treatment with increasing doses of GM-CSF, and proliferation was then measured with H3-thymidine incorporation assays. We found that the absence of all the Pik3r1 isoforms resulted in a significant but incomplete correction of GM-CSF hypersensitivity in Shp2 E76K-expressing cells. To further investigate this observation, WT Pik3r1 and Pik3r1-/- macrophage progenitors, transduced with WT Shp2 or mutant Shp2 E76K as described above, were serum- and growth factor-deprived and then stimulated for 1 hour with GM-CSF. Western blot analysis showed that there was an expected increase in phospho-Akt in WT Pik3r1 cells following GM-CSF stimulation and that this increase was larger in Shp2 E76K-expressing cells than in WT Shp2-expressing cells, as previously observed. Upon genetic disruption of Pik3r1, Akt activation was reduced in both WT Shp2- and Shp2 E76K-expressing cells; however, the phospho-Akt in the Shp2 E76K-expressing cells was not reduced to WT levels. The phospho-Akt levels mirrored the proliferation pattern displayed by these cells in the H3-thymidine incorporation assays, where a modest reduction in proliferation in Pik3r1-/-, Shp2 E76K cells corresponded to the modest reduction in phospho-Akt levels in the same cells. Additionally, we found that Pik3r1-/-, Shp2 E76K cells also showed a blunted increase in phospho-Erk levels following GM-CSF stimulation compared to the WT Pik3r1, Shp2 E76K cells, indicating that knocking out Pik3r1 affects the MAPK pathway as well, which likely also contributes to the reduction in proliferation seen in Pik3r1-/-, Shp2 E76K cells following GM-CSF stimulation. Based on these data, we conclude that: (1) gain-of-function Shp2 activity results in dysregulated PI3K signaling, contributing to the leukemic phenotype of increased proliferation and survival; (2) PI3K signaling is reduced but not completely normalized in the absence of the main regulatory subunit, p85α and its isoforms, in gain-of-function mutant Shp2-expressing cells; and (3) there is cross-talk between the PI3K and MAPK pathways in the presence of Shp2 activating mutations, which is revealed by knocking out Pik3r1. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.