DEPTOR maintains plasma cell differentiation and favorably affects prognosis in multiple myeloma

The B cell maturation process involves multiple steps, which are controlled by relevant pathways and transcription factors. The understanding of the final stages of plasma cell (PC) differentiation could provide new insights for therapeutic strategies in multiple myeloma (MM). Here, we explore the role of DEPTOR, an mTOR inhibitor, in the terminal differentiation of myeloma cells, and its potential impact on patient survival.

The expression level of DEPTOR in MM cell lines and B cell populations was measured by real-time RT-PCR, and/or Western blot analysis. DEPTOR protein level in MM patients was quantified by capillary electrophoresis immunoassay. RNA interference was used to downregulate DEPTOR in MM cell lines.

DEPTOR knockdown in H929 and MM1S cell lines induced dedifferentiation of myeloma cells, as demonstrated by the upregulation of PAX5 and BCL6, the downregulation of IRF4, and a clear reduction in cell size and endoplasmic reticulum mass. This effect seemed to be independent of mTOR signaling, since mTOR substrates were not affected by DEPTOR knockdown. Additionally, the potential for DEPTOR to be deregulated in MM by particular miRNAs was investigated. The ectopic expression of miR-135b and miR-642a in myeloma cell lines substantially diminished DEPTOR protein levels, and caused dedifferentiation of myeloma cells. Interestingly, the level of expression of DEPTOR protein in myeloma patients was highly variable, the highest levels being associated with longer progression-free survival.

Our results demonstrate for the first time that DEPTOR expression is required to maintain myeloma cell differentiation and that high level of its expression are associated with better outcome. Primary samples used in this study correspond to patients entered into GEM2010 trial (registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01237249, 4 November 2010).