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

Background: Diffuse 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.

Methods: Cell 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.

Results: SOX9 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.

Conclusions: Our 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.