Simultaneous Disruption of XPO1 and A20 in Murine B Cells Influences Both B and T Cell Repertoire

Introduction & Objectives: Efforts to characterize the heterogeneity of advanced hematologic malignancies using large-scale genomic studies have identified recurrent monoallelic mutations affecting the E571 residue of the essential nuclear exporter, Exportin-1 (XPO1; E571K in ~80% of cases, E571G in ~15% of cases). E571-XPO1 mutations alter the charge and structural basis of the cargo-binding region, disrupting critical biophysical interactions between XPO1 and its' cargos. Enriched in hematologic malignancies, E571-XPO1 mutations are predominantly reported in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; 5-10% of cases), classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (~25% of cases), and primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma (PMBCL; 25-30% of cases). The subsequent change in XPO1-cargo localization alters the transcriptional profile and overall phenotype of the leukemic cell, with evidence suggesting hyper-active NF-κB and NFAT signaling pathways as leading leukemogenic mechanisms. Moreover, while overall immune dysfunction in CLL leads to infections as a major cause of morbidity and mortality, CLL patients with E571-XPO1 mutations are more susceptible to death by infection, suggesting these mutations may exacerbate the leukemia-induced immunosuppressive phenotype.

Similarly, inactivating mutations/deletions to A20 (TNFAIP3 gene), the master regulator of NF-κB, are recurrently reported in several B cell malignancies but most frequently observed in PMBCL (~30% of cases). E571-XPO1 mutations and TNFAIP3 deletions/mutations have been found as co-occurring genetic abnormalities in PMBCL, and while TNFAIP3 mutations in CLL are rare, functional convergence on NF-κB and immune signaling suggests altered XPO1 and A20 activity may have unreported pathogenic significance in CLL. Thus, we aimed to explore the oncogenic and immunologic consequence of co-occurring XPO1 and A20 abnormalities by evaluating a novel in-vivo model recapitulating this scenario.

Methods: To explore concurrent aberrations to XPO1 and A20, we developed a novel mouse model to recapitulate this event (Eµ-XPO1xA20 ^KO). This model was generated by crossing the Eµ-XPO1 transgenic mouse - which overexpresses wildtype (WT), E571K, or E571G-XPO1 under control of a VH promoter-IgH-Eµ enhancer to target transgene expression to immature and mature B cells - with a B cell-specific A20 inactivation mouse (A20 ^KO) - which lacks functional A20 as a result of Cre recombinase-mediated excision of TNFAIP3 exon 3 via loxP recombination sites flanking this region and Cre recombinase expressed under CD19 promoter/enhancer elements. Eµ-XPO1 and Eµ-XPO1xA20 ^KO mice were aged and followed, and their B and T cell repertoire was assessed via flow cytometry.

Results & Conclusion: We previously demonstrated Eµ-XPO1 mice develop a CLL-like disease (CD19+/CD5+/B220dim B lymphocytes), but leukemia development is significantly delayed - evident between 20-30 months of age. Preliminary analysis in adolescent animals revealed irregular lymphocyte populations as early as 6 months of age in the blood and spleen of Eµ-XPO1xA20 ^KO mice when compared to non-transgenic and Eµ-XPO1 mice; highlighted by elevated populations of CD93+/CD23+ transitional B cells and CD3+ T cells, and reduced populations of CD21+/IgM+ marginal zone B cells. Moreover, development of a circulating CLL-like disease accompanied by palpable lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly was observed in Eµ-XPO1xA20 ^KO mice as early as 17-20 months of age, again presenting a distinct immunophenotype inconsistent with that observed in Eµ-XPO1 mice. Additionally, progressive accumulation of CD3+/CD19- T cell leukemia-like populations were observed in a subset of Eµ-XPO1xA20 ^KO and A20 ^KO mice, indicating these aberrations may further disrupt and stimulate uncontrolled proliferation affecting the overall immune repertoire.

Significance: We report that simultaneous disruption of essential regulators XPO1 and A20 in murine B cells encourages development of irregular B and T cell populations, and can stimulate a progressive CLL-like or T cell leukemia-like expansion. Continued investigation with these models can further our understanding of the relationship between overall immune function and these critical regulatory molecules, and can provide considerable insight to identifying pathways for selective targeting as a personalized therapy in several high-risk cancer types.