CRIP1 supports the growth and migration of AML-M5 subtype cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway

• Published in: Leukemia research 2023-07, Vol.130, p.107312-107312, Article 107312
• Main Authors: Deng, Xiaoling, Zeng, Yanmei, Qiu, Xiaofen, Zhong, Mingxing, Xiong, Xiujuan, Luo, Mansheng, Zhang, Jingdong, Chen, Xiaoli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute myeloid leukemia; Apoptosis; beta Catenin - genetics; beta Catenin - metabolism; Carrier Proteins; Cell cycle; Cell growth; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; CRIP1; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - drug therapy; LIM Domain Proteins; Migration; Wnt Signaling Pathway; β-catenin
• ISSN: 0145-2126; 1873-5835
• DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2023.107312

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clinically and molecularly heterogeneous hematopoietic disorder. To effectively eradicate AML, it is urgent to develop new therapeutic approaches and identify novel molecular targets. In silico analysis indicated that the expression of cysteine-rich intestinal protein 1 (CRIP1) was significantly elevated in AML cells and correlated with worse overall survival of the AML patients. However, its specific roles in AML remain elusive. Here we demonstrated that CRIP1 acted as a key oncogene to support AML cell survival and migration. Using a loss-of-function analysis, we found that CRIP1 silencing in U937 and THP1 cells by lentivirus-mediated shRNAs resulted in a decrease in cell growth, migration and colony formation, and an increase in chemosensitivity to Ara-C. CRIP1 silencing induced cell apoptosis and G1/S transition arrest. Mechanically, CRIP1 silencing caused inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway through upregulating axin1 protein. The Wnt/β-catenin agonist SKL2001 markedly rescued the cell growth and migration defect induced by CRIP1 silencing. Our findings reveals that CRIP1 may contribute to AML-M5 pathogenesis and represent a novel target for AML-M5 treatment. •CRIP1 silencing inhibited the proliferation, migration of AML-M5 cells and enhanced chemosensitivity to Ara-C.•CRIP1 silencing in AML-M5 cells induced cell apoptosis and G1/S transition arrest.•CRIP1 destabilized the β-catenin degradation complex though decreasing Axin1 protein to activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.