CD56 and CD11b Positivity with Low Smac/DIABLO Expression as Predictors of Chemoresistance in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia: Flow Cytometric Analysis

Abstract

Background:

Resistance to chemotherapy is a major obstacle to curing acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and several antigens are claimed to play primary roles in this resistance.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of CD56, CD11b and Smac/DIABLO gene expression levels as prognostic markers of the clinical outcome, response to chemotherapy and survival of AML patients.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 60 naïve-AML patients who received induction therapy with mitoxantrone and cytarabine combined with a high dose of cytarabine. The CD56,CD11b and Smac/DIABLO expression levels were assessed using flow cytometry at diagnosis and were analysed for correlation with the possible associated risk factors, response to chemotherapy, and median duration of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results:

The overall results revealed that AML patients who exhibited positive expression for CD56 and CD11b had short median durations of DFS and OS.(P = 0.019, 0.006, 0.029 and 0.024, respectively). Additionally, low Smac/DIABLO expression had a negative impact on treatment outcome in terms of CR rate (p=0.012) and reduced DFS (p=0.000) and OS(p=0.000) values.

Conclusions:

CD56 and CD11b positivity and low Smac/DIABLO expression are important predictive factors for the occurrence of chemoresistance, in addition to other risk factors, among AML patients.

Introduction

Resistance to chemotherapy is a main obstacle to curing acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Leukaemic cells may exhibit either resistance due to their inherited genotype, or resistance acquired after sub-lethal exposure to anticancer drugs, which frequently occurs in the clinical management of leukaemia. Inherited or acquired genomic alterations lead to the synthesis of gene products responsible for reduced drug sensitivity (Tsuruo, 1988; Gottesman and Pastan,1988).

Among these gene products, the CD56 antigen, an isoform of the neural adhesion molecule on leukaemic blasts, has been proven by some studies to be an independent adverse prognostic factor for the achievement and duration of complete remission (CR), in even good-risk patients (Baer et al., 1997; Raspadori et al., 2001; Di Bona et al., 2002).

Another antigen that has been proven to play a role in resistance to therapy is CD11b, which is reported to be bound by malignant cells to limit antitumour immunity and promote malignant expansion or refractoriness to treatment (Shojaei et al., 2007; De Veirman et al., 2014; Younos et al., 2015). CD11b is a type of cell surface receptor that is selectively expressed on leukocytes. This protein has several names such as integrin alpha M (ITGAM), complement component 3 receptor alpha chain (CR3a), and macrophage receptor 1 alpha subunit (MAC1a) (Arnaout et al., 1988). This protein can contribute to cell activation, chemotaxis, cytotoxicity, and phagocytosis and controls the interaction of leukaemic cells with the microenvironment via binding to ligands (Fan et al.,1991; Coombe et al.,1994). Therefore, CD11b is thought play an important role in the regulation of the biology of malignant AML cells and the expression level of CD11b may affect the prognosis of AML patients.

Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (Smac/DIABLO), a mitochondria-derived proapoptotic protein, enhances the apoptosis by antagonizing the caspase inhibitory effect of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), thereby enhancing apoptosis (Du et al., 2000).

Smac/DIABLO is synthesized in the cytoplasm and imported to the inter-membranous space of mitochondria and was found to play a significant role in the sensitization of cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic regimens (Pluta et al., 2010). Smac/DIABLO is important in the determination of the sensitivity of cancer cells to apoptotic death induced by various stimuli including chemotherapy. Therefore, in the present study, we used flow cytometry to evaluate the role of the immunophenotypic expressions of CD56, CD11b and Smac/DIABLO on clinical outcome and chemotherapeutic response, and the possibility of using these proteins as significant prognostic markers in AML patients.

Materials and Methods

Study design and participants

A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on sixty naïve-adult AML patients, who were treated and followed up, within January 2011 and December 2015, respectively. The patients were recruited from the Medical Oncology and Haematological Malignancies Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, in collaboration with the Clinical Pathology and Medical Biochemistry Departments, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt. The study was approved by the local institutional review board, in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation and with the Declarations of Helsinki (WHO, 2001). Written informed consent was obtained from every patient included in the study after complete explanation of the purposes of the study and the procedures involved. Patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia were excluded from the study because they were subjected to different treatments. All patients were subjected to thorough history-taking and physical and clinical examination.

Therapeutic protocol

The treatment used in this study followed the local institutional protocol, which consisted of induction chemotherapy with a 7-day continuous infusion of cytosine-arabinoside (200 mg/m²) and administration of mitoxantrone (12 mg/m², in 1 hour) for 3 days. Post-induction therapy included the administration of a high dose of cytosine-arabinoside (3,000 mg/m², twice daily; days 1, 3, and 5) and additional course; patients > 65 years old received lower doses of the drugs.

Treatment outcomes

Treatment outcomes were categorized (Suliman et al., 2013), as follows: CR (cellular marrow with less than 5% of blast cells, a neutrophil count ≥ 1.0 ×10⁹/L, platelet count ≥100x10⁹/L and no evidence of extramedullary leukaemia); primary resistance (cellular marrow with> 5% blast cells or evidence of leukaemia in other sites); early relapse (relapse within 6 months after achieving remission). Primary resistance and early relapse accounted for all the early failures. The overall survival (OS) was calculated from the date of diagnosis to the date of death, and the duration of disease-free survival (DFS) was measured from the date of CR until the date of relapse or death, regardless of the cause of death (Cheson et al., 2003).

Laboratory workup

Bone marrow samples were collected at the time of diagnosis in EDTA tubes for flow cytometric immunophenotyping. The diagnosis was based on clinical and standard morphologic, cytochemical, immunophenotypic, and cytogenetic criteria.

A) Routine laboratory assays included the following

1. Complete blood pictures were obtained using Cell Dyn 3500 automated cell counter (Abbott Diagnostic, Germany), and peripheral smear examinations were performed manually.

2. Bone marrow examination and cytochemical tests, such as myeloperoxidase, esterases and Periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) tests were routinely performed.

3. Immunophenotyping of leukaemic cells was performed on the bone marrow samples using flow cytometry for assessment of a routine panel of monoclonal antibodies (used in diagnosis of AML) against CD34. CD13, CD33, CD117, CD15, intracellular myeloperoxidase, CD14, HLA-DR, CD41, CD61, and glycophorin A. All monoclonal antibodies were purchased from Becton Dickinson (BD) Bioscience, CA, USA.

4. Molecular genetic studies were performed to detect the presence of t (15;17) (q22;q12) to exclude M3. The t (8;21), inv (16) and t (16;16) abnormalities were routinely assessed and defined as favourable prognostic abnormalities, while the t (9;22) and myeloid/lymphoid leukemia (MLL) gene abnormalities were defined as unfavourable. The FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation was assessed by routine molecular analysis for all patients. The data regarding the genetic studies were obtained from the patients’ files.

B) Specific laboratory assays included the following

1. Flow cytometric detection of CD56 and CD11b expression on the blast cells

Fifty microliters of bone marrow sample was incubated with 5 µl of FITC- anti- CD56 and PE- anti CD11b (all from BD Biosciences, CA, USA) for 20 min. at room temperature in the dark. Following incubation, red blood cell (RBC) lysis and washing with PBS were performed. After washing, the cells were resuspended in PBS, and analysed by flow cytometry on a FACS Calibur instrument with Cell Quest software (BD Biosciences, USA). An isotype-matched IgG negative control was used with each sample. Forward and side scatter histograms were used to define the blast cell population. The blast cells were then gated for further analysis of the CD56 and CD11b. CD56 and CD11b expression was considered to be positive when at least 20% of the blasts expressed the marker.

2. Flow cytometric detection of the expression of the Smac/DIABLO protein

An anti-SMAC mouse monoclonal antibody for the human SMAC protein [Anti-Smac/DIABLO antibody [Y12] (Abcam 32023)] raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to C- terminal residues human Smac/DIABLO) and anti-mouse IgG-FITC were used for detection of the Smac protein (BD Biosciences, San Jose, California USA). Fifty microliters of bone marrow sample was incubated with 5µl of primary antibody (Anti-Smac/Diablo) in the dark at 4°C. After incubation, RBCs were lysed and washed with PBS. The cells were fixed with fixing solution and incubated for 10 minutes. The cells were then washed with PBS, and permeabilization solution and 5 µl of secondary anti-mouse IgG-FITC antibody were added and the cells were incubated for 1 hour. The cells were then resuspended in PBS and subjected to flow cytometric analysis on a FACS Calibur instrument with Cell Quest software (BD Biosciences, USA). An IgG isotype-matched negative control was performed with each sample. Forward and side scatter histograms were used to define the blast cell population. The blast cells were then gated for further detection of Smac/DIABLO expression. The expression of Smac/DIABLO is presented as a percentage of leukaemic blasts. High and low expressions were established according to the estimated number of Smac/DIABLO-positive cells in the whole group of patients.

C) Statistics analysis

Continuous variables were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (SD) and Χ² test was employed to compare differences between groups. Univariate analyses were used to identify variables affecting response to therapy. DFS and OS values were calculated (Kaplan and Meier, 1958). Differences among groups were compared by the log-rank test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Demographic and clinical data of the included patients with regard to CD56, CD11b and Smac/DIABLO expression (Table 1).

Table 1.

Demographic and Clinical Data of the Included Patients in Relation to CD56 and CD11b and Smac/DIABLO Expressions

Variables N=60	CD56+ N=29	CD56- N=31	*p value	CD11b+ N=36	CD11b- N=24	*p value	Smac/DIABLO- high N=30	Smac/DIABLO- low N=30	*p value
Age (years), range	19-55	18-56	NS	18-52	19-56	NS	24-54	25-55	NS
Gender
Male	19	20	NS	25	12	NS	18	20	NS
Female	10	11		11	12		12	10
FAB Classification
M0 (n=1)	0	1		1	0		0	1
M1 (n=13)	1	2		2	1		1	2
M2 (n= 32)	10	22	NS	16	16	NS	14	18	NS
M4 (n=12)	8	3		10	2		8	4
M5 (n=11)	9	2		8	3		7	5
M6 (n=1)	1	0		0	1		1	0

^*Statistically significant at p≤0.05; NS, Not statistically significant.

The present study was conducted on sixty AML patients, 39 of whom were males and 21 were females with a median age of 32 years (range 18- 61). According to the French-American-British (FAB) criteria, one patient was diagnosed with M0, 3 with M1, 32 with M2, 12 with M4, 11 with M5, one with M6 and none with M7.

CD56 expression was detected in 29/60 (48%) patients with a mean level of 42% and CD11b was expressed in 36/60 (60%) patients with a mean level of 34%.The median expression of intracellular expression of Smac/DIABLO in the newly diagnosed AML patients was 73.50% with 30/60 (50%) patients exhibiting low expression of Smac/DIABLO (less than the median).

Regarding CD56, CD11b and Smac/DIABLO expression, there were no statistically significant differences between CD56+, CD56- or CD11b+, CD11b- or high or low Smac/DIABLO in terms of age, gender or FAB class.

CD56, CD11b and Smac/DIABLO expression with regard to other prognostic markers (Table 2).

Table 2.

CD56 and CD11b and Smac/DIABLO Expressions in Relation to Other Prognostic Markers

Variables N=60	CD56+ N=29	CD56- N=31	p value	CD11b+ N=36	CD11b- N=24	p value	Smac/DIABLO- high N=30	Smac/DIABLO- low N=30	*p value
WBCs (109/L)	18.75±1.9	15.89± 2.2	NS	15.89 ±1.9	15.77±2.2	NS	12.80±1.7	16.90±2	NS
Marrow blast %	38.98 ±2.2	21.98± 2.5	NS	21.97 ±2.5	24.98±2.2	NS	21.90±2.1	22.98±2.5	NS
CD34 %	39.91 ±1.4	32.57± 3.2	NS	3.95 ±2.8	2.87±2.2	NS	29.91±3.2	2.87±2.2	NS
FLT3 +ve (N=19)	13/29	6/31	0.032*	12/36	7/24	0.030*	6/3	13/3	NS
CD 117+ve (N= 24)	16/29	8/31	NS	16/36	8/24	0.04*	5/3	19/3	0.02*
MLL gene +ve (N=18)	14/29	4/3	NS	13/36	5/24	0.02*	6/3	12/3	0.039*

^*Statistically significant at p≤0.05; NS, Not statistically significant.

CD56, CD11b and Smac/DIABLO expression exhibited non-significant relationships with white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of bone marrow blasts and CD34 expression. There was significantly high FLT3 positivity among CD56+ and CD11b+ AML patients, as well as high CD 117 and MLL gene positivity among CD11b+ patients and patients with low Smac/DIABLO expression.

Association between CD56, CD11b and SMAC/DIABLO expression and treatment outcomes (Table 3).

Table 3.

Association between CD56, CD11b and Smac/DIABLO Expression and Response of Patients to Chemotherapy

Variables	Complete remission N=38	Primary resistance N=13	Early relapse N=7	*p value
CD11b
+ve	16	10	5	0.046*
-ve	22	3	2
CD56
+ve	15	9	5	0.035*
-ve	23	4	2
Smac/DIABLO
High	24	2	1	0.001*
low	14	11	6

^*Statistically significant at p≤0.05; NS, Not statistically significant.

Response to therapy was observed in all 60 patients who enrolled in the study, 38 out of 60 (63%) of whom achieved CR and 13/60 (22%) exhibited primary resistance. Two patients (3%) died during induction of chemotherapy due to complications associated with treatment, and 7 patients relapsed within 6 months.

CD56, CD11b and Smac/DIABLO expression with regard to the median duration of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

The Kaplan-Meier Curves of CD56 (A), CD11b (B) and Smac/DIABLO (C) Expressions with the Median Duration of Disease-free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS).

The DFS and OS values were significantly lower in the CD56 + and CD11b + groups than in the CD56- and CD11b- groups (P = 0.019, 0.006, 0.029 and 0.024, respectively). In addition, low Smac/DIABLO expression was associated with poor response to therapy and low, DFS (P=0.000) and OS (P= 0.000) values.

There was significant positive correlation between CD56 and CD11b expression (r= 0.3, p =0.04); however, there was no significant correlation between low expression of Smac /DIABLO and positive expression of either CD59 or CD11b (p=0.542 and 0.93, respectively).

Discussion

AML is a common adult leukaemia that has several subgroups with variable clinical features, responses to therapy and prognoses (Siegel et al., 2014; Haferlach, 2008). FCI has an established diagnostic role in AML (Haferlach et al., 2007), but the prognostic significance of this method remains controversial (Webber et al., 2008). The clinical significance of CD11b and CD56 antigen expression as unfavourable prognostic factors for AML has not been elucidated. In addition, literature reviews regarding the evaluation of proapoptotic Smac/DIABLO expression in AML patients are few.

The findings of the present study revealed frequent high expression of CD11b, followed by Smac/DIABLO, and CD56, in approximately half of the included AML patients without significant differences in age, sex or FAB subtype. These findings were consistent with those of many studies (Xu et al., 2015; Pluta et al., 2010; Suliman et al., 2013; Ono et al., 2014).

Cytogenetic parameters are among the most important prognostic parameters for AML, and are used in clinical practice to stratify AML patients and guide treatment (Orend et al., 2013; Bochtler et al., 2013) Our findings showed non-significant associations between CD11b, CD56 and Smac/DIABLO expression with WBC counts and marrow blast or CD 34 %, with a significant association observed between CD56+ and CD11b+ with the unfavourable cytogenetic marker FLT3. Additionally, there were significant associations between CD11b+ and low Smac/DIABLO expression with both the MLL gene and the unfavourable cytogenetic marker CD117. These findings were consistent with the findings of Ciolli et al., (2001), Di Bona et al., (2002) , Suliman et al., (2013), Junca et al., (2014) and Xu et al., (2015).

CD11b is reported to be involved in restraining antitumour immunity and promoting the expansion and drug resistance of haematological malignant cells (Ahn et al., 2010; Younos et al., 2015). Recently, many investigators have suggested that the expression of the CD56 antigen, a neural adhesion factor, is associated with high relapse rate and poor outcome in acute leukaemia (Ito et al., 2004; Montesinos et al., 2011). Although the actual mechanism via which CD56 in reduces the sensitivity to chemotherapy is unknown, it has been suggested that CD56 is associated with the overexpression of P-glycoprotein (PGP), resulting in a reduction of intracellular drug concentrations (Raspadori et al., 2002). Regarding the treatment outcome and the studied markers, a significant association was observed for primary resistance and early relapse with CD56 and CD11 positivity among the included AML patients. Moreover, our results showed a significant association between CD56 and CD11b expression with low OS and DFS values, which was consistent with the results of Amirghofran et al., (2001) and Xu et al., (2009).

Research on the various pathways implicated in the escape from apoptosis (programmed cell death) is essential and aids the management of AML. Imbalance between cell survival and death resulting from the ability of cancer cells to escape apoptosis, plays an important role in the development of AML, therapeutic resistance and cancer progression (Zhivotovsky and Orrenius, 2006; Zhivotovsky and Orrenius, 2010; Pan et al., 2016; Apidi et al., 2018). Although, in the present study, high and low Smac/DIABLO protein expression appeared to be equally distributed among the included AML patients, subsequent data analysis revealed that low expression levels of Smac/DIABLO protein are associated with reduced sensitivity to standard chemotherapy in the form of primary resistance and early relapse, with low DFS and OS values observed in AML patients. This finding was comparable to the data reported by Pluta et al., (2010) and Pluta et al., (2015), who reported that the decreased expression of Smac/DIABLO and unfavourable cytogenetic parameters were associated with treatment failure. The authors also observed that high Smac/DIABLO gene expression is an independent prognostic factor for high CR rates and high OS values as cells with high Smac/DIABLO expression had low apoptotic resistance, leading to improved responsiveness to treatment and reduced susceptibility to cancer progression (Suliman et al., 2013).

To the best of our knowledge, there are no published studies regarding the correlation of CD56+ or, CD11B+ with Smac/DIABLO expression. The present study revealed a significant positive correlation between CD56+, and CD11B+, with non-significant correlations observed between the studied markers, which highlights the independent roles of these proteins and confirms the heterogeneous nature of AML.

In conclusion, the present study confirms that CD56 and CD11b positivity with low expression of Smac/DIABLO could be considered as a useful indicator of chemoresistance and a poor prognostic marker in AML patients, along with other known cytogenetic prognostic markers. In terms of clinical significance, this expression pattern might be helpful in drug targeting, drug design and therapy and could aid the decision making process for different AML treatment strategies.

Disclosure

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this work.

Funding

No funding was provided by any institution for this study; this study was funded by the authors themselves.