The CSF3R T618I Mutation Found In Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia Removes An O-Linked Glycosylation Site and Increases Receptor Dimerization

We have recently identified mutations in Colony Stimulating Factor 3 Receptor (CSF3R, aka GCSFR) in ∼60% of chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) and atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) patients (Maxson et al, NEJM 2013). These mutations fall into two categories: membrane proximal point mutations (the most common of which is T618I) and truncation mutations. Drug and siRNA screening of primary patient samples revealed that the two classes of CSF3R mutations exhibit differential sensitivity to inhibition of SRC or JAK kinases. CSF3R truncation mutations conferred sensitivity to SRC family kinase inhibition, while CSF3R membrane proximal mutations (T618I) conferred sensitivity to JAK kinase inhibition. A patient with the T618I membrane proximal mutation responded to treatment with the FDA approved JAK inhibitor, ruxolitinib. CSF3R truncation mutations have also been observed in a subset of severe congenital neutropenia patients who are at high risk for development of acute myeloid leukemia. Prior studies in this context have shown that truncation mutations result in loss of endocytic and degradation motifs, leading to increased expression of the receptor. The differences in signaling and drug sensitivity of these mutation classes suggest that membrane proximal mutations may activate CSF3R signaling through a distinct, as-yet unknown mechanism. Furthermore, a subset of CNL patients harbor both membrane proximal and truncation mutations on the same allele, though the consequences of these compound mutations are not yet known.

CSF3R expression level and banding pattern were assessed by immunoblot of lysates from 293T17 cells transfected with wild type, membrane proximal mutant, or truncation mutant CSF3R. O-linked glycosylation was removed from the receptor by treatment with O-glycosidase and neuraminidase. Ligand independence of the CSF3R mutants was analyzed in murine interleukin-3 (IL3)-dependent Ba/F3 cells. CSF3R dimerization was assessed by co-transfecting CSF3R-Flag and CSF3R-V5 tagged constructs and then immunoprecipitating CSF3R-Flag and detecting co-immunoprecipitation of the CSF3R-V5 by immunoblot. Transforming potential of the CSF3R compound mutations relative to the corresponding point or truncation mutations was assessed by analyzing IL3-independent growth of Ba/F3 cells or mouse bone marrow colony formation.

To better understand the functional and biochemical differences between membrane proximal and truncation mutant CSF3R, we examined transformation potential, requirement for ligand, and expression patterns in Ba/F3 and 293T17 cells. We found membrane proximal mutations to exhibit rapid transformation potential and ligand independence, while truncation mutations exhibited delayed transformation and ligand hypersensitivity. Unlike the truncation mutations, which induce dramatic overexpression of CSF3R, the T618I mutation did not result in overexpression of the receptor but instead induced a shifted banding pattern, indicative of altered protein modification. We examined the amino acid sequence surrounding the membrane proximal mutations and found residue T618 to be part of a consensus motif for O-glycosylation, wherein wild type CSF3R is O-glycosylated and the T618I mutation abrogates this O-glycosylation event. Furthermore, the T618I mutation exhibited increased receptor dimerization compared to wild type CSF3R, which likely explains its ligand independence. Finally, we found that CSF3R compound mutations have increased transforming potential in Ba/F3 and murine bone marrow colony assays compared with either class of single mutation, further underscoring the different mechanisms of action of the membrane proximal and truncation mutations.

CSF3R represents a promising therapeutic target for patients with CNL. We show that T618I, the most common CSF3R mutation in CNL, is part of an O-linked glycosylation site. Mutation of this residue leads to loss of O-linked glycosylation and represents a novel mechanism of homodimeric cytokine receptor activation. CSF3R compound mutations are more rapidly transforming relative to the membrane proximal or truncation mutations alone, warranting their further investigation for patient prognosis and therapy.

Off Label Use: Ruxolitinib - a JAK1/2 inhibitor that we propose can be used off-label for disease management of CSF3R-mutant neutrophilic leukemia. Gotlib:Incyte: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Travel Support Other. Fleischman:Incyte: Speakers Bureau. Collins:Genoptix: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Oh:Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Deininger:Novartis: Advisory Boards, Advisory Boards Other, Consultancy, Research Funding; Ariad Pharmaceuticals: Advisory Boards, Advisory Boards Other, Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Advisory Boards Other, Consultancy, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Druker:Bristol-Myers Squibb: PI or co-investigator on BMS clinical trials. OHSU and Dr. Druker have a financial interest in MolecularMD. OHSU has licensed technology used in some of these clinical trials to MolecularMD. Potential conflicts of interest are managed by OHSU. Other; Novartis: PI or co-investigator on Novartis clinical trials. OHSU and Dr. Druker have a financial interest in MolecularMD. OHSU has licensed technology used in some of these clinical trials to MolecularMD. Potential conflicts of interest are managed by OHSU., PI or co-investigator on Novartis clinical trials. OHSU and Dr. Druker have a financial interest in MolecularMD. OHSU has licensed technology used in some of these clinical trials to MolecularMD. Potential conflicts of interest are managed by OHSU. Other; Incyte: PI or co-investigator on clinical trials., PI or co-investigator on clinical trials. Other. Tyner:Incyte Corporation: Research Funding.