Differential hMLH1 Gene Expression after Temozolomide Selection Linked to Microsatellite Instability in a Subset of Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells in Old Versus Young and Cancer Versus Normal Patient Samples.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 509-509
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kenyon ◽  
Emily Thomas ◽  
Karen Lingas ◽  
Stanton L. Gerson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Microsatellite Instability ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Mismatch Repair ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Age Related

Abstract The etiology of hematologic pathologies such as leukemia, myelodysplasia, anemia, bone marrow failure, altered immune function, and how they are associated with aging, remains unclear. Our hypothesis is that these diseases are caused or aggravated by a subset of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC) lacking effective mismatch repair (MMR) and therefore exhibiting a hypermutator phenotype. Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a marker of MMR deficiency. We used cord blood, bone marrow, and bone core samples to isolate and then clonally expand HSC for MSI analysis. Five microsatellite loci previously used in the diagnosis of the MMR defective disease HNPCC (BAT 25, BAT 26, D2S123, D5S346, and D17S250) were analyzed for insertions and deletions. We have analyzed 38 patient samples between the ages of 0 and 86 years, including 8 cancer patients. These data show an age-dependent increase in the frequency of high grade microsatellite instability (MSI-H), i.e. those CFU with microsatellite instability at >20% of loci tested. Additionally, samples obtained from individuals older than 50 years were 6 times more likely to have a > 10% frequency of MSI-H CFU than samples obtained from younger individuals, suggesting an inflection point for the onset of hematopoietic diseases. In all instances this instability is seen only within a subset of human HSC clones. To further characterize the origin of this deficiency, a method to select for MMR deficient hematopoietic cells was developed that first selected for survival of MMR deficient HSC, and then allowed for the examination of expression status of key MMR pathway genes hMLH1 and hMSH2 and their protein products. First, CD34+ HSC were isolated from various aged patient samples. To avoid possible effects of other repair pathways, the cells were treated with O6-Benzylguanine (BG) to remove O6-methylguanine DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) activity and prevent removal of O6-methylguanine lesions. Next, temozolomide (TMZ) at concentrations of 50–125 μM was used to induce O6-methylguanine (O6-mG) lesions that persist in the presence of BG. These O6-mG lesions mispair with cytosine and are recognized as DNA mismatches by the mismatch repair (MMR) pathway inducing apoptotic cell death. TMZ selected cells that fail to recognize the mispair due to a lack of MMR survive this selection. In these TMZ resistant clones, RT-PCR amplification of hMLH1 transcripts from total RNA isolated reveal a defect in hMLH1 but not hMSH2 expression. In the one AML sample obtained thus far HSC treated with 200 uM TMZ we have observed 0 to 30% of hMLH1 expression within TMZ resistant CFU was observed when compared to untreated controls. Together this data links MSI to MMR defects of a subpopulation of hematopoietic precursors in older individuals. This is the first examination of MMR gene expression in clones of HSC that has shown specific MMR functional deficiencies. Our study suggests that a MMR pathway deficiency in a subset of stem cells could contribute to age related hematopoietic disease processes including stem cell failure and malignant transformation.

scholarly journals NIPA As a Novel Regulator of Aging and Stress Response of the Primitive HSC Pool

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 1155-1155
Author(s):  
Stefanie Kreutmair ◽  
Rouzanna Istvanffy ◽  
Cathrin Klingeberg ◽  
Christine Dierks ◽  
Christian Peschel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Accumulation of DNA damage in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is associated with aging, bone marrow failure and development of hematological malignancies. Although HSCs numerically expand with age, their functional activity declines over time and the protection mechanism from DNA damage accumulation remains to be elucidated. NIPA (Nuclear Interaction Partner of ALK) is highly expressed in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, especially in the most primitive long-term repopulating HSCs (CD34-Flt3-Lin-Sca1+cKit+). Loss of NIPA leads to a significant exhaustion of primitive hematopoietic cells, where Lin-Sca1+cKit+ (LSK) cells were reduced to 40% of wildtype (wt) littermates (p<0.001). All LSK-subgroups, LT-HSCs (p<0.001), ST-HSCs (CD34+Flt3-LSK; p<0.01) and MPPs (CD34+Flt3+LSK; p<0.05) of NIPA deficient animals are affected and failed to age-related increase, whereas the lineage differentiation of Nipako/ko progenitor cells showed no gross differences. Myeloid depression by 5-FU treatment led to severely reduced HSC self renewal in Nipako/ko mice independent of age (p<0.001). Moreover, weekly 5-FU activation showed reduced survival of Nipako/ko vs. wt animals (11 vs. 14.5 days). To further examine the role of NIPA in HSC maintenance and exhaustion, we performed in vivo repopulationexperiments, where Nipa deletion causes bone marrow failure in case of competition, as Nipako/ko cells contributed to less than 10% of transplanted BM cells 6 month after transplantation (TX). According to this, colony formation assays and limiting dilution transplantation showed a dramatic reduction of competitive repopulation units (p<0.0001) in Nipako/ko animals. Serial LSK transplantation assays revealed loss of Nipa-deficient LSKs shortly after TX, whereas long-term repopulation capacity seemed to be maintained, suggesting a role of NIPA in critical stress response. To further investigate the stress response in Nipa-deficient HSCs, we irradiated LSKs with 3 Gy and stained for DNA-Damage foci by pH2ax. Remarkably, loss of NIPA led to significant higher numbers of pH2ax foci in irradiated HSCs (46% > 6 foci vs. 17% > 6 foci in wt cells) and highly increased the rates of apoptotic cells especially in the primitive CD34-LSK population. Taken together our results highlight the importance of the DNA damage response at HSC level for lifelong hematopoiesis and establish NIPA as a novel regulator of aging and stress response of the primitive HSC pool. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Phenotypic correction of Fanconi anemia group C knockout mice

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 700-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Gush ◽  
Kai-Ling Fu ◽  
Markus Grompe ◽  
Christopher E. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Mitomycin C ◽  
Fanconi Anemia ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Marrow Cells

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure, congenital anomalies, and a predisposition to malignancy. FA cells demonstrate hypersensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents, such as mitomycin C (MMC). Mice with a targeted disruption of the FANCC gene (fancc −/− nullizygous mice) exhibit many of the characteristic features of FA and provide a valuable tool for testing novel therapeutic strategies. We have exploited the inherent hypersensitivity offancc −/− hematopoietic cells to assay for phenotypic correction following transfer of the FANCC complementary DNA (cDNA) into bone marrow cells. Murine fancc −/− bone marrow cells were transduced with the use of retrovirus carrying the humanfancc cDNA and injected into lethally irradiated recipients. Mitomycin C (MMC) dosing, known to induce pancytopenia, was used to challenge the transplanted animals. Phenotypic correction was determined by assessment of peripheral blood counts. Mice that received cells transduced with virus carrying the wild-type gene maintained normal blood counts following MMC administration. All nullizygous control animals receiving MMC exhibited pancytopenia shortly before death. Clonogenic assay and polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed gene transfer of progenitor cells. These results indicate that selective pressure promotes in vivo enrichment offancc-transduced hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. In addition, MMC resistance coupled with detection of the transgene in secondary recipients suggests transduction and phenotypic correction of long-term repopulating stem cells.

Fanconi anemia type C–deficient hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells exhibit aberrant cell cycle control

Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 2081-2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaxin Li ◽  
P. Artur Plett ◽  
Yanzhu Yang ◽  
Ping Hong ◽  
Brian Freie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Fanconi Anemia ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Cytokine Signaling ◽  
Compensatory Mechanism ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Type C

Abstract The pathogenesis of bone marrow failure in Fanconi anemia is poorly understood. Suggested mechanisms include enhanced apoptosis secondary to DNA damage and altered inhibitory cytokine signaling. Recent data determined that disrupted cell cycle control of hematopoietic stem and/or progenitor cells disrupts normal hematopoiesis with increased hematopoietic stem cell cycling resulting in diminished function and increased sensitivity to cell cycle–specific apoptotic stimuli. Here, we used Fanconi anemia complementation type C–deficient (Fancc–/–) mice to demonstrate that Fancc–/– phenotypically defined cell populations enriched for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells exhibit increased cycling. In addition, we established that the defect in cell cycle regulation is not a compensatory mechanism from enhanced apoptosis occurring in vivo. Collectively, these data provide a previously unrecognized phenotype in Fancc–/– hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, which may contribute to the progressive bone marrow failure in Fanconi anemia.

The Potent Deacetylase Inhibitor Trichostatin a (TSA) Increases CXCR4 Expression in Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells by Chromatin Remodelling

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3487-3487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilal Gul ◽  
Leah A. Marquez-Curtis ◽  
Jennifer Lo ◽  
Nadia Jahroudi ◽  
A. Robert Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Trichostatin A ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Hdac Inhibitors ◽  
Cxcr4 Expression ◽  
Chromatin Remodelling ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Chip Analysis

Abstract Stromal-cell derived factor (SDF)-1α/CXCL12 and its cognate receptor, CXCR4, play a crucial role in the trafficking of normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) and their homing/retention in bone marrow. Consequently, modulation of CXCR4 expression in HSPC could be applied therapeutically to improve the efficiency of HSPC transplantation. It is known that gene expression can be regulated by chromatin remodelling. Two groups of histone modifying enzymes, histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) participate in the regulation of chromatin structure, and hence gene expression. Disruption of normal HAT or HDAC activities has been found in many human cancers. Recently, several structurally diverse and highly specific HDAC inhibitors (HDI) have been reported. They act as strong modulators of growth, differentiation and apoptosis in several types of cancer, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, very little is known regarding the effects of HDI on HSPC. We have previously shown that a specific short-chain fatty acid HDI, valproic acid (VPA), enhances CXCR4 expression and function in normal HSPC (Blood2007: 110; 425a). In order to determine whether other structurally diverse classes of HDI are able to influence CXCR4 expression in HSPC through chromatin remodelling, we investigated the effect of potent hydroxamic acid HDI Trichostatin A (TSA) on CXCR4 in normal HSPC. We examined the effect of TSA on CXCR4 expression (by FACS and real-time RT-PCR), modulation of CXCR4 transcription (chromatin immunoprecipitation (X-ChIP) analysis) and on functional response towards an SDF-1α gradient (by chemotaxis assay) of HSPC (CD34+ cells from cord blood (CB) and the models of immature hematopoietic cells expressing CD34 antigen, namely AML cell lines KG-1a and KG-1). Cells were incubated for 24 h in IMDM supplemented with 20% FCS in the presence of TSA (0.1 μM). We found that TSA increases the percentage of CXCR4-expressing CB CD34+, KG-1a, KG-1 cells (2.5-, 8- and 3-fold, respectively). This effect was also confirmed at the mRNA level in CB CD34+, KG-1a and KG-1 cells (by about 2.5-, 5- and 2.5-fold up-regulation, respectively). Moreover, X-ChIP analysis showed a significant increase in association of acetyl-histone H4 binding to the CXCR4 promoter in CB CD34+ and KG-1 cells (2- and 1.7-fold, respectively). TSA was also shown to significantly increase the chemotaxis of KG-1a cells towards SDF-1α (20 ng/mL), which was inhibited by AMD3100, a potent antagonist of CXCR4. We conclude that other HDI such as TSA regulate CXCR4 expression in HSPC by chromatin remodelling and we suggest that priming of HSPC with HDI may improve their homing and engraftment into bone marrow, especially in CB transplantation.

Gene Therapy Corrects the Lethal Bone Marrow Failure in a Mouse Model for RPS19-Deficient Diamond-Blackfan Anemia

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 513-513
Author(s):  
Pekka Jaako ◽  
Shubhranshu Debnath ◽  
Karin Olsson ◽  
Axel Schambach ◽  
Christopher Baum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Diamond Blackfan Anemia ◽  
Stem And Progenitor Cells

Abstract Abstract 513 Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a congenital erythroid hypoplasia associated with physical abnormalities and predisposition to cancer. Mutations in genes that encode ribosomal proteins have been identified in approximately 60–70 % of the patients. Among these genes, ribosomal protein S19 (RPS19) is the most common DBA gene (25 % of the cases). Current DBA therapies involve risks for serious side effects and a high proportion of deaths are treatment-related underscoring the need for novel therapies. We have previously demonstrated that enforced expression of RPS19 improves the proliferation, erythroid colony-forming potential and differentiation of patient derived RPS19-deficient hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro (Hamaguchi, Blood 2002; Hamaguchi, Mol Ther 2003). Furthermore, RPS19 overexpression enhances the engraftment and erythroid differentiation of patient-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells when transplanted into immunocompromised mice (Flygare, Exp Hematol 2008). Collectively these studies suggest the feasibility of gene therapy in the treatment of RPS19-deficient DBA. In the current project we have assessed the therapeutic efficacy of gene therapy using a mouse model for RPS19-deficient DBA (Jaako, Blood 2011; Jaako, Blood 2012). This model contains an Rps19-targeting shRNA (shRNA-D) that is expressed by a doxycycline-responsive promoter located downstream of Collagen A1 gene. Transgenic animals were bred either heterozygous or homozygous for the shRNA-D in order to generate two models with intermediate or severe Rps19 deficiency, respectively. Indeed, following transplantation, the administration of doxycycline to the recipients with homozygous shRNA-D bone marrow results in an acute and lethal bone marrow failure, while the heterozygous shRNA-D recipients develop a mild and chronic phenotype. We employed lentiviral vectors harboring a codon-optimized human RPS19 cDNA driven by the SFFV promoter, followed by IRES and GFP (SFFV-RPS19). A similar vector without the RPS19 cDNA was used as a control (SFFV-GFP). To assess the therapeutic potential of the SFFV-RPS19 vector in vivo, transduced c-Kit enriched bone marrow cells from control and homozygous shRNA-D mice were injected into lethally irradiated wild-type mice. Based on the percentage of GFP-positive cells, transduction efficiencies varied between 40 % and 60 %. Three months after transplantation, recipient mice were administered doxycycline in order to induce Rps19 deficiency. After two weeks of doxycycline administration, the recipients transplanted with SFFV-RPS19 or SFFV-GFP control cells showed no differences in blood cellularity. Remarkably, at the same time-point the recipients with SFFV-GFP homozygous shRNA-D bone marrow showed a dramatic decrease in blood cellularity that led to death, while the recipients with SFFV-RPS19 shRNA-D bone marrow showed nearly normal blood cellularity. These results demonstrate the potential of enforced expression of RPS19 to reverse the severe anemia and bone marrow failure in DBA. To assess the reconstitution advantage of transduced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with time, we performed similar experiments with heterozygous shRNA-D bone marrow cells. We monitored the percentage of GFP-positive myeloid cells in the peripheral blood, which provides a dynamic read-out for bone marrow activity. After four months of doxycycline administration, the mean percentage of GFP-positive cells in the recipients with SFFV-RPS19 heterozygous shRNA-D bone marrow increased to 97 %, while no similar advantage was observed in the recipients with SFFV-RPS19 or SFFV-GFP control bone marrow, or SFFV-GFP heterozygous shRNA-D bone marrow. Consistently, SFFV-RPS19 conferred a reconstitution advantage over the non-transduced cells in the bone marrow. Furthermore, SFFV-RPS19 reversed the hypocellular bone marrow observed in the SFFV-GFP heterozygous shRNA-D recipients. Taken together, using mouse models for RPS19-deficient DBA, we demonstrate that the enforced expression of RPS19 rescues the lethal bone marrow failure and confers a strong reconstitution advantage in vivo. These results provide a proof-of-principle for gene therapy in the treatment of RPS19-deficient DBA. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Modeling Bone Marrow Failure and MDS in Shwachman Diamond Syndrome Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 1496-1496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melisa Ruiz-Gutierrez ◽  
Ozge Vargel Bolukbasi ◽  
Linda Vo ◽  
Ryohichi Sugimura ◽  
Marilyn Sanchez Bonilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Clonal Evolution ◽  
Chromosome 7 ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Monosomy 7

Abstract Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) caused by monosomy 7 or del(7q) is a frequent clonal abnormality that arises in the context of inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, such as Shwachman Diamond Syndrome (SDS). Monosomy 7/del(7q) also develops in a subset of patients with acquired aplastic anemia or de novo MDS in the general population. Monosomy 7/del(7q) is associated with high grade MDS and a high risk of malignant transformation, most frequently to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Bone marrow failure and clonal evolution to MDS and AML remain major causes of morbidity and mortality for individuals with SDS. Currently, the only curative therapy for these hematological complications is a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Prognosis is extremely poor once SDS patients develop leukemia. The basis for this propensity to develop monosomy 7 clones remains unclear. The longterm aim of this study is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying leukemia predisposition and develop more effective treatments. Whether monosomy 7/del(7q) functions as a driver of MDS, or is merely an associated marker of clonal progression in bone marrow failure remains a critical question. The lack of synteny between murine versus human chromosome 7 has posed a major barrier to the development of mouse models of monosomy 7/del(7q). To study the biological and molecular consequences of monosomy 7/del(7q) in SDS, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated from bone marrow mononuclear cells of two patients with SDS. Each patient harbored homozygous c.258+2 T>C mutations in the canonical splice donor site of intron 2 in the SBDS gene. The SDS-iPSCs retained the pathogenic homozygous IVS2+2 T>C SBDS mutations, expressed stem cell markers, formed teratomas, and expressed reduced levels of SBDS protein similar to levels noted in the primary patient samples. Proliferation of 4 distinct SDS-iPSC clones derived from two different patients was reduced relative to wild type controls without an increase in cell death. SDS-iPSC formed smaller embryoid bodies with reduced production of CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Hematopoietic differentiation from CD34+ to CD45+ cells was also impaired. Preliminary data suggest that SDS-iPSCs retain the capacity to give rise to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and early myeloid progenitor cells in vitro. These populations were also observed in primary SDS patient-derived bone marrow samples. Because the number of CD34+ cells derived from SDS-iPSCs are limiting, a previously reported 5 transcrition factor re-specification system was used to expand multilineage hematopietic progenitors for further characterization. SDS iPSCs were able to differentiate into an expandable CD34+ population in vitro. Further studies to characterize the hematopoietic impairment in SDS iPSC and primary marrow samples are ongoing. To model del(7q) in SDS iPSCs, a deletion of the MDS-associated long arm of chromosome 7 was genomically engineered using a previously published modified Cre-Lox approach. The deletion of 7q at locus (11.2) was confirmed by karyotyping and by qPCR across chromosome 7. The SDS (del7q) iPSCs retained the SBDS pathogenic mutations, expressed stem cell markers, and formed teratomas. Proliferation of the SDS del(7q) iPSC was markedly impaired compared to isogenic SDS iPSCs. No increase in cell death was observed in the SDS del7q iPSCs. Studies are in progress to determine the effects of del7q on hematopoiesis. Investigation is ongoing to determine the molecular consequences of deleting 7q. These isogenic SDS+/- del(7q) iPS models provide a platform to study the role of 7q loss in clonal evolution from bone marrow failure and to screen for novel therapeutic compounds or pathways to treat bone marrow failure and MDS. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Ott1(Rbm15)-Deficient Hematopoietic Stem Cells Are Unable to Maintain Quiescence During Replicative Stress and Display Features of Premature Aging,

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3433-3433
Author(s):  
Nan Xiao ◽  
Kaushal Jani ◽  
Jonathan L Jesneck ◽  
Glen D Raffel
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Replicative Stress

Abstract Abstract 3433 With age, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have numerical expansion, skewing towards myeloid development, loss of lymphoid potential, an underlying pro-inflammatory state and loss of self-renewal potential thus severely limiting responses to hematopoietic stress, ultimately leading to bone marrow failure. The mechanisms and pathways responsible for these changes in aged HSCs are incompletely understood. Using a conditional allele of Ott1, a gene originally isolated as the 5' fusion partner in t(1;22) acute megakaryocytic leukemia, we previously found a global regulatory role for the gene in hematopoiesis. Deletion of Ott1 in adult mice utilizing Mx1-cre recapitulated certain aspects of aging hematopoiesis including increased Lin−Sca1+c-Kit+ (LSK) population, myeloid expansion and decreased lymphopoiesis. The LSK compartment was further characterized using SLAM and CD34/Flk2 markers and demonstrated normal levels of LT-HSCs and increased ST-HSCs. Despite sufficient LT-HSC numbers, Ott1-deleted bone marrow was unable to competitively or non-competitively repopulate irradiated recipients. To exclude a homing or engraftment effect, Ott1flox/null Mx1-cre bone marrow was transplanted with competitor then excised post-engraftment. The rapid loss of the Ott1-deficient graft demonstrated Ott1 is required for maintenance under competitive stress. In contrast, primary mice undergoing Ott1 excision lived a normal lifespan and were able to maintain sufficient hematopoiesis although with a partial reduction in bone marrow clonagenicity showing loss of Ott1 is not limiting under steady state conditions. To test the HSC requirement for Ott1 under replicative stress, Ott1 knockout mice were challenged with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Ott1-deleted mice treated with 5-FU displayed delayed peripheral blood neutrophil recovery and showed accelerated bone marrow failure. Cell cycle analysis of steady state Ott1 knockout HSCs showed a similar profile to wild type controls, however, after 5-FU treatment, the G0 fraction was dramatically reduced. The G0 fraction is associated with the quiescent, self-renewing HSC population, therefore, Ott1 is required for maintaining HSC quiescence during replicative stress but not steady state hematopoiesis. To more specifically assess whether the functional hematopoietic changes seen after loss of Ott1 were accompanied by alterations in known aging-associated pathways, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis comparing Ott1-deleted HSCs in steady state to aged HSCs was performed and showed a highly enriched gene expression signature (NES 2.02 p<0.0001). Physiologic sequelae of HSC aging were observed after Ott1 excision including activation of NFκβ, elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increase in DNA damage (γH2A.X levels) and activation of p38Mapk. Although ROS was elevated under steady state conditions, neither apoptosis, senescence or proliferation was significantly different from wild type control HSCs. Furthermore, anti-oxidant treatment with N-acetyl-cysteine was unable to rescue the HSC maintenance defect of the Ott1 knockout, signifying additional requirements in HSCs for Ott1 beyond regulation of ROS. An observed increase of mitochondrial mass in Ott1-deleted HSCs suggests an upstream function for Ott1 in metabolic control, potentially contributing to ROS generation or degradation. In summary, we have demonstrated an essential role for Ott1 in maintaining HSC quiescence during replicative stress and shown loss of Ott1 leads to the acquisition of key gene expression patterns and pathophysiologic changes associated with aging. These data suggest Ott1 functions in part to oppose specific consequences of aging in the hematopoietic compartment. Ott1 and Ott1-dependent pathways therefore represent a potential therapeutic target to prevent the morbidity and mortality arising from age-related defects in hematopoiesis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Dual Role Of MERIT40 In Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 797-797
Author(s):  
Krasimira Rozenova ◽  
Jing Jiang ◽  
Chao Wu ◽  
Junmin Wu ◽  
Bernadette Aressy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract The balance between self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is maintained by cell intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms, including tight regulation of signaling pathways such as Tpo-Mpl and SCF-ckit. Posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination, regulate these pathways. While the role of protein phosphorylation is well established, the importance of ubiquitination in HSC self-renewal has not been well addressed. It is known that of the seven different lysines on ubiquitin, Lys48 polyubiquitination is a marker for protein degradation, and Lys63 polyubiquitination is associated with regulation of kinase activity, protein trafficking, and localization. In this study, we provide evidence that the adaptor protein MERIT40 has multiple roles in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). MERIT40 is a scaffolding protein shared by two distinct complexes with Lys63 deubiquitinase (DUB) activities: the nuclear RAP80 complex with a known role in DNA damage repair in breast/ovarian cancer cells, whereas the functions of the cytoplasmic BRISC remains less characterized. MERIT40 is important for integrity of both complexes, and its deficiency leads to their destabilization and a >90% reduction in deubiquitinase activity. By using MERIT40 knockout (M40-/-) mice, we found that lack of MERIT40 leads to a two-fold increase in phenotypic and functional HSCs determined by FACS and limiting dilution bone marrow transplantation (BMT), respectively. More importantly, M40-/- HSCs have increased regenerative capability demonstrated by increased chimerism in the peripheral blood after BMT of purified HSCs. The higher self-renewal potential of these HSCs provides a survival advantage to M40-/- mice and HSCs after repetitive administration of the cytotoxic agent 5-flurouracil (5FU). MERIT40 deficiency also preserves HSC stemness in culture as judged by an increase in peripheral blood chimerism in recipient mice transplanted with M40-/- Lin-Sca1+Kit+ (LSK) cells cultured in cytokines for nine days compared to recipient mice receiving cultured wildtype (WT) LSK cells. In contrast to the increased HSC homeostasis and superior stem cell activity due to MERIT40 deficiency, M40-/- mice are hypersensitive to DNA damaging agents caused by inter-cross linking (ICL), such as Mitomycin C (MMC) and acetaldehydes that are generated as side products of intracellular metabolism. MMC injection caused increased mortality in M40-/- mice compared to WT controls attributable to DNA damage-induced bone marrow failure. MMC-treated M40-/- mice showed marked reduction in LSK progenitor numbers accompanied by increased DNA damage, in comparison to WT mice. Consistent with the in vivo studies, M40-/- progenitor cells are hypersensitive to MMC and acetaldehyde treatment in a cell-autonomous manner in colony forming assays. ICL repair is known to require Fanconi Anemia (FA) proteins, an ICL repair network of which mutations in at least 15 different genes in humans cause bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition. Thus, M40-/- mice represent a novel mouse model to study ICL repair in HSPCs with potential relevance to bone marrow failure syndromes. Taken together, our data establishes a complex role of MERIT40 in HSPCs, warranting future investigation to decipher functional events downstream of two distinct deubiquitinating complexes associated with MERIT40 that may regulate distinct aspects of HSPC function. Furthermore, our findings reveal novel regulatory pathways involving a previously unappreciated role of K63-DUB in stem cell biology, DNA repair regulation and possibly bone marrow failure. DUBs are specialized proteases and have emerged as potential “druggable” targets for a variety of diseases. Hence, our work may provide insights into novel therapies for the treatment of bone marrow failure and associated malignancies that occur in dysregulated HSCs. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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