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Review Article Mouse models as tools to understand and study BCR-ABL1 diseases Steffen Koschmieder, Mirle Schemionek
Medizinische Klinik A, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany. Received May 16, 2011; accepted June 3, 2011; Epub June 7, 2011; published June 15, 2011 Abstract: Mouse models of human malignancy have greatly enhanced our understanding of disease pathophysiology and have led to novel therapeutic approaches, some with extraordinary success, one such example being inhibition of the BCR-ABL1 oncogene in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Here, we review aspects of the biology of CML that have been uncovered at least in part through the generation and analysis of retroviral and transgenic mouse models of BCR-ABL1 disease. It can be expected that these models will also serve as important tools in the future, especially in the rational design of strategies to eradicate leukemic stem cells and potentially cure CML as well as other can-cers. Keywords: BCR-ABL1, mouse models, retroviral, transgenic. leukemic stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells
CD34+CD38- cells which are highly enriched in
stem cells persist in vitro and in vivo despite
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant
kinase inhibitor treatment [13, 14], possibly
disorder of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) [1,
explaining the fact that CML frequently relapses
2]. During chronic phase, proliferation and sur-
in patients after discontinuation of imatinib
vival of HSC and their progeny are enhanced,
treatment [15-19]. The reason for the inherent
and this is primarily caused by deregulated tyro-
resistance of CML stem cells to kinase inhibi-
sine kinase signalling. If untreated, the disease
tors is not known. In fact, while the effects of
progresses to accelerated phase and eventually
BCR-ABL1 in more mature progenitor and hema-
to a fatal blastic phase which is characterized
topoietic precursor cells have been studied ex-
by a block in differentiation and accumulation of
tensively, the effects of BCR-ABL1 in the HSC
immature hematopoietic cells due to inactiva-
population are still incompletely understood.
tion of important tumor suppressors and mye-
Possibly, the cellular context that allows self-
loid transcription factors [3]. Preclinical re-
renewal in HSC allows these cells to respond
search over the past decades has clearly dem-
differently to transformation by BCR-ABL1 than
onstrated that BCR-ABL1 is the major cause of
the cellular composition of the progenitor cell
the disease [4-6], and this work has led to the
population which lacks self-renewing capacities.
development of ABL kinase inhibitors that have
Also, the so-called “stem cell niche” in the bone
revolutionized CML treatment [7-10] and have
marrow may protect stem cells from the effects
led to an almost twofold increase in CML preva-
of cytostatic agents. This niche is critical for the
control of stem cell adherence to stromal cells
as well as their migration and egression from
Biology of stem cells during chronic phase CML
the bone marrow, all of which are critical factors
that determine whether stem cells can cause
Inhibition of ABL kinase by tyrosine kinase in-
overt leukemia or not. Studies of the genes in-
hibitors have resulted in impressive rates of
volved in CML stem cell migration, transforma-
long-term complete cytogenetic remission [8,
tion, and homing as well as disease progression
12]. However, BCR-ABL1 positive quiescent
are critical in understanding these processes.
Mouse models for study of BCR-ABL1 disease
expressing the oncogene. In this review, we will
focus on retroviral and transgenic mouse mod-
While tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment
has improved the treatment of patients with
chronic-phase CML dramatically, only a fraction
Retroviral transduction experiments have identi-
of patients with accelerated or blastic phase
fied critical requirements for the generation of
CML respond to TKIs sufficiently to allow long-
leukemia in the recipients. It was shown that
term survival following stem cell transplantation
the transforming activity of BCR-ABL1 results
[9, 20]. A variety of cellular and genetic altera-
from deregulated constitutive tyrosine kinase
tions has been described in cells from patients
activity of the fusion protein and these experi-
with accelerated phase and blast crisis, includ-
ments have identified regions within the fusion
ing large genomic changes (i.e. +8, +Ph, +19,
protein which are essential for transformation
and i(17)q, del 2, del 5, and del 7 [21, 22]) and
([4, 31, 32] and others, as reviewed in [33]).
gene mutations leading to disrupted differentia-
tion and tumor suppressor pathways (i.e.
ABL1 is able to transform bone marrow-derived
CEBPA, PP2A, p53, p16, and Rb [23-28]). At
hematopoietic cells which, upon transplanta-
what stage during development of CML these
tion, induce hematopoietic tumors in recipient
alterations take place and in which cell popula-
mice. Thus, together with the initial description
tion they occur, is still unknown. Since CML
of the “minute chromosome” in chronic granulo-
blast crisis cells are generally but not always
cytic leukemia by Nowell and Hungerford in
BCR-ABL1 positive, clonal evolution of both BCR
1960 [34], the description of the “Philadelphia
-ABL1 positive and BCR-ABL1 negative cells has
chromosome” by Rowley in 1973 [35], and the
been discussed. According to these hypotheses,
cloning of the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene by Shtivel-
genetic changes occur in a subset of cells dur-
man et al in 1985 [36], these experiments pro-
ing chronic phase CML, conferring a growth ad-
vided the basis for our current understanding of
vantage to these cells which can then outgrow
BCR-ABL1 oncogenic activity, and they have
the rest of the clones and contribute to the pro-
been critical for the rational design and develop-
gression from chronic phase to blast crisis [29].
ment of tyrosine kinase inhibitors which repre-
Genetic changes may be promoted through BCR
sent the current standard of care in patients
-ABL1 effects on genetic stability and survival
[30]. Despite the therapeutic success of
imatinib treatment, formation of resistance to
Three major BCR-ABL1 fusion proteins have
tyrosine kinase inhibitors and the inherent in-
been described in patients (p185, p210, and
sensitivity of CML and Ph+ ALL stem cells are
p230), and these are associated with three dif-
still problematic and make the goal of prevent-
ferent clinical phenotypes of BCR-ABL1 disease
ing the progression to blast crisis more difficult.
(acute lymphoblastic leukemia, CML, and CML
Studies of genes involved in the progression to
characterized by slower progression kinetics,
acute phase CML are therefore critical in under-
respectively). In vivo experiments in mice
standing the course of CML disease and improv-
showed that all three BCR-ABL1 translocation
products (p185, p210, and p230) were able to
transform 5-FU enriched bone marrow cells and
Retroviral mouse models of BCR-ABL1 disease
cause a similar phenotype (CML-like disease) in
recipient mice [37-39]. Interestingly, these ex-
Murine models of CML have not only greatly
periments demonstrated that the leukemic phe-
enhanced our understanding of leukemogene-
notype was influenced by the type of condition-
sis [6] but also of physiologic human hemato-
ing regimen of the donor mice (pure CML with 5-
poiesis and have been indispensable for pre-
FU treated vs. mixed phenotypes with untreated
clinical drug testing of BCR-ABL1 inhibitors. Sev-
donor cells), suggesting that the type of target
eral technical approaches were used to gener-
cell in which the oncogenic fusion protein was
ate mouse models of CML-like disease: injection
expressed is more relevant in determining the
of cell lines or primary cells from CML patients
disease phenotype than the type of BCR-ABL1
into recipient mice, transduction of bone mar-
fusion protein (p185, p210, or p230) [39].
row-derived cells with retroviral vectors that
Major progress in identifying prospectively iso-
transplantation into lethally irradiated congenic
lated hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and pro-
recipient mice or generation of transgenic mice
genitor populations has been made by the use
Mouse models for study of BCR-ABL1 disease
of a set of defined surface markers in combina-
els are the variability of BCR-ABL1 expression
tion with high-speed cell sorting techniques
and disease phenotype between recipients and
which allowed for the efficient sorting of rare
the relatively rapid onset and fatal outcome of
cell populations [40-42]. Using these tech-
the disease soon after transplantation, which
niques, the characteristics of murine long-term
may hamper the analysis of the disease during
and short-term HSC (LT- and ST-HSC) and their
chronic phase. Moreover, since a transplanta-
progeny (CMP, CLP, GMP, and MEP) have now
tion step is required for this method, this prohib-
been analyzed both under physiologic condi-
its the study of BCR-ABL1 disease under steady-
tions as well as in selected models of leukemia.
These experiments have led to the discovery of
stem-cell specific and progenitor-specific gene
Therefore, researchers have generated trans-
expression profiles [43]. Moreover, these experi-
genic mouse models, and the data gathered
ments have corroborated the unique ability of
from these mice complement and extend the
HSC to both self-renew and undergo differentia-
results obtained with the retroviral models.
tion into more mature cell populations and dem-
While transgenic approaches are inherently
onstrated that CMP, CLP, MEP, and GMP have
time-consuming due to founder selection as
limited self-renewing capacities [40, 44, 45].
well as breeding and genotyping procedures,
Prospective isolation of HSC and progenitors
they offer highly-reproducible expression among
has greatly facilitated the targeting of specific
transgenic offspring, versatile matings with dif-
HSC and progenitor populations. Using these
ferent other transgenic mouse strains including
techniques, it was shown that BCR-ABL1 causes
gene knockout strains, and analysis of leukemic
transplantable disease when using whole bone
phenotypes under steady-state conditions.
marrow as a source but not when using bone
marrow-derived CMP or GMP cells [44]. Another
Transgenic animals carry the exogenous gene in
group reported that transduction of purified Lin-
every cell, but expression is restricted by the
Sca-1+c-kit+ (LSK) cells which contain the HSC
use of cell type specific promoter/enhancer
population with the BCR-ABL1 oncogene is suffi-
constructs. In the past, non-conditional and con-
cient to induce CML-like disease in mice [46].
These data suggest that BCR-ABL1 exerts its
conditional models have utilized the metal-
effects in the HSC compartment, in agreement
lothionein (MT) promoter [51], the Tec promoter
with early studies of human CML that demon-
[52], and the MRP8 promoter [53] among oth-
strated the Philadelphia chromosome in several
ers. The hematopoietic neoplasms detected in
hematopoietic lineages including granulocytes
MT p210BCR-ABL1 mice showed an exclusively
and eryhroid cells [1] and confirming the notion
T-lymphoid phenotype in contrast to patients,
that chronic phase-CML is a stem cell disease.
where p210 is almost exclusively associated
This is in contrast to acute myeloid leukemia
with chronic myeloid disease [54]. While tec-
(AML) where transduction of both unfraction-
p210-BCR-ABL1 mice did develop CML-like dis-
ated bone marrow containing HSC and FACS-
ease in the second generation, this model does
purified progenitor cell populations are able to
not focus on targeting the HSC compartment
induce acute leukemia in mice [44, 47, 48].
lower disease penetrance (4 to 31%) and, in
Finally, retroviral mouse models have allowed
addition, a highly variable onset of disease (3 to
the functional analysis of individual genes in
10 months) [53]. One of the major problems of
vivo by transduction of transgenic cells with a
non-conditional transgenic mouse models is
targeted disruption of genes such as STAT5 [49,
that the BCR-ABL1 oncogene is expressed con-
50] and p53 [28] and others. These experi-
tinuously throughout life, including embryogene-
ments showed that STAT5 is indispensable for
sis. Early studies had demonstrated that expres-
BCR-ABL1 mediated leukemogenesis [49, 50]
sion of the fusion gene is detrimental causing
and that the proapoptotic function of p53 is
intra-uterine lethality or selection for animals
required for BCR-ABL1 positive cells to undergo
with low levels of expression [55]. Embryonic
lethality has also complicated several knockout
mouse models where non-conditional targeted
Transgenic mouse models of BCR-ABL1 disease
gene disruption has resulted in embryonic le-
thality. A possible solution to this problem is the
The major drawbacks of retroviral mouse mod-
use of conditional promoter/enhancer con-
Mouse models for study of BCR-ABL1 disease
structs which allow induction of gene expression
that expression decreases as the cells maturate
[63], SCLtTA/BCR-ABL1 mice were generated in
order to express BCR-ABL1 in these cell popula-
In order to model p230-induced BCR-ABL1 dis-
tion and mimic human CML [60]. Expression of
ease, non-conditional transgenic mice were gen-
tTA mRNA was confirmed in FACS-sorted hema-
erated [56]. These mice showed a late-onset
topoietic stem cells (HSC), common myeloid
mild neutrophilia and progressive thrombocyto-
progenitors (CMP), and common lymphoid pro-
sis as well as signs of a myeloproliferative neo-
genitors (CLP) but was very low or negative in
plasm (MPN). However, only a fraction of these
granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMP) and
mice succumbed to the disease. Thus, the phe-
megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitors (MEP).
notype of these mice does mimic the clinical
After induction of BCR-ABL1 expression, all dou-
characteristics of patients with p230 BCR-ABL1-
ble-transgenic mice developed neutrophilia and
leucocytosis reminiscent of chronic-phase CML,
the clinical condition of the mice deteriorated,
The development of binary expression systems
and the mice died within 29 to 122 days. Upon
using two separate strains of mice (a transacti-
autopsy, splenomegaly was found in all mice,
vator and a transresponder strain) has greatly
and histological analysis demonstrated granulo-
improved the generation of inducible transgenic
cytic hyperplasia of the bone marrow and ex-
mouse models and provides the means to pre-
tramedullary organs. CML-like disease was re-
vent oncogene expression during embryogene-
peatedly reversible upon re-administration of
sis [57]. Several “driver” transgenic mouse lines
tetracycline, suggesting that the disease re-
have been generated using the tTA gene under
the control of the MMTV-LTR [58], human CD34
expression. Further experiments demonstrated
genomic locus [59], and the murine stem cell
that CP-CML was transplantable using bone
leukemia (SCL) gene 3´ enhancer [60]. These
marrow cell fractions highly enriched in HSC
mice were crossbred with mice expressing p210
and that this population was necessary and
BCR-ABL1 under the control of the tetracycline
sufficient to induce CML-like disease in synge-
responsive element (TRE) [58]. Similar to previ-
neic transplant recipient mice [64]. In addition,
ous retroviral and transgenic mouse models
the experiments revealed that the phenotype
using p190 BCR-ABL1 [5, 37, 39, 51, 61, 62],
was re-inducible after complete abrogation of
BCR-ABL1 expression, suggesting that the leu-
developed acute pre-B cell leukemia (ALL)
kemic stem cell population was not oncogene-
within three weeks after induction of BCR-ABL1
addicted and persisted despite the absence of
expression by removal of tetracycline from the
BCR-ABL1. Moreover, imatinib was unable to
drinking water [58]. This binary system was
eradicate the disease in the mice. These results
highly reliable with 100% of animals developing
are in keeping with data from retroviral mouse
the phenotype. Re-administration of tetracycline
models which have also shown that imatinib is
led to abrogation of BCR-ABL1 expression and
unable to eradicate BCR-ABL1 positive leukemic
complete reversion of the leukemia, suggesting
stem cells [46]. Insensitivity of very immature
that continued BCR-ABL1 expression is required
hematopoietic cells to imatinib and other TKIs
for maintenance of the disease. When the en-
has been shown in patients [14, 65-67]. More-
tire human CD34 locus was used to direct ex-
over, clinical data confirmed that most CML
pression of BCR-ABL1 to more immature pro-
patients that have discontinued imatinib ther-
genitors and HSC, induction of these mice led to
apy relapse within a few months after stopping
an MPN with predominant involvement of the
imatinib [19], again suggesting that imatinib
megakaryocytic lineage [59]. The disease la-
does not lead to eradication of the leukemic
tency in this model was longer than that of the
stem cell population in the majority of patients.
pre-B ALL, and this may be due to different ex-
pression levels in the targeted cells [59]. These
Another tetracycline-responsive transgenic
mice provided further evidence for a critical role
mouse model was generated using a vector
of the cell type expressing BCR-ABL1 in deter-
expressing both tTA driven by the CMV promoter
mining the disease phenotype. Since a fragment
and p190 BCR-ABL1 under the control of the
of the 3' enhancer of the murine SCL gene is
tetracycline-responsive element [68]. Two trans-
sufficient to direct expression of exogenous
genic founder lines were established which
transgenes to HSC and myeloid progenitors and
showed tetracycline-regulated expression of
Mouse models for study of BCR-ABL1 disease
p190 BCR-ABL1 transcripts in the peripheral
scribed in Spa1-/- mice with CML-like disease
blood (PB), bone marrow (BM), and spleen. After
[71], and increased numbers of HSC were found
a latency of 5-11 months, these animals devel-
in an AML1-ETO retroviral transplant model
oped hepatosplenomegaly, and the authors
[72]. However, LSK cell expansion may not be
reported a B-lineage ALL phenotype, with cells
required for the development of more acute
from the PB, BM, and spleen co-expressing early
leukemias since LSK cells were not expanded in
B-cell and myeloid markers. Treatment of the
MRP8/BCR-ABL1/bcl2-transgenic mice [53] or
mice with imatinib did not alter the course of
even decreased in the bone marrow [44, 73]
the disease, and the mice died within 15 weeks
while GMPs were increased and exerted abnor-
of tetracycline withdrawal. When tetracycline
mal self-renewal [44, 73, 74]. It would be of
was re-administered to diseased animals, BCR-
interest to obtain more information about LSK
ABL1 expression was no longer detected. How-
and progenitor populations in other existing
ever, the animals did not get better, and the
MPN mouse models such as retroviral trans-
phenotype was enhanced with decreasing BCR-
plant models expressing BCR-ABL1 [46, 75],
ABL1 expression. Together with the late onset
FLT3-ITD [76] or transgenic mice expressing K-
and 15-week progression of the disease which
Ras [77] to understand the role of GMP self-
are unexpected for an ALL, this suggests that
renewal and LSK cell expansion in acute and
secondary events in addition to BCR-ABL1 ex-
chronic leukemias. It is yet not clear why com-
mon myeloid progenitors (CMP) in mouse mod-
els of myeloproliferative disease are not ex-
In order to achieve BCR-ABL1 expression exclu-
panded to the same extent as LSK and GMP
sively in the HSC compartment, a transgenic
populations [60, 70]. One explanation may be a
mouse model was generated, expressing p210
rapid transition through the CMP to the GMP
BCR-ABL1 under the control of the Sca-1 pro-
stage in these mice and subsequent slower dif-
moter [69]. After a latency of 4-12 months,
ferentiation of GMP into their more mature prog-
these mice developed leucocytosis, neutro-
eny. Another explanation would be that the leu-
philia, and evidence of extramedullary disease,
kemic stem cells in these mice are programmed
and 70% of the mice progressed to an acute
leukemia characterized by the appearance of
stage. To date, the transition kinetics from HSC
myeloid or lymphoid blasts in the PB, BM,
via CMP to GMP under physiologic conditions
spleen and liver. In addition, a significant por-
are not known, and experiments to test either of
tion of the mice developed solid tumors (10%
these possibilities need to be carried out. Inter-
lung cancer, 4% sarcoma, 3% liver cancer, 2%
estingly, two recent transgenic mouse models
Sertoli cell tumor) which was attributed to the
expressing the JAK2 V617F mutation have re-
expression of BCR-ABL1 in Sca-1 positive non-
hematopoietic cells. The leukemia was trans-
erythrocyte progenitor (MEP) compartment in
plantable into secondary recipients and was
the bone marrow [78, 79], and one of the mod-
unresponsive to imatinib treatment. However,
els also showed an increase of the LSK cell
the disease was at least in part dependent on
compartment [78], suggesting that, like CML,
BCR-ABL1 expression, as demonstrated by an
these MPN may be stem cell-derived malignan-
cies. However, in a third transgenic model that
ABL1p210 transgenic mice that were treated
with ganciclovir to eradicate BCR-ABL1 positive
sizes, neither LSK nor MEP cell pools were in-
LSK and/or GMP cell expansion in murine MPN
HSC and progenitor populations in human CML
Jamieson et al. analyzed specific subpopula-
macrophage progenitor (GMP) cell pool may be
tions of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
a common pathogenetic event of murine MPN.
of patients with CML at different stages of the
This phenomenon has been described in vari-
disease [81]. They found that the percentage of
ous MPN mouse models, including junB-/-ubi junB
CD34+CD38-CD90+Lin- cells in the bone mar-
mice and SCLtTA/BCR-ABL1 mice [60, 64, 70]
row, which are highly enriched in stem cells,
which develop CML-like disease. In addition,
was not significantly different in healthy donors
expansion of LSK and progenitor cells was de-
or patients irrespective of the disease stage.
Mouse models for study of BCR-ABL1 disease
Table 1. Potential future applications of mouse models of BCR-ABL1 disease Application
Study disease pathogenesis and characterize cancer Inducible stem-cell specific oncogene and targeted gene
stem cells to better understand leukemias and disruption in the same cell to identify critical target genes solid tumors
Investigate development of resistance during TKI therapy in mouse models
Test therapies targeting leukemic stem cells
Current strategies include combination of TKIs and inter-feron alpha, sonic hedgehog signalling inhibitors, PP2A activators, or immunotherapies
Develop novel transplantation approaches Inducible Assessment of the functional consequences of onco-
expression of oncogenes in different hematopoi-
genes at the HSC level and exploitation in the posttrans-
Investigate mechanism of transition from chronic Loss-of-function and gain-of-function modification of exist-
ing mouse models (i.e. crossbreeding with tumor suppres-
However, the percentage of the MEP population
cell is critical in determining the disease pheno-
was increased in chronic phase-CML but de-
type, and although the promoter and enhancer
creased in blast crisis, while the CMP popula-
constructs used may be similar to the ones driv-
tion was increased in accelerated phase-CML
ing expression of BCR-ABL1 and other onco-
but largely unchanged in chronic-phase and
genes in humans, differences of expression
blast crisis. The GMP population was decreased
between mouse and man are still very likely.
in chronic and accelerated phase-CML but in-
Last but not least, the situation of transgenic
creased in blast crisis. This population also
mice where multiple clones start to express BCR
showed an increase of self-renewal during blast
-ABL1 at the same time is probably different
crisis, possibly caused by an increased expres-
from the setting of human CML where the dis-
ease is thought to arise from a few clones ex-
These results show some discrepancies be-
tween the human disease and murine models
of CML. However, several points need to be con-
sidered. Firstly, the markers used for stem and
In spite of obvious differences between mouse
progenitor cell isolation are not identical in hu-
models and human disease, mouse models of
leukemia have been essential for the under-
have different expression patterns in mouse
standing of leukemogenesis, the development
and man [82], making direct comparisons diffi-
of specific molecular treatment approaches,
cult. Secondly, the percentage of MEP, CMP,
and preclinical testing of these drugs in vivo.
and GMP under healthy conditions is different in
More information on HSC and progenitor com-
humans and mice [40]. Specifically, the ratio of
partments in humans is rapidly evolving [83,
84].It can thus be expected that the stem-cell
found to be 2.0 but only 0.75 in humans, while
specific mouse models which are currently be-
the ratio of MEP/CMP was essentially the same
ing developed will be integral parts of stem-cell
(0.5 and 0.45, respectively) [40]. These ratios
directed treatment strategies to improve long-
also show that the percentage of cells that are
term survival of patients with acute and chronic
neither MEP, CMP, nor GMP differs between
human and murine bone marrow, although the
nature of these cells has not been defined.
Thirdly, as has been shown for mice by the use
of inducible disease models, the type of target
Mouse models for study of BCR-ABL1 disease
Innovative Medizinische Forschung an der
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Nel capitolo 8 il climax degli onori concessi al tutore di Ester giunge al culmine, poiché egli viene fatto ministro al posto di Aman e gli viene consegnato il sigillo reale. Allora Mardocheo promulga un nuovo editto secondo cui agli Ebrei è concesso difendersi contro coloro che li attaccheranno. Anche in questo caso il testo esatto dell'editto è conservato Nel
STATE OF THE EVIDENCE What is the Connection Between Chemicals and Breast Cancer? Breast cancer now strikes more women than any other type of cancer, the result of adramatic increase that has taken place in the industrialized world during the past halfcentury. Whereas one in 22 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1940s, nowthe incidence is one in eight. Of all women who die of