Crosstalk between BCR-ABL and protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) suggests a novel target in chronic myeloid leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome, which generates the oncogene BCR-ABL1. Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) is involved in tumor progression and angiogenesis. We have previously reported that PAR1 expression is elevated in human leukemias that display a more aggressive clinical behavior, including the blast crisis of CML. In this study, we analyzed the crosstalk between the oncoprotein BCR-ABL and PAR1 in CML. Leukemic cell lines transfected with the BCR-ABL1 oncogene showed significantly higher expression levels of PAR1 compared with that of wild-type counterparts. This phenomenon was reversed by treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Conversely, treatment with the PAR1 antagonist SCH79797 inhibited BCR-ABL expression. The PAR1 antagonist induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Higher vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were observed in cells transfected with BCR-ABL1 than in their wild-type counterparts. VEGF expression was strongly inhibited after treatment with either TKIs or the PAR1 antagonist. Finally, we evaluated PAR1 expression in CML patients who were either in the blast or chronic phases and had either received TKI treatment or no treatment. A significant decrease in PAR1 expression was observed in treatment-responsive patients, as opposed to a significant increase in PAR1 expression levels in treatment-resistant patients. Patients classified as high risk according to the Sokal index showed higher PAR1 expression levels. Our results demonstrate the crosstalk between BCR-ABL and PAR1. These data may offer important insight into the development of new therapeutic strategies for CML.