Exosomal DNMT1 mRNA transcript is elevated in acute lymphoblastic leukemia which might reprograms leukemia progression.

DNMT1 (DNA-methyltransferase 1) is an enzyme which contributes to the process of normal embryonic development, and aberrant expression of DNMT1 leads to tumor/leukemia progression by inducing significant changes in DNA methylation and epigenetics. We found that DNMT1 mRNA transcript is elevated in Exo-PALL compared to Exo-HD. We also confirmed and showed heightened levels of DNMT1 mRNA transcript in Exo-CM of leukemia cell lines. Co-culture of Exo-PALL with target cells (leukemia B cells) showed transfer of exosomal DNMT1 mRNA transcript into the target cells, which may reprogram the biological nature of normal healthy cells and leukemia cells.