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Kinetics of the in vivo expression of glucocorticoid receptor splice variants during prednisone treatment in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Author(s) -
Lauten Melchior,
FernandezMunoz Ivonne,
Gerdes Katrin,
von Neuhoff Nils,
Welte Karl,
Schlegelberger Brigitte,
Schrappe Martin,
Beger Carmela
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21867
Subject(s) - splice , glucocorticoid , glucocorticoid receptor , prednisone , in vivo , medicine , ex vivo , stimulation , downregulation and upregulation , endocrinology , immunology , cancer research , biology , gene , genetics
Background The in vivo glucocorticoid response in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) correlates with the response to multi‐agent chemotherapy. However, it is still unclear, whether the expression levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) splice variants facilitate the escape from glucocorticoid‐induced apoptosis and hence contribute to glucocorticoid resistance. Procedure In the present study, the initial in vivo expression of the common GR (cGR) and its splice variants GR‐alpha, GR‐gamma and GR‐P was determined using a quantitative RT‐PCR approach. Two cohorts of glucocorticoid sensitive (prednisone good responder, PGR) and resistant (prednisone poor responder, PPR) patients were compared. The kinetics of GR splice variant expression was measured during 36 hr following the first use of glucocorticoids in seven patients. Results The GR splice variant GR‐gamma showed the most pronounced differential regulation comparing PPR and PGR patients in both cohorts. GR‐alpha and GR‐gamma were upregulated faster and to a higher level in PGR as compared to PPR in the in vivo stimulation cohort. Here as well, the most pronounced effect was observed for GR‐gamma. Conclusions Differential regulation of the cGR and its splice variants under glucocorticoid treatment rather than the expression level at diagnosis is associated with glucocorticoid response. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:459–463. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.