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Protein Complex’s Role in Myeloproliferative Disease

Leukemia; ePub 2017 Feb 3; Fisher, Malkova, et al

Signaling from the NFκB protein complex contributes to myeloproliferative disease, according to a study involving people with myelofibrosis (MF) or secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML).

Investigators used mass cytometry to evaluate myeloproliferative signaling in MF and sAML patient samples. Among the results:

  • MF and sAML malignant cells tended to exhibit hyperactivation of the JAK-STAT, MAP kinase, PI3 kinase, and NFκB signaling pathways.
  • Constitutive NFκB signaling was seen in MF and sAML patients.
  • Gene set enrichment analysis of MF showed many NFκB target genes to be expressed above normal levels in CD34+ cells.
  • NFκB inhibition suppressed colony formation from MF CD34+ cells.

Citation:

Fisher D, Malkova O, Engle E, et al. Mass cytometry analysis reveals hyperactive NF Kappa B signaling in myelofibrosis and secondary acute myeloid leukemia. [Published online ahead of print February 3, 2017]. Leukemia. doi:10.1038/leu.2016.377.