Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40356256›Full record

ArticleClinical and translational medicine2025

IRF4 contributes to chemoresistance in IGH::BCL2-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas by mediating BCL2-induced SOX9 expression.

Yirong Zhang, Zizhen Xu, Ruixin Sun, Yixuan Gao, Innocent Agida, Kasimujiang Aximujiang, Lin Yuan, Jiao Ma

Abstract read
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Article in Clinical and translational medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yirong ZhangDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
Zizhen XuDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, College of Health Science and Technology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
Ruixin SunDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
Yixuan GaoDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
Innocent AgidaDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
Kasimujiang AximujiangDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, PR China.
Lin YuanDepartment of Pathology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
Jiao MaDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.ORCID 0000-0001-8097-2202

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82370186Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai 23ZR1436100
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, has a high relapse/refractory rate. We previously identified sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box transcription factor (SOX9) as a transcription factor that serves as a prognostic biomarker, particularly in BCL2-overexpressing DLBCL, and plays a vital role in lymphomagenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms that modulate the aberrant expression of SOX9 in this DLBCL subset remain unknown.

methodsCell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle assays were performed to determine whether SOX9 contributes to DLBCL chemoresistance and rescues silencing IRF4-induced phenotypes. Protein‒protein interactions and protein ubiquitination were elucidated using immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to investigate IRF4 binding to the SOX9 promoter. The therapeutic potential of IRF4 inhibition was evaluated in vitro and in a mouse model of DLBCL xenografts.

resultsSOX9 enhanced the resistance of the BCL2-overexpressing DLBCL subset to chemotherapy or a BCL2 inhibitor. Moreover, BCL2 inhibition downregulated SOX9 in an immunoglobulin heavy chain/BCL2-positive DLBCL subset. We further identified IRF4 as a key regulator of BCL2-induced SOX9 expression, and ChIP-seq confirmed that IRF4 is a key transcription factor for SOX9 in DLBCL. In addition, BCL2 promotes IRF4 entry into the nucleus by enhancing protein stability and downregulating proteasomal ubiquitination, thereby enforcing SOX9-mediated phenotypes. Finally, in a DLBCL cell line and xenografted mouse model, in vivo inhibition of IRF4 with an hIRF4 antisense oligonucleotide repressed lymphomagenesis and DLBCL chemoresistance.

conclusionsOur data support the conclusion that IRF4 plays an essential role in BCL2-induced upregulation of SOX9 expression, and targeting IRF4 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to cure relapsed and refractory DLBCL. KEYPOINTS/HIGHLIGHTS: BCL2 activated IRF4 by enhancing its nuclear activity to induce sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box 9 protein (SOX9) aberrant expression, which is a critical pathway for drug resistance in BCL2-overexpressing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Targeting IRF4 may be worth investigating further regarding its potential to overcome the chemoresistance of BCL2-overexpressing DLBCL to standard therapies.

Indexed as

Drug Resistance, NeoplasmInterferon Regulatory FactorsLymphoma, Large B-Cell, DiffuseProto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2SOX9 Transcription FactorAnimalsCell Line, TumorHumansInterferon Regulatory Factor-4MiceBCL2 protein, humanInterferon Regulatory Factor-4Interferon Regulatory FactorsProto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2SOX9 protein, humanSOX9 Transcription FactorBCL2chemoresistanceIGH::BCL2‐positive DLBCLIRF4SOX9

Identifiers

PMID40356256
PMCPMC12069798

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.