Characterization of the clonal hierarchy and immunophenotype of PTPN11 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia

Mutations in protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 11 (PTPN11) have been considered late acquired mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) development. Using single-cell DNA sequencing we found that PTPN11 mutations can occur as initiating events in some patients with AML when accompanied by strong oncogenic drivers, commonly NPM1 mutations. The resulting AML has a diverse set of variably differentiated myeloid cells with few myeloid cells that lack leukemic mutations. The role of Ptpn11 as a co-driver was confirmed in a murine model that exhibits an AML phenotype with a comparable immune diversity that is serially engraftable and reconstituted from early precursor cells. Furthermore, lineage negative bone marrow cells from these mice reconstitute the full diversity of mature myeloid cells, and these cells exhibit an altered cytokine response after physiologic stimulation. Our work highlights how PTPN11-mutated AML is derived from a multitude of co-dominant and late acquired aberrations that have a previously unrecognized differentiated myeloid clonal expansion potentially contributing to pathogenesis of the disease.