Reactive oxygen species in haematopoiesis: leukaemic cells take a walk on the wild side

• Published in: Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research 2018-06, Vol.37 (1), p.125-125, Article 125
• Main Authors: Prieto-Bermejo, Rodrigo, Romo-González, Marta, Pérez-Fernández, Alejandro, Ijurko, Carla, Hernández-Hernández, Ángel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino acids; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Blood; Cancer; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Development and progression; Enzymes; Epigenetics; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Growth factors; Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs); Hematopoiesis - drug effects; Hematopoietic stem cells; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - cytology; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - metabolism; Humans; Kinases; Leukaemia; Leukemia; Leukemia - drug therapy; Leukemia - genetics; Leukemia - metabolism; Leukemia - pathology; Metabolism; Mitochondria - drug effects; Mitochondria - metabolism; Molecular Targeted Therapy; NADPH oxidase (Nox); NADPH Oxidases - genetics; NADPH Oxidases - metabolism; Oxidases; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Phosphatase; Physiological aspects; Proteins; Reactive oxygen species (ROS); Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Redox signalling; Review; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Stem cells; Transcription factors
• ISSN: 1756-9966; 0392-9078; 1756-9966
• DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0797-0

Oxidative stress is related to ageing and degenerative diseases, including cancer. However, a moderate amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is required for the regulation of cellular signalling and gene expression. A low level of ROS is important for maintaining quiescence and the differentiation potential of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), whereas the level of ROS increases during haematopoietic differentiation; thus, suggesting the importance of redox signalling in haematopoiesis. Here, we will analyse the importance of ROS for haematopoiesis and include evidence showing that cells from leukaemia patients live under oxidative stress. The potential sources of ROS will be described. Finally, the level of oxidative stress in leukaemic cells can also be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. In this regard, the reliance of front-line anti-leukaemia chemotherapeutics on increased levels of ROS for their mechanism of action, as well as the active search for novel compounds that modulate the redox state of leukaemic cells, will be analysed.