title: VEGF receptors on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells interact with STAT 1 and 3: implication for apoptosis resistance.
abstract: We have previously shown that chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vitro, have constitutively active VEGF receptors R1 and R2, and respond to exogenous VEGF by specifically upregulating Mcl-1 and XIAP in association with decreased cell death. We found that epigallocatechin (EGCG) decreases VEGF receptor phosphorylation and induces apoptosis in CLL B cells. The mechanism(s) by which VEGF receptor activation increases Mcl-1 and XIAP and promotes survival remains unknown. To further define the signaling pathway mediating VEGF induction of antiapoptotic proteins in CLL B-cells, we investigated downstream effects of VEGF-VEGF receptor binding on the STAT signaling pathway. We find that CLL B cells abundantly express cytoplasmic serine phosphorylated (p)-STAT-1 and p-STAT-3, VEGF-R1/2 are physically associated with p-STAT-1 and p-STAT-3, and p-STAT-3 (but not p-STAT-1) is found in the CLL nucleus. VEGF receptor ligation selectively induces activation and perinuclear translocation of STAT 3 through receptor-mediated endocytosis. The inhibition of VEGF receptor activation with either tyrosine kinase inhibitors or VEGF neutralizing antibodies inhibit VEGF receptor phosphorylation, decrease p-STAT-3 (serine 727), Mcl-1, and induces cell death in CLL B cells. Thus, a VEGF-VEGF receptor pathway in CLL B cells can be linked to activation of STAT proteins that are able to enhance their apoptotic resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Shanafelt
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Bone
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Strege
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Jelinek
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Kay
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D019898:Autocrine Communication; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D012694:Serine / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor; C494079:STAT1 protein, human; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D012694:Serine; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2