Magdalini Kanari, Iria Jimenez Garcia, Fabio D. Steffen, Lisa A. Krattiger, Charles Bataclan, Wangjie Liu, Benjamin R. Simona, Bart Deplancke, Olaia Naveiras, Martin Ehrbar, Beat Bornhauser, Jean-Pierre Bourquin
{"title":"A three-dimensional ex vivo model recapitulates in vivo features and drug resistance phenotypes in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia","authors":"Magdalini Kanari, Iria Jimenez Garcia, Fabio D. Steffen, Lisa A. Krattiger, Charles Bataclan, Wangjie Liu, Benjamin R. Simona, Bart Deplancke, Olaia Naveiras, Martin Ehrbar, Beat Bornhauser, Jean-Pierre Bourquin","doi":"10.1038/s41375-025-02739-8","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) preferentially localizes in the bone marrow (BM) and displays recurrent patterns of medullary and extra-medullary involvement. Leukemic cells exploit their niche for propagation and survive selective pressure by chemotherapy in the BM microenvironment, suggesting the existence of protective mechanisms. Here, we established a three-dimensional (3D) BM mimic with human mesenchymal stromal cells and endothelial cells that resemble vasculature-like structures to explore the interdependence of leukemic cells with their microenvironment. This model recapitulates recurrent topologic differences between B-cell and T-cell precursor ALL, whereby B-ALL interacts more closely with the mesenchymal compartment. Migration versatility was found to be associated with subtype, consistent with increased motility observed in T-ALL in vivo. Single-cell RNA signatures revealed similarities to profiles from in vivo patient derived xenografts, suggesting relevant states ex vivo. Furthermore, enhanced migration, adherence and cell cycle heterogeneity was visualized in our co-culture model. Finally, drug response experiments in this 3D model confirm clinically relevant sensitivity and resistance patterns that reflect specific disease phenotypes and may provide a broader dynamic range for drug response testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":18109,"journal":{"name":"Leukemia","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Leukemia","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41375-025-02739-8","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"HEMATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) preferentially localizes in the bone marrow (BM) and displays recurrent patterns of medullary and extra-medullary involvement. Leukemic cells exploit their niche for propagation and survive selective pressure by chemotherapy in the BM microenvironment, suggesting the existence of protective mechanisms. Here, we established a three-dimensional (3D) BM mimic with human mesenchymal stromal cells and endothelial cells that resemble vasculature-like structures to explore the interdependence of leukemic cells with their microenvironment. This model recapitulates recurrent topologic differences between B-cell and T-cell precursor ALL, whereby B-ALL interacts more closely with the mesenchymal compartment. Migration versatility was found to be associated with subtype, consistent with increased motility observed in T-ALL in vivo. Single-cell RNA signatures revealed similarities to profiles from in vivo patient derived xenografts, suggesting relevant states ex vivo. Furthermore, enhanced migration, adherence and cell cycle heterogeneity was visualized in our co-culture model. Finally, drug response experiments in this 3D model confirm clinically relevant sensitivity and resistance patterns that reflect specific disease phenotypes and may provide a broader dynamic range for drug response testing.
期刊介绍:
Title: Leukemia
Journal Overview:
Publishes high-quality, peer-reviewed research
Covers all aspects of research and treatment of leukemia and allied diseases
Includes studies of normal hemopoiesis due to comparative relevance
Topics of Interest:
Oncogenes
Growth factors
Stem cells
Leukemia genomics
Cell cycle
Signal transduction
Molecular targets for therapy
And more
Content Types:
Original research articles
Reviews
Letters
Correspondence
Comments elaborating on significant advances and covering topical issues