This proposal will attempt to characterize how aging-associated increases in inflammation and decreased interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) signaling alter hematopoietic B-cell progenitor populations and promote the expansion of Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph+) cells. The incidence of Ph+ B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALL) increases significantly after age 50. This type of cancer results from the generation of the Philadelphia Chromosome, which creates a constitutively active kinase (Bcr-Abl) in hematopoietic progenitor cell populations. The expression of this oncogene results in unregulated cellular growth. Although the manifestation the Philadelphia Chromosome has been observed in all age groups, Ph+ leukemias are rarely observed in young individuals. Based on this observation the goals of this project are two-fold: 1.To determine the extent of signaling and metabolic changes that occur in aged B-cell progenitors relative to young populations induced by increased inflammation or decreased IL-7R mediated signaling; and 2. To determine if the aging-associated increases in Ph+ B-ALL results from the ability of Bcr-Abl to restore or circumvent identified signaling or metabolic defects found in aged B-cell progenitors. These studies will reveal how aging-associated increases in inflammation and decreases in IL-7R mediated signaling promote leukemogenesis in B-cell progenitor populations. Since age has been described as the single most important prognostic factor in the development of many cancers, this study may help to identify common themes that connect aging-associated cancers of varying etiological origin which could lead to improved therapeutics for various aging-associated malignancies.

Public Health Relevance

The incidence of most cancers increases significantly with age. This proposal will attempt to characterize how aging-associated changes in B-cell progenitor populations promote the adaptation of oncogenic B-cells leading to increased leukemia incidence in older populations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
4K01CA160798-05
Application #
9118899
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1)
Program Officer
Soyombo-Shoola, Abigail Adebisi
Project Start
2012-09-07
Project End
2017-08-31
Budget Start
2016-09-01
Budget End
2017-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041096314
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
Henry, Curtis J; Nemkov, Travis; Casás-Selves, Matias et al. (2017) Folate dietary insufficiency and folic acid supplementation similarly impair metabolism and compromise hematopoiesis. Haematologica 102:1985-1994
Henry, Curtis J; Sedjo, Rebecca L; Rozhok, Andrii et al. (2015) Lack of significant association between serum inflammatory cytokine profiles and the presence of colorectal adenoma. BMC Cancer 15:123
Henry, Curtis J; Casás-Selves, Matias; Kim, Jihye et al. (2015) Aging-associated inflammation promotes selection for adaptive oncogenic events in B cell progenitors. J Clin Invest 125:4666-80