Ezh2 loss promotes development of myelodysplastic syndrome but attenuates its predisposition to leukaemic transformation

Goro Sashida, Hironori Harada, Hirotaka Matsui, Motohiko Oshima, Makiko Yui, Yuka Harada, Satomi Tanaka, Makiko Mochizuki-Kashio, Changshan Wang, Atsunori Saraya, Tomoya Muto, Yoshihiro Hayashi, Kotaro Suzuki, Hiroshi Nakajima, Toshiya Inaba, Haruhiko Koseki, Gang Huang, Toshio Kitamura, Atsushi Iwama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

147 Scopus citations

Abstract

Loss-of-function mutations of EZH2, a catalytic component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), are observed in ∼\n10% of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), but are rare in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Recent studies have shown that EZH2 mutations are often associated with RUNX1 mutations in MDS patients, although its pathological function remains to be addressed. Here we establish an MDS mouse model by transducing a RUNX1S291fs mutant into hematopoietic stem cells and subsequently deleting Ezh2. Ezh2 loss significantly promotes RUNX1S291fs-induced MDS. Despite their compromised proliferative capacity of RUNX1S291fs/Ezh2-null MDS cells, MDS bone marrow impairs normal hematopoietic cells via selectively activating inflammatory cytokine responses, thereby allowing propagation of MDS clones. In contrast, loss of Ezh2 prevents the transformation of AML via PRC1-mediated repression of Hoxa9. These findings provide a comprehensive picture of how Ezh2 loss collaborates with RUNX1 mutants in the pathogenesis of MDS in both cell autonomous and non-autonomous manners.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number4177
JournalNature communications
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 23 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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