2. Academic Validation
  3. IFN-γ enhances CLL cell resistance to ABT-199 by regulating MCL-1 and BCL-2 expression via the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway

IFN-γ enhances CLL cell resistance to ABT-199 by regulating MCL-1 and BCL-2 expression via the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway

  • Leuk Lymphoma. 2022 Oct 12;1-8. doi: 10.1080/10428194.2022.2131408.
Xiaoya Shao 1 2,  Xueqiong Meng 1,  Haiping Yang 3,  Xinxin Wang 1,  Ling Qin 3,  Guomin Shen 1 2,  Xiaoping Xi 3,  Huijuan Zhao 1,  Salvador Macip 4 5,  Yixiang Chen 1 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China.
  • 2 Henan International Joint Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Luoyang, China.
  • 3 First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China.
  • 4 Mechanisms of Cancer and Ageing Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
  • 5 FoodLab, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
PMID: 36222521 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2022.2131408
Abstract

Although clinical outcomes of CLL have improved with the use of Bcl-2 Inhibitor, ABT-199, acquired resistance eventually occurs in many cases, which leads to CLL disease progression. Thus, understanding the mechanisms that mediate this relapse is important to design improved therapies. Herein, we report that cytokine IFN-γ, secreted by dysfunctional T cells, enhanced CLL cells resistance to ABT-199. IFN-γ stimulation significantly increased the expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL. Blocking JAK1/2-STAT3 signaling pathway impaired the expression of these anti-apoptotic proteins after IFN-γ stimulation. The combination of ABT-199 with JAK1/2 inhibitor Ruxolitinib or STAT3 inhibitors Stattic and C188-9 increased malignant B cell death. In summary, we show that IFN-γ enhanced CLL cells resistance to ABT-199 at least in part by up-regulating Bcl-2, Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL expression via JAK1/2-STAT3 pathway, and thus blocking this pathway with inhibitors increased ABT-199 efficiency to induce CLL cell Apoptosis, suggesting a potential therapeutically relevant combination to overcome ABT-199 resistance.

Keywords

ABT-199; CLL; IFN-γ; combination; resistance.

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