Niche-expressed Galectin-1 is involved in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia relapse through pre-B cell receptor activation

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) reflects the malignant counterpart of developing B cells in the bone marrow (BM). Despite tremendous progress in B-ALL treatment, the overall survival of adults at diagnosis and patients at all ages after relapse remains poor. Galectin-1 (GAL1) expressed by BM supportive niches delivers proliferation signals to normal pre-B cells through interaction with the pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR). Here, we asked whether GAL1 gives non-cell autonomous signals to pre-BCR+ pre-B ALL, in addition to cell-autonomous signals linked to genetic alterations. In syngeneic and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) murine models, murine and human pre-B ALL development is influenced by GAL1 produced by BM niches through pre-BCR-dependent signals, similarly to normal pre-B cells. Furthermore, targeting pre-BCR signaling together with cell-autonomous oncogenic pathways in pre-B ALL PDX improved treatment response. Our results show that non-cell autonomous signals transmitted by BM niches represent promising targets to improve B-ALL patient survival.