IGF2BP3 promotes acute myeloid leukemia cell progression by regulating Semaphorin 4D stability in an m6A-dependent...

Our previous findings indicate Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) as a potential pediatric leukemia biomarker, promoting leukemogenesis via PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways, but its upstream regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study was conducted to explore the potential regulatory relationship between Insulin growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) and Sema4D in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The expression levels of Sema4D and IGF2BP3 were analyzed in PBMCs from 41 newly diagnosed patients with pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 35 healthy pediatric donors who presented no history of leukemia using western blotting and qRT-PCR. IGF2BP3 overexpression and knockdown models were established in Kasumi-1 and HL-60 cells via lentiviral infection. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution were assessed using CCK-8 and flow cytometry. The stability of Sema4D mRNA and m6A methylation levels were evaluated via mRNA stability assay and qPCR.

This study discovered that Sema4D and IGF2BP3 were overexpressed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AML patients, and their expression levels were positively correlated. IGF2BP3 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and inhibited apoptosis in AML cells, while knockdown had the opposite effect. Mechanistic exploration revealed that IGF2BP3 enhances the stability of Sema4D mRNA through m6A-dependent mechanisms.

In this study, we demonstrate that the IGF2BP3/Sema4D axis is a crucial regulator in AML development, driving cell proliferation and survival through post-transcriptional regulation of Sema4D by IGF2BP3 in an m6A-dependent manner. Our findings highlight the potential of targeting this axis as a therapeutic strategy for AML treatment.