AML1/ETO regulates the angiogenesis regulatory factor Angiopoietin-1

Translocation t(8;21), resulting in the AML1/ETO (AE) fusion gene is the most common cytogenetic abnormality in AML. Dysregulated angiogenesis in the bone marrow niche is predicted to have an important role in leukaemia pathogenesis. Angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1) is a cytokine involved in haematopoietic stem cell quiescence and regulation of microvessel density within the bone marrow. ANGPT1 also has a role in transendothelial migration and is upregulated in leukemic blasts from AML patients. In HL-60 and U937 transduced with AE, we observed an up to 280 fold increase in ANGPT1 mRNA transcript levels as measured by qR…