Inhibition of constitutive and BCR-induced Syk activation downregulates Mcl-1 and induces apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells

The protein kinase Syk is a key mediator of proximal B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling. Following antigen stimulation, Syk is recruited to the BCR and becomes activated by phosphorylation at Y352. Recently, Syk was found to be constitutively phosphorylated in several common B-cell lymphoma subtypes, indicating a role for antigen-independent Syk activation in the pathogenesis of these diseases. We now report that Syk is constitutively phosphorylated on the activating Y352 residue in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells. To examine the effects of constitutive Syk activity on intracellular signaling and leukemic cell survival, we performed in vitro studies with the Syk inhibitor R406. Treatment with R406 induced leukemic cell apoptosis in the majority of investigated cases and affected the basal activity or expression of several pro-survival molecules regulated by Syk, including the Akt and extracellular signal-regulated (ERK) kinases, and the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1. In addition, R406 prevented the increase in leukemic cell viability induced by sustained BCR engagement and inhibited BCR-induced Akt activation and Mcl-1 upregulation. Collectively, these data identify Syk as a potential target for CLL treatment and suggest that inhibition of this kinase could provide a double therapeutic benefit by disrupting both antigen-dependent and antigen-independent signaling pathways that regulate leukemic cell survival.