Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of diseases that affect normal blood cell production in the bone marrow. In this case the bone marrow causes an overproduction of one or more blood cell types (red cells, white cells or platelets). Complications arise over time due to the abnormally high number of blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and in the circulating blood. In many cases, these diseases develop slowly and get worse gradually. In some cases, MPN can progress to leukemia. Compounds capable of preventing and treating these types of diseases are urgently needed.
CNIC researchers have identified new therapeutic targets based on alterations in the regulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the hematopoietic niche by sympathetic nerves. They have also defined an in vitro method for prognosis/diagnosis of MPNs and/or to define the disease´s stage, and a method to screen for therapeutic compounds useful to treat MPNs.
CNIC researchers have described the neural mechanisms regulating the hematopoietic niche, regulatory mechanisms that are impaired in myeloproliferative neoplasms and that contribute to the disease´s pathogenesis, thereby emerging as new therapeutic targets. They have demonstrated that production of Interleukin-1 beta by mutant progenitors can damage the Schwann cells that protect sympathetic nerve endings in the bone marrow. This neuroglial damage enhances the susceptibility of mesenchymal stem cell in the hematopoietic niche to cell death caused by mutant hematopoietic cells. They have showed that CXCL12, a chemokine produced by nestin MSCs, can partially control the expansion of the mutant hematopoietic progenitors. The decrease in MSCs in the bone marrow and the concomitant decrease in CXCL12 levels in MPN accelerates disease progression. The use of neurotrophic agents that prevent or rescue neuro-glial damage, together with beta3-adrenergic agonists, which make up for the deficit of sympathetic stimulation of nestin MSCs, can control the expansion of leukemic stem cells and arrest disease progression. Therefore, they have proved the existence of a sympathetic neuropathy in MPN affecting the hematopoietic niche in the bone marrow, which plays an essential role in MPN pathogenesis and has consequently emerges as a new therapeutic target.
Applications
- This development could lead to the design of more efficient therapies for MPN treatment using currently available drugs, alone or in combination with other available treatments.
- We define a new MPN treatment that can arrest disease progression. This treatment could be extended to other hematological disorders that involve the degeneration of sympathetic fibers innervating the bone marrow.
Current development status
Tested in animal models
Desired business relationship
Patent licensing
The Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC) is a leading international research center dedicated to understanding the basis of cardiovascular health and disease and to translating this knowledge into improved patient care.
CNIC scientific area is organized into two departments focused on Basic Research and Clinical Research, fully interconnected through six multidisciplinary programs grouped into three research areas:
1 Vascular Pathophysiology
2 Myocardial Pathophysiology
3 Cell Developmental Biology
Our portfolio include biomarkers, genetic and diagnostic tools, animal models and treatments for cardiovascular, inflammatory and infectious diseases, among others. Some examples of our current projects include treatment for pulmonary hypertension, myeloproliferative diseases and trained immunity for prevention of infections. Regarding diagnosis, we are currently working on biomarkers for myocarditis, subclinical atherosclerosis and calcific aortic valve disease.
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