RIPK3 Restricts Myeloid Leukemogenesis by Promoting Cell Death and Differentiation of Leukemia Initiating Cells

Cancer Cell. 2016 Jul 11;30(1):75-91. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2016.06.002.

Abstract

Since acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by the blockade of hematopoietic differentiation and cell death, we interrogated RIPK3 signaling in AML development. Genetic loss of Ripk3 converted murine FLT3-ITD-driven myeloproliferation into an overt AML by enhancing the accumulation of leukemia-initiating cells (LIC). Failed inflammasome activation and cell death mediated by tumor necrosis factor receptor caused this accumulation of LIC exemplified by accelerated leukemia onset in Il1r1(-/-), Pycard(-/-), and Tnfr1/2(-/-) mice. RIPK3 signaling was partly mediated by mixed lineage kinase domain-like. This link between suppression of RIPK3, failed interleukin-1β release, and blocked cell death was supported by significantly reduced RIPK3 in primary AML patient cohorts. Our data identify RIPK3 and the inflammasome as key tumor suppressors in AML.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms, Experimental
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Inflammasomes
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • RIPK3 protein, human
  • Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Ripk3 protein, mouse