Re-Expression of Bone Marrow Proteoglycan-2 by 5-Azacytidine is associated with STAT3 Inactivation and Sensitivity Response to Imatinib in Resistant CML Cells

Al-Jamal, Hamid Ali Nagi; Johan, Muhammad Farid; Mat Jusoh, Siti Asmaa; Ismail, Imilia; Wan Taib, Wan Rohani

doi:10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.6.1585

Re-Expression of Bone Marrow Proteoglycan-2 by 5-Azacytidine is associated with STAT3 Inactivation and Sensitivity Response to Imatinib in Resistant CML Cells

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Diagnostic and Biomedicine, Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak Compus, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

² Department of Haematology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.

³ Institute for Community Health Development, Gong Badak Compus, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.6.1585

Abstract

Background: Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) is involved in development and
progression of cancers. Re-expression of TSG is inversely proportionate with STAT3 signaling pathways.
Demethylation of DNA by 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza) results in re-expression of silenced TSG. Forced expression of
PRG2 by 5-Aza induced apoptosis in cancer cells. Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that potently inhibits BCR/
ABL tyrosine kinase resulting in hematological remission in CML patients. However, majority of CML patients treated
with imatinib would develop resistance under prolonged therapy. Methods: CML cells resistant to imatinib were
treated with 5-Aza and cytotoxicity of imatinib and apoptosis were determined by MTS and annexin-V, respectively.
Gene expression analysis was detected by real time-PCR, STATs activity examined using Western blot and methylation
status of PRG2 was determined by pyrosequencing analysis. Result: Expression of PRG2 was significantly higher in
K562-R+5-Aza cells compared to K562 and K562-R (p=0.001). Methylation of PRG2 gene was significantly decreased
in K562-R+5-Aza cells compared to other cells (p=0.021). STAT3 was inactivated in K562-R+5-Aza cells which showed
higher sensitivity to imatinib. Conclusion: PRG2 gene is a TSG and its overexpression might induce sensitivity to
imatinib. However, further studies are required to evaluate the negative regulations of PRG2 on STAT3 signaling.

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