Constitutive activation of Jak2 contributes to proliferation and resistance to apoptosis in NPM/ALK-transformed cells

Abstract

Objectives. The t(2;5) translocation results in a 80-kDa oncogenic fusion protein consisting of NPM and the kinase domain of the tyrosine kinase ALK and is present in over half the cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). NPM/ALK exerts its transforming potential via activation of multiple signaling pathways promoting growth factor independence and protection from apoptosis. Jak/Stat signaling is aberrantly activated in several human hematopoietic malignancies. We investigated the role of Jak2 in the context of NPM/ALK-mediated oncogenesis. Materials and Methods. Constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak2 was analyzed by Jak2 immunoprecipitation and subsequent anti-phosphotyrosine Western blotting. NPM/ALK-transformed cells were treated with the Jak2 inhibitor AG490 or transfected with wild-type or dominant-negative Jak2 expression constructs to measure 3[H]-thymidine incorporation. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometric analysis of annexin V-stained cells. The effect of Jak2 on Stat5-dependent transcriptional activity was measured by β-casein promoter-dependent luciferase expression. Results. Jak2 was found to be constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated in ALCL cells and in NPM/ALK-transformed hematopoietic cells. Also, NPM/ALK was present in immunoprecipitates of Jak2. Inhibition of Jak2 led to a reduction of NPM/ALK-mediated proliferation and induced apoptosis. Stat5-dependent transcriptional activity was inhibited by transfection of NPM/ALK-transformed cells with a dominant-negative Jak2 expression construct or treatment with AG490. Conclusion. Constitutive activation of Jak2 constitutes a pro-proliferative, anti-apoptotic signaling pathway in NPM/ALK-transformed hematopoietic cells. © 2003 International Society for Experimental Hematology. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.