Epigenetic alteration contributes to the transcriptional reprogramming in T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 15;11(1):8318. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87890-9.

Abstract

T cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare disease with aggressive clinical course. Cytogenetic analysis, whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing have identified primary structural alterations in T-PLL, including inversion, translocation and copy number variation. Recurrent somatic mutations were also identified in genes encoding chromatin regulators and those in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Epigenetic alterations are the hallmark of many cancers. However, genome-wide epigenomic profiles have not been reported in T-PLL, limiting the mechanistic study of its carcinogenesis. We hypothesize epigenetic mechanisms also play a key role in T-PLL pathogenesis. To systematically test this hypothesis, we generated genome-wide maps of regulatory regions using H3K4me3 and H3K27ac ChIP-seq, as well as RNA-seq data in both T-PLL patients and healthy individuals. We found that genes down-regulated in T-PLL are mainly associated with defense response, immune system or adaptive immune response, while up-regulated genes are enriched in developmental process, as well as WNT signaling pathway with crucial roles in cell fate decision. In particular, our analysis revealed a global alteration of regulatory landscape in T-PLL, with differential peaks highly enriched for binding motifs of immune related transcription factors, supporting the epigenetic regulation of oncogenes and genes involved in DNA damage response and T-cell activation. Together, our work reveals a causal role of epigenetic dysregulation in T-PLL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cellular Reprogramming / genetics*
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • DNA Damage / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / physiology*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, T-Cell / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, T-Cell / immunology
  • Leukemia, Prolymphocytic, T-Cell / pathology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology