The level of TACI gene expression in myeloma cells is associated with a signature of microenvironment dependence versus a plasmablastic signature.
B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) have been shown to promote multiple myeloma (MM) cell growth. We show that the main site of production for BAFF and APRIL is the bone marrow (BM) environment, and that production is mainly by monocytes and neutrophils. In addition, osteoclasts produce very high levels of APRIL, unlike BM stromal cells. Myeloma cells (MMCs) express TACI (transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor), the receptor of BAFF/APRIL, at varying levels. TACI expression is a good indicator of a BAFF-binding receptor. Expression data of purified MMCs from 65 newly diagnosed patients have been generated using Affymetrix microarrays and were analyzed by supervised clustering of groups with higher (TACI(hi)) versus lower (TACI(lo)) TACI expression levels. Patients in the TACI(lo) group had clinical parameters associated with bad prognosis. A set of 659 genes was differentially expressed between TACI(hi) and TACI(lo) MMCs. This set makes it possible to efficiently classify TACI(hi) and TACI(lo) MMCs in an independent cohort of 40 patients. TACI(hi) MMCs displayed a mature plasma cell gene signature, indicating dependence on the BM environment. In contrast, the TACI(lo) group had a gene signature of plasmablasts, suggesting an attenuated dependence on the BM environment. Taken together, our findings suggest using gene expression profiling to identify the group of patients who might benefit most from treatment with BAFF/APRIL inhibitors.
Moreaux
Jérôme
J
INSERM U475, 99, rue Puech Villa, 34197 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
Cremer
Friedrich W
FW
Reme
Thierry
T
Raab
Marc
M
Mahtouk
Karene
K
Kaukel
Philine
P
Pantesco
Veronique
V
De Vos
John
J
Jourdan
Eric
E
Jauch
Anna
A
Legouffe
Eric
E
Moos
Marion
M
Fiol
Genevieve
G
Goldschmidt
Hartmut
H
Rossi
Jean François
JF
Hose
Dirk
D
Klein
Bernard
B
D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000378:metabolism; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000378:metabolism; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D053303:Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C108467:TNFRSF13B protein, human; C114631:TNFSF13 protein, human; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; D053303:Transmembrane Activator and CAML Interactor Protein; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha