The anti‐apoptotic genes Bcl‐XL and Bcl‐2 are over‐expressed and contribute to chemoresistance of non‐proliferating leukaemic CD34+ cells
Open Access
- 25 July 2002
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in British Journal of Haematology
- Vol. 118 (2) , 521-534
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2141.2002.03637.x
Abstract
Summary. In acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), cell kinetic quiescence has been postulated to contribute to drug resistance. As the anti‐apoptotic genes Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐XL have been implicated in cell cycle regulation, we investigated the expression of these genes in non‐proliferating (Q) and proliferating (P) AML and normal CD34+ progenitor cells. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Bcl‐XL and Bcl‐2 were overexpressed in Q versus P AML cells, whereas no difference in Bcl‐XS and Bax expression was found. Furthermore, the Bcl‐XL/XS but not the Bcl‐2/Bax ratio was higher in Q AML compared with normal CD34+ Q cells (P = 0·001). An inverse correlation between Bcl‐2 expression of leukaemic Q cells and their ability to enter the cell cycle was found. Treatment with all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) reduced Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐XL expression in the leukaemic Q cells, and enhanced their chemosensitivity to cytosine arabinoside (ara‐C). These findings demonstrate overexpression of the anti‐apoptotic proteins Bcl‐XL and Bcl‐2 in quiescent CD34+ AML cells and suggest their involvement in the chemoresistance. The observed inverse correlation between Bcl‐2 and proliferation suggests a role for Bcl‐2 in the cell cycle regulation of AML. These findings could be used in the development of therapies that selectively induce apoptosis in quiescent leukaemic progenitor cells.Keywords
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