Abstract A2-14: Integrated genetic and epigenetic analysis of model and patient acute myeloid leukemias
Authors: Barabe Frederic , Celton Magalie , Forest Audrey , Bergeron Anne , Johnson Radia , Gil Laurine , Bellemare-Pelletier Angélique , Cellot Sonia , Hebert Josee , Gagnon Etienne , Wilhelm Brian T. 
Published: November 2015

Next generation DNA sequencing has provided significant insights into the genetic determinants of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Large scale sequencing studies of AML patient cohorts have revealed a remarkable level of genetic heterogeneity between patients who nevertheless have the same disease phenotype. As a solution to the problem of extensive genetic diversity between patients, we have modified a previously published model system in order to generate multiple human leukemias from CD34+ cord blood cells from a single healthy donor. A human MLL-AF9 (MA9) fusion gene is retrovirally introduced into the donor cells which are then cultured for 30 days before being transplanted into immunocompromised (NSG) mice that subsequently develop either AML or acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) after ~24 weeks. We have now generated 22 leukemias from 4 single donors and have performed RNA-seq on the samples during their step-wise leukemic transformation (i.e. CD34+ cells, CD34+ cells with MA9, and the resulting leukemias). We have compared these data to RNA-seq data we have generated for several pediatric AML patients with MA9 translocations, as well as normal blood cells and other tissues. This analysis has revealed 39 candidate genes with an expression pattern highly specific for MA9 AMLs. Interestingly, we can find no evidence for secondary mutations acquired by the human leukemias in our model system, suggesting the human MA9 translocation is sufficient to generate leukemias in this context. To understand the epigenetic impact of the MA9 fusion gene, we have examined the DNA methylation changes at each stage in our model system using a capture survey approach (e.g. Human Methyl-Seq; Agilent) and used this same approach for several primary patient samples with MLL translocations. These data have been correlated with gene expression changes within the model system and have revealed a number of specific changes with relevance for the process of transformation. Lastly, functional assessment of specific candidate genes through shRNA knock-down experiments has shown that at least some of these candidate genes, which are known oncogenes in other tumor types, are essential for MA9 AML. In summary, the combination of RNA-seq data from patient and single donor model AMLs has highlighted consistent genetic changes associated with this AML sub-group, and has also revealed novel potential therapeutic targets.

Citation Format: Frederic Barabe, Magalie Celton, Audrey Forest, Anne Bergeron, Radia Johnson, Laurine Gil, Angélique Bellemare-Pelletier, Sonia Cellot, Josee Hebert, Etienne Gagnon, Brian T. Wilhelm. Integrated genetic and epigenetic analysis of model and patient acute myeloid leukemias. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Translation of the Cancer Genome; Feb 7-9, 2015; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(22 Suppl 1):Abstract nr A2-14.