Grant Recipients

Acquired bone marrow failure syndromes, such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), are frequently caused by genetic mutations. Both the underlying mechanism and prognosis of MDS have been attributed to specific driver gene mutations, and genetic classification systems have led to improved clinical outcomes. Bone marrow failure, and MDS have been linked to autoimmune diseases although the clinical relevance of these associations has not been well defined. We identified an acquired mutation in the gene UBA1 that occurs in the earliest progenitors in the bone marrow, and leads to common inflammatory rheumatic and hematologic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and myelodysplastic syndrome. Patients with mutations in UBA1 have VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic)...

We discovered a way to express a gene or protein of interest in cancer cells, but not healthy normal cells. Specifically, we created synthetic (not occurring in nature) introns that we can introduce into any gene of interest, such as a “killer gene,” such that the encoded protein is produced in cancer cells carrying a defined, cancer-causing mutation, but not produced in healthy normal cells that do not carry that specific mutation. These types of cancer-causing mutations are mainly identified in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature or become healthy blood cells. We believe that these synthetic introns will enable the development of new cancer therapeutics that are highly specific to cancer cells while...

Circulating low-density granulocytes (LDGs) are a subgroup of neutrophils with immunoregulatory functions which can spontaneously release extracellular web-like structures (NETs) and cytokines sustaining T cell responses and dendritic cell activation. We hypothesize that LDGs and NETs might be impaired in functions and frequency during myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acquired aplastic anemia (AA) and might contribute to the suppression of hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation. We aim at investigating over a 12 month period the frequency and functions of LDGs and NET formation and composition in MDS and AA at diagnosis and during treatments. Moreover, the number of LDGs and NET levels will be correlate to other markers of inflammation and genomic alterations. This...

Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious blood disorder that occurs when the body’s bone marrow cannot produce enough healthy blood cells to function properly. Aplastic anemia can be classified as moderate, severe or very severe, depending on stability of blood cell count and other symptoms. Most cases of aplastic anemia are idiopathic, meaning the underlying cause is unknown. Aplastic anemia can be due to inherited (genetic) causes in a minority of cases. Although many patients with genetic causes of aplastic anemia will present with more moderate blood counts initially and may have a family history of blood disorders and other physical findings associated with these genetic disorders, some patients may not have any of these findings. It is not currently known how many patients who present...

Androgens have been used alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive therapy in aplastic anemia with inconsistent responses being reported. However, the exact mechanism of action of androgens is not known. Recent studies have shown that it tends to protect from telomere shortening in haematopoietic tissues by increasing telomerase activity. In addition, androgens exert various biological effects on both haematopoietic cells and stromal cells. Androgen receptors are found to be expressed on stromal cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, myeloblasts, myelocytes, neutrophils, and megakaryocytes. Androgens also have a suppressive effect on the immune system. Shortened telomeres in aplastic anemia were initially attributed to stress factors but was later recognized that telomere...