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Published on: January 20, 2019
PARP1 Inhibition Halts EBV+ Lymphoma Progression by Disrupting the EBNA2/MYC Axis
Lisa Beatrice Caruso1, Giorgia Napoletani1, Samantha S Soldan1
1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract:
PARP1 has been shown to regulate EBV latency. However, the therapeutic effect of PARP1 inhibitors on EBV+ lymphomagenesis has not yet been explored. Here, we show that PARPi BMN 673 has a potent antitumor effect on EBV-driven LCL in a mouse xenograft model. We found that PARP1 inhibition induces a dramatic transcriptional reprogramming of LCLs driven largely by the reduction of the MYC oncogene expression and dysregulation of MYC targets, both in vivo and in vitro. PARP1 inhibition also reduced the expression of viral oncoprotein EBNA2, which we previously demonstrated depends on PARP1 for activation of MYC. Further, we show that PARP1 inhibition blocks the chromatin association of MYC, EBNA2, and tumor suppressor p53. Overall, our study strengthens the central role of PARP1 in EBV malignant transformation and identifies the EBNA2/MYC pathway as a target of PARP1 inhibitors and its utility for the treatment of EBNA2-driven EBV-associated cancers.
Insights
PARP1 inhibitors show potent antitumor effects against EBV-driven lymphoma by reprogramming gene expression. This approach targets the EBNA2/MYC pathway, offering a new treatment strategy for EBV-associated cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
Background:
- Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) regulates Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency.
- The therapeutic potential of PARP1 inhibitors in EBV-positive lymphomagenesis remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effect of PARP1 inhibitors on EBV-driven lymphomagenesis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of PARP1 inhibition in EBV-associated cancers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mouse xenograft model of EBV-driven lymphotytic cells (LCLs).
- Assessed the effects of PARP1 inhibitor BMN 673 on LCLs in vivo and in vitro.
- Analyzed transcriptional reprogramming, oncogene expression (MYC), viral oncoprotein (EBNA2), and chromatin association of key proteins (MYC, EBNA2, p53).
Main Results:
- PARP1 inhibition with BMN 673 demonstrated significant antitumor effects against EBV-driven LCLs.
- PARP1 inhibition led to substantial transcriptional reprogramming, primarily through the reduction of MYC oncogene expression and its targets.
- Reduced expression of viral oncoprotein EBNA2 and blocked chromatin association of MYC, EBNA2, and p53.
Conclusions:
- PARP1 plays a critical role in EBV-driven malignant transformation.
- The EBNA2/MYC pathway is a key target of PARP1 inhibitors.
- PARP1 inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for EBV-associated cancers driven by EBNA2.
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