Inhibition of ER stress-associated IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway reduces leukemic cell survival

J Clin Invest. 2014 Jun;124(6):2585-98. doi: 10.1172/JCI73448. Epub 2014 May 8.

Abstract

Activation of the ER stress response is associated with malignant progression of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We developed a murine CLL model that lacks the ER stress-associated transcription factor XBP-1 in B cells and found that XBP-1 deficiency decelerates malignant progression of CLL-associated disease. XBP-1 deficiency resulted in acquisition of phenotypes that are disadvantageous for leukemic cell survival, including compromised BCR signaling capability and increased surface expression of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1). Because XBP-1 expression requires the RNase activity of the ER transmembrane receptor IRE-1, we developed a potent IRE-1 RNase inhibitor through chemical synthesis and modified the structure to facilitate entry into cells to target the IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway. Treatment of CLL cells with this inhibitor (B-I09) mimicked XBP-1 deficiency, including upregulation of IRE-1 expression and compromised BCR signaling. Moreover, B-I09 treatment did not affect the transport of secretory and integral membrane-bound proteins. Administration of B-I09 to CLL tumor-bearing mice suppressed leukemic progression by inducing apoptosis and did not cause systemic toxicity. Additionally, B-I09 and ibrutinib, an FDA-approved BTK inhibitor, synergized to induce apoptosis in B cell leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. These data indicate that targeting XBP-1 has potential as a treatment strategy, not only for multiple myeloma, but also for mature B cell leukemia and lymphoma.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / analogs & derivatives
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / drug effects
  • Endoribonucleases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Endoribonucleases / genetics
  • Endoribonucleases / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Piperidines
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • X-Box Binding Protein 1
  • XBP1 protein, human
  • Xbp1 protein, mouse
  • ibrutinib
  • ERN1 protein, human
  • Ern1 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Endoribonucleases
  • Adenine