Co-expression of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins and their binding proteins on lymphoblasts of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an anti-apoptotic role

Enhanced levels of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins (Neu5,9Ac 2 GPs) as disease-associated molecules was reported to act as signaling molecules for promoting survival of lymphoblasts in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Here, we searched for potential physiological ligands for Neu5,9Ac 2 GPs that could be involved in modulating the survival of lymphoblasts. Accordingly, we examined the presence of binding proteins for Neu5,9Ac 2 GPs on cell lines and primary cells of patients with B- and T-ALL, at presentation of the disease. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal healthy donors and cells from myeloid leukemia patients were used for comparison. Neu5,9Ac 2 GPs-binding proteins (BPs) were specifically detected on the surface of both T- and B-ALL-lymphoblasts and ALL-cell lines along with the consistent presence of Neu5,9Ac 2 GPs. The Neu5,9Ac 2 GPs and BPs also co-localized on the cell surface and interacted specifically in vitro. Apoptosis of lymphoblasts, induced by serum starvation, was reversed in the presence of purified Neu5,9Ac 2 GPs due to possible engagement of BPs, and the anti-apoptotic role of this interaction was established. This is the first report of the presence of potential physiological ligands for disease-associated molecules like Neu5,9Ac 2 GPs, the interaction of which is able to trigger an anti-apoptotic signal conferring a survival advantage to leukemic cells in childhood ALL.