JMJD3-regulated expression of IL-6 is involved in the proliferation and chemosensitivity of acute myeloid leukemia cells

Abstract Emerging evidence shows that histone modification and its related regulators are involved in the progression and chemoresistance of multiple tumors including acute myeloid leukemia cells (AML). Our present study found that the expression of histone lysine demethylase Jumonji domain containing-3 (JMJD3) was increased in AML cells as compared with that in human primary bone marrow (HPBM) cells. Knockdown of JMJD3 can decrease the proliferation of AML cells and increase the chemosensitivity of daunorubicin (DNR) and cytarabine (Ara-C). By screening the expression of cytokines involved in AML progression, we found that knockdown of JMJD3 can inhibit the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Recombinant IL-6 (rIL-6) can attenuate si-JMJD3-suppressed proliferation of AML cells. Mechanistically, JMJD3 can positively regulate the promoter activity and transcription of IL-6 mRNA, while had no effect on its mRNA stability. Further, JMJD3 can regulate the expression of p65, which can directly bind with promoter of IL-6 to increase its transcription. Over expression of p65 significantly attenuated si-JMJD3-suppressed expression of IL-6. Collectively, we revealed that JMJD3 can regulate the proliferation and chemosensitivity of AML cells via upregulation of IL-6. It suggested that JMJD3 might be a potential therapy target for AML treatment.