Bcor loss promotes Richter transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with Notch1 activation in mice
Richter's transformation (RT) is an aggressive lymphoma occurring upon progression from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Despite advances in deciphering the RT genetic architecture, the mechanisms driving this disease remain unknown. BCOR disruptive mutations were found in CLL and frequently associated with NOTCH1 aberrations, a common feature in CLL and RT. We engineered mice to knock-out Bcor in B and CLL cells of Eμ-TCL1 mice. Bcor loss resulted in alterations of the B cell compartment and favored CLL transformation into an aggressive lymphoma with reduced survival in Eμ-TCL1 mice. RNA-sequencing demonstrated a molecular signature reminiscent of human RT and implied the involvement of the T cell tumour microenvironment in the disease onset. Bcor deficiency was associated with Notch1 activation in splenic CD19 + CD5+ cells to accelerate Eμ-TCL1 mice lymphoproliferation. Notch1 inhibition progressively reduced circulating CD19+ CD5+ and RT cells infiltrating the spleen of diseased mice with concomitant reduction of PD-1 expressing T cells and improved survival. Our data demonstrated an interplay between the tumour suppressor activity of Bcor and Notch1 in RT pathogenesis with potential for tumour targeting. This model represented a new platform to uncover promising alternatives for this incurable tumour.
Authors
- Brunangelo Falini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7198-5965)
- Angela Espósito (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6475-9903)
- Francesco Maria Adamo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1169-9190)
- Daniele Sorcini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4363-5132)
- Lydia Scarfò (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0844-0989)
- Giovanni Martino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3957-6720)
- Chiara Rompietti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3907-2186)
- Filomena De Falco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4008-2752)
- Roberta Arcaleni
- Arianna Stella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7775-3065)
- Erica Dorillo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3415-6527)
- Jessica Bordini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2669-6953)
- Emanuela Rosati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6549-123X)
- Estevão Carlos Silva Barcelos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7076-6165)
- Barbara Bigerna
- Clelia Geraci
- Paolo Sportoletti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5630-9862)
- Paolo Ghia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3750-7342)
Institutions
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (IT)
- University of Perugia (IT)
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Leukemia
- Published
- 2025-03-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41375-025-02557-y
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 8.13
Funders
- Ohio State University
- European Commission
- Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro
- Università degli Studi di Salerno
- Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro
- Università degli Studi di Perugia