Gene set enrichment analysis unveils the mechanism for the phosphodiesterase 4B control of glucocorticoid response in B-cell lymphoma

Sang Woo Kim, Deepak Rai, Ricardo C.T. Aguiar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Resistance to glucocorticoid (GC) is a significant problem in the clinical management of lymphoid malignancies. Addressing this issue via a mechanistic understanding of relevant signaling pathways is more likely to yield positive outcomes. Experimental Design: We used gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), multiple genetic models of gain and loss of function in B-cell lymphoma cell lines, in vitro and in vivo, and primary patient samples to characterize a novel relationship between the cyclic AMP/phosphodiesterase 4B (cAMP/PDE4B), AKT/mTOR activities, and GC responses. Results: Starting from the GSEA, we found that overexpression of the PDE4B in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) impinge on the same genes/pathways that are abnormally active in GC-resistant tumors. We used genetically modified cell lines to show that PDE4B modulates cAMP inhibitory activities toward the AKT/mTOR pathway and defines GC resistance in DLBCL. In agreement with these data, pharmacologic inhibition of PDE4 in a xenograft model of human lymphoma unleashed cAMP effects, inhibited AKT, and restored GC sensitivity. Finally, we used primary DLBCL samples to confirm the clinical relevance and biomarker potential of AKT/mTOR regulation by PDE4B. Conclusions: Together, these data mechanistically elucidated how cAMP modulates GC responses in lymphocytes, defined AKT as the principal transducer of the growth inhibitory effects of cAMP in B cells, and allowed the formulation of genomics-guided clinical trials that test the ability of PDE4 inhibitors to restore GC sensitivity and improve the outcome of patients with B-cell malignancies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6723-6732
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume17
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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