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Expression of beta 1 integrin mRNAs in human leukemic blasts
M Janiak1, G Sawicki, A Janowska-Wieczorek
1Department of Medicine, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Leukemia
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Investigating very late activation (VLA) integrins in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), this study found that down-regulated alpha 4 integrin expression may be linked to the malignant phenotype in some AML cases.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Very late activation (VLA) integrins mediate hematopoietic progenitor interaction with bone marrow stroma.
- Disregulated VLA integrin expression is implicated in hematopoietic malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the expression patterns of VLA integrin subunit transcripts in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
- To investigate the relationship between VLA integrin expression and the malignant phenotype in AML.
Main Methods:
- Northern hybridization was used to analyze VLA subunit mRNA expression.
- Samples included leukemic blasts from AML patients, human leukemic cell lines, and normal hematopoietic cells.
Main Results:
- Beta 1 and alpha 5 integrin transcripts were widely expressed in AML blasts and cell lines, as well as normal hematopoietic cells.
- Alpha 4 integrin transcripts were detected in most cell lines and normal monocytes, but weakly or not at all in most AML blasts.
- No specific expression pattern of beta 1, alpha 5, or alpha 4 transcripts correlated with differentiation or maturation in AML cells.
Conclusions:
- Down-regulated alpha 4 integrin subunit transcription may be associated with the malignant phenotype in some AML cases.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of alpha 4 integrin in AML pathogenesis.