Figure 6. Schematic summary of our findings.

AML cells present high levels of ROS that activate the formation of gap junctions. ROS is transferred from AML cells to stromal cells through these gap junctions and it is utilised by stromal cells to convert pyruvate into acetate. Acetate is secreted from the stromal cells and uptake it by AML cells. In AML cells, imported acetate is used to feed the TCA cycle as well as for lipid biosynthesis, promoting the survival of the AML cell.