Interferons (IFNs) exhibit important antineoplastic properties in vitro and in vivo and are key elements in the immune surveillance against cancer. These cytokines have widespread applications in clinical medicine, but their utility in the treatment of many malignancies is frequently limited by the development of neoplastic cell resistance. We have identified a novel IFN-signaling cascade, involving the kinases Mnk1 and Mnk2. Our data have established that Mnk kinases play key roles in IFN-dependent mRNA translation and growth suppression, providing a direct link between MAPK pathways and mRNA translation of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). The engagement of this pathway ultimately regulates expression of protein products with key functional roles in the IFN-system, such as ISG15 which mediates ISGylation and other proteins with growth inhibitory properties. The current proposal is a systematic approach to establish the roles of Mnk pathways in the generation of IFN-mediated responses and to define the importance of defects in the activation of this cascade in the development of IFN-resistance in malignant cells.
Specific aim 1 will identify upstream effector mechanisms and signaling events involved in the regulation of the Mnk pathway. Studies to define the roles of IFNR-associated Jak kinases in the activation of Mnk 1/2 will be performed, while the potential regulatory effects of Jak2 on the function of nuclear Mnk2b and mRNA nuclear export will be determined. The contribution of distinct MAPKKKs and MAPKKs in engagement of Mnks by the IFNR will be also assessed.
Specific aim 2 will identify downstream elements of the pathway and will dissect their roles in the generation of IFN-dependent antineoplastic effects. The functional relevance of eIF4E phosphorylation and the involvement of hnRNPA1 and Sprouty proteins (Spry1 and 2) in IFN-signaling will be examined. Studies will be also performed to determine whether Mnks regulate mRNA translation of SLFN genes, a novel family of cell-cycle regulators that we have recently identified as mediators of IFN-antiproliferative responses.
Specific aim 3 will determine the role of Mnk kinases in the generation of the suppressive effects of IFNa in Ph (-) myeloproliferative neoplasms with the JAK2V617F mutation. The requirement of Mnk activity in the induction of IFNa effects on primary clonal hematopoietic progenitors from patients with P. Vera and ET will be examined;and the ability of IFNa to induce responses in JAK2V617F mouse models with targeted disruption of the Mnk1 and/or Mnk2 genes will be determined. Altogether, these studies will advance our understanding of the mechanisms of generation of IFN-dependent antileukemic responses;provide important information on the events that lead to malignant cell resistance;and form the basis for the development of novel antineoplastic agents and approaches to overcome such resistance.

Public Health Relevance

Interferons exhibit important antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. These cytokines play key roles in the immune surveillance against cancer and have important activities in certain clinical settings, but the precise mechanisms by which they generate their effects remain to be defined. We have identified a novel IFN- activated signaling cascade involving Mnk kinases, which plays an important role in mRNA translation of IFN stimulated genes (ISGs), including genes with important biological properties, such Isg15 and Isg54. We have also identified a novel group of ISGs (SLFN genes) that regulate cell cycle progression and mediate IFN- dependent growth inhibitory responses. Our data suggest a model by which IFN-activated Mnk kinases complement the function of Jak-Stat pathways by regulating signals for mRNA translation of Stat-activated genes. The current proposal will precisely define the role of the Mnk pathway in the generation of the antileukemic properties of IFNs and will identify downstream effectors and targets of this cascade. Studies will be also performed to examine whether defects in the activation of Mnk kinases and/or their effectors result in leukemic cell resistance to the effects of IFNs in vitro and in vivo.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA155566-02
Application #
8293009
Study Section
Cancer Molecular Pathobiology Study Section (CAMP)
Program Officer
Mccarthy, Susan A
Project Start
2011-09-01
Project End
2016-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$316,438
Indirect Cost
$108,938
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005436803
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60611
Bell, Jonathan B; Eckerdt, Frank; Dhruv, Harshil D et al. (2018) Differential Response of Glioma Stem Cells to Arsenic Trioxide Therapy Is Regulated by MNK1 and mRNA Translation. Mol Cancer Res 16:32-46
Saleiro, Diana; Blyth, Gavin T; Kosciuczuk, Ewa M et al. (2018) IFN-?-inducible antiviral responses require ULK1-mediated activation of MLK3 and ERK5. Sci Signal 11:
Gilles, Laure; Arslan, Ahmet Dirim; Marinaccio, Christian et al. (2017) Downregulation of GATA1 drives impaired hematopoiesis in primary myelofibrosis. J Clin Invest 127:1316-1320
Kroczynska, Barbara; Blyth, Gavin T; Rafidi, Robert L et al. (2017) Central Regulatory Role for SIN1 in Interferon ? (IFN?) Signaling and Generation of Biological Responses. J Biol Chem 292:4743-4752
Arslan, A D; Sassano, A; Saleiro, D et al. (2017) Human SLFN5 is a transcriptional co-repressor of STAT1-mediated interferon responses and promotes the malignant phenotype in glioblastoma. Oncogene 36:6006-6019
Kosciuczuk, Ewa M; Saleiro, Diana; Platanias, Leonidas C (2017) Dual targeting of eIF4E by blocking MNK and mTOR pathways in leukemia. Cytokine 89:116-121
Saleiro, Diana; Kosciuczuk, Ewa M; Platanias, Leonidas C (2016) Beyond autophagy: New roles for ULK1 in immune signaling and interferon responses. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 29:17-22
Kosciuczuk, Ewa M; Saleiro, Diana; Kroczynska, Barbara et al. (2016) Merestinib blocks Mnk kinase activity in acute myeloid leukemia progenitors and exhibits antileukemic effects in vitro and in vivo. Blood 128:410-4
Eckerdt, Frank; Alvarez, Angel; Bell, Jonathan et al. (2016) A simple, low-cost staining method for rapid-throughput analysis of tumor spheroids. Biotechniques 60:43-6
Bell, Jonathan B; Eckerdt, Frank D; Alley, Kristen et al. (2016) MNK Inhibition Disrupts Mesenchymal Glioma Stem Cells and Prolongs Survival in a Mouse Model of Glioblastoma. Mol Cancer Res 14:984-993

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