Aberrant promotor methylation in MDS hematopoietic cells during in vitro lineage specific differentiation is differently associated with DNMT isoforms.

Aberrant promoter methylation may contribute to the hematopoietic disturbances in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). To explore a possible mechanism, we therefore analyzed expression of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) subtypes kinetics and aberrant promoter methylation of key regulatory genes during MDS hematopoiesis. An in vitro model of MDS lineage-specific hematopoiesis was generated by culturing CD34+ cells from healthy donors (n=7) and MDS patients (low-risk: RA/n=6, RARS/n=3; high-risk: RAEB/n=4, RAEB-T/n=2) with EPO, TPO and GCSF. Promoter methylation analysis of key genes involved in the control of apoptosis (p73, survivin, DAPK), DNA-repair (hMLH1), differentiation (RARb, WT1) and cell cycle control (p14, p15, p16, CHK2) was performed by methylation specific PCR of bisulfite-treated genomic DNA. Expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b was analyzed and correlated with gene promoter methylation for each lineage at different time points. DNMT expression (all isoforms) was increased during thrombopoiesis whereas elevated DNMT1 level were seen during erythropoiesis. Associations between aberrant promoter methylation and DNMT expression were found in high-risk MDS for all lineages and during erythropoiesis. Hypermethylation of p15, p16, p73, survivin, CHK2, RARb and DAPK were associated with elevated DNMT isoform expression. No general overexpression of DNMT subtype was detected during MDS hematopoiesis. However a negative association of DNMT3a and 3b expression with MDS disease risk (IPSS) could be observed. Our data indicate that all mammalian DNMT isoforms may be involved in the aberrantly methylated phenotype in MDS but seem also to be essential for the differentiation of normal hematopoietic stem cells. In particular elevated DNMT1 expression may in particular contribute to ineffective erythropoiesis in MDS.

DNA methylation profiling of myelodysplastic syndrome hematopoietic progenitor cells during in vitro lineage-specific differentiation.

Deregulated epigenetic mechanisms are likely involved in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). Which genes are silenced by aberrant promotor methylation during MDS hematopoiesis has not been equivalently investigated. Using an in vitro differentiation model of human hematopoiesis, we generated defined differentiation stages (day 0, day 4, day 7, day 11) of erythro-, thrombo- and granulopoiesis from 13 MDS patients and seven healthy donors. Promotor methylation analysis of key regulatory genes involved in cell cycle control (p14, p15, p16, CHK2), DNA repair (hMLH1), apoptosis (p73, survivin, DAPK), and differentiation (RARb, WT1) was performed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Corresponding gene expression was analyzed by microarray (Affymetrix, HG-U133A). We provide evidence that p16, survivin, CHK2, and WT1 are affected by promotor hypermethylation in MDSs displaying a selective International Prognostic Scoring System risk association. A methylation-associated mRNA downregulation for specific hematopoietic lineages and differentiation stages is demonstrated for survivin, CHK2, and WT1. We identified a suppressed survivin mRNA expression in methylated samples during erythropoiesis, whereas WT1 and CHK2 methylation-related reduction of mRNA expression was found during granulopoiesis in all MDS risk types. Our data suggest that lineage-specific methylation-associated gene silencing of survivin, CHK2, and WT1 in MDS hematopoietic precursor cells may contribute to the MDS-specific phenotype

Adventitial VEGF165 gene transfer prevents lumen loss through induction of positive arterial remodeling after PTCA in porcine coronary arteries.

Negative arterial remodeling still plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary restenosis even in the era of interventional stenting (e.g. arterial narrowing occurs proximal and distal of a stented segment). Previous studies suggest that increased angiogenesis and inhibited regression of injury-induced adventitial microvessels prevents negative remodeling. We have examined the effect of local vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF(165)) gene transfer on adventitial microvessel angiogenesis/regression and arterial remodeling after coronary angioplasty. Twenty pigs underwent angioplasty, each one in two major coronary arteries, followed by plasmid liposome gene transfer with either VEGF(165) or control gene LacZ (50 microg DNA with 50 microg of Lipofectine) into the (peri)adventitial space using a needle injection catheter. Arteries were examined at days 1, 7, 14, and 28. Local delivery of VEGF(165) gene into the outer compartments of balloon-injured porcine coronary arteries reduced lumen area loss due to distinct positive remodeling (arterial enlargement). Prevention of adventitial microvessel regression, enhanced adventitial elastin accumulation, reduced adventitial myofibroblast numbers, and a pronounced adventitial inflammatory response considered as a part of arterial healing seem to be the main VEGF-mediated mechanisms indicating the therapeutic potential of VEGF for restenosis prevention.