International Journal of Hematology and Oncology 2023, Vol 33, Num 4 Page(s): 189-198
Differentiation Inducing Factor-1 Represses c-Myc and VEGF Expression in Myeloma Cells

Rajni KUMARI1, Rehan KHAN1, Alpana SHARMA1

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, New Delhi, INDIA

Keywords: c-Myc, VEGF, DIF-1, Multiple myeloma, RPMI8226
Cell adhesion mediated-drug resistance (CAM-DR) is designated as the culprit of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (MM). c-Myc and VEGF overexpression in MM is correlated with MM progression and CAM-DR in bone marrow microenvironment. c-Myc is responsible for hyperproliferation of myeloma cells whereas VEGF induces angiogenesis to support the hyperproliferation. Hence, c-Myc and VEGF represent the promiscuous targets in MM. In this study, we have examined online databases to verify the severity of c-Myc and VEGF expression in MM. Effect of differentiation inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) was studied by treating RPMI8226 cells with DIF-1 (10 μM) followed by qRT-PCR, western blotting, and cell proliferation by XTT. DIF-1 targets c-Myc and VEGF expression at both transcriptional and translational level in RPMI8226 cells. DIF-1 activates GSK-3β, which may influence c-Myc and VEGF expression. Hence, DIF-1 inhibits cell proliferation of MM cells. Our report is a maiden attempt to reveal that DIF-1 could act as an adjunct drug to overcome chemoresistance in MM in future.