Single-Cell STAT5 Signal Transduction Profiling in Normal and Leukemic Stem and Progenitor Cell Populations Reveals Highly Distinct Cytokine Responses.

Abstract Abstract 2510 Poster Board II-487 Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 (STAT5) plays critical roles in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis. We have observed that introduction of activated STAT5A in human stem/progenitor cells enhances long-term stem cell self-renewal, while lentiviral downmodulation of STAT5 expression in both normal as well as primary leukemic CD34+ cells impairs long-term growth and self-renewal. Many cytokines that act on the immature human stem cell compartment are known to be able to activate STAT5, such as TPO and SCF. Yet, little is known about the specificity and kinetics of STAT5 signaling in response to early-acting and lineage-restricted cytokines in specifically defined stem cell and progenitor compartments, particularly in the case of acute myeloid leukemia. We optimized a multiparametric flow cytometry protocol to analyze STAT5 phosphorylation upon cytokine stimulation in stem and progenitor cell compartments at the single-cell level. In normal cord blood (CB) cells, STAT5 phosphorylation was efficiently induced by TPO, IL-3 and GM-CSF within CD34+CD38− hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). EPO and SCF-induced STAT5 phosphorylation was largely restricted to the megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor (MEP) compartment, while G-CSF, as well IL-3 and GM-CSF were most efficient in inducing STAT5 phosphorylation in the myeloid progenitor compartments. Strikingly, mobilized adult peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells responded much less efficiently to cytokine-induced STAT5 activation, with the exception of TPO. In leukemic stem and progenitor cells, highly distinct cytokine responses were observed, differing significantly from their normal counterparts. A number of different types of responses were observed, being a) a strong STAT5 activation induced by TPO only; b) a strong STAT5 activation induced by IL3 and GM-CSF, but not TPO; c) STAT5 activation induced by various cytokines; and d) constitutive STAT5 phosphorylation that could not significantly be further induced by cytokines. These responses could not be predicted by the expression level of cytokine receptors. Also, heterogeneity existed in cytokine requirements for long-term expansion of AML CD34+ cells on stroma. In most examined cases multiple cytokines acted in an additive fashion in inducing long-term growth of primary AML CD34+ cells in bone marrow stromal cocultures, and in only 1 out of 10 cases cytokine-independent growth was observed. In none of the cases only IL3 or TPO were sufficient to induced long-term expansion of primary AML CD34+ cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrates variable cytokine responses in STAT5 phosphorylation in both normal and leukemic stem/progenitor cells. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Systemic Administration of Pleiotrophin Induces Hematopoietic Stem Cell Regeneration In Vivo.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.1498.1498 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 1498-1498

Author(s):

Heather A Himburg ◽

Pamela Daher ◽

Sarah Kristen Meadows ◽

J. Lauren Russell ◽

Phuong Doan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Progenitor Cell ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Cell Regeneration ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Hematopoietic Reconstitution

Abstract Abstract 1498 Poster Board I-521 Significant progress has been made toward delineating the intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways that regulate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal. However, much less is known regarding the process of HSC regeneration or the extrinsic signals that regulate hematopoietic reconstitution following stress or injury. Elucidation of the microenvironmental signals which promote HSC regeneration in vivo would have important implications for the treatment of patients undergoing radiation therapy, chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. We recently reported that pleiotrophin, a soluble heparin-binding growth factor, induced a 10-fold expansion of murine long-term repopulating HSCs in short term culture (Himburg et al. Blood (ASH Annual Meeting Abstracts), Nov 2008; 112: 78). Based on this observation, we hypothesized that PTN might also be a regenerative growth factor for HSCs. Here we tested the effect of systemic administration of PTN to non-irradiated and irradiated C57Bl6 mice to determine if PTN could promote HSC regeneration in vivo. C57Bl6 mice were irradiated with 700 cGy total body irradiation (TBI) followed by intraperitoneal administration of 2 μg PTN or saline x 7 days, followed by analysis of BM stem and progenitor cell content. Saline-treated mice demonstrated significant reductions in total BM cells, BM c-kit+sca-1+lin- (KSL) cells, colony forming cells (CFCs) and long term culture-initiating cells (LTC-ICs) compared to non-irradiated control mice. In contrast, PTN-treated mice demonstrated a 2.3-fold increase in total BM cells (p=0.03), a 5.6-fold increase in BM KSL stem/progenitor cells (p=0.04), a 2.9-fold increase in BM CFCs (p=0.004) and an 11-fold increase in LTC-ICs (p=0.03) compared to saline-treated mice. Moreover, competitive repopulating transplantation assays demonstrated that BM from PTN-treated, irradiated mice contained 5-fold increased competitive repopulating units (CRUs) compared to saline-treated, irradiated mice (p=0.04). Taken together, these data demonstrate that the administration of PTN induces BM HSC and progenitor cell regeneration in vivo following injury. Comparable increases in total BM cells, BM KSL cells and BM CFCs were also observed in PTN-treated mice compared to saline-treated controls following 300 cGy TBI, demonstrating that PTN is a potent growth factor for hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in vivo at less than ablative doses of TBI. In order to determine whether PTN acted directly on BM HSCs to induce their proliferation and expansion in vivo, we exposed mice to BrDU in their drinking water x 7 days and compared the response to saline treatment versus PTN treatment. PTN-treated mice demonstrated a significant increase in BrDU+ BM KSL cells compared to saline-treated controls (p=0.04) and cell cycle analysis confirmed a significant increase in BM KSL cells in S phase in the PTN-treatment group compared to saline-treated controls (p=0.04). These data indicate that PTN serves as a soluble growth factor for BM HSCs and induces their proliferation and expansion in vivo while preserving their repopulating capacity. These results suggest that PTN has therapeutic potential as a novel growth factor to accelerate hematopoietic reconstitution in patients undergoing myelosuppressive radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Disruption of the Normal Hematopoietic Hierarchy Leading to Stem Cell Exhaustion in an Animal Model of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-128707 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1698-1698

Author(s):

Yang Jo Chung ◽

Peter D. Aplan

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Myelodysplastic Syndrome ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Brdu Incorporation ◽

Compensatory Mechanism ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem

The ineffective hematopoiesis that is characteristic of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) suggests functional defects of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). NUP98-HOXD13 (NHD13) transgenic mice recapitulate many features of human MDS such as ineffective hematopoiesis, peripheral blood cytopenias, dysplasia, and transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and have been used as a pre-clinical model for human MDS. NHD13 mice universally develop signs of MDS (e.g., peripheral blood cytopenia, macrocytosis, dysplasia) at approximately 5 months of age, with median survival of 10 months. Two month old NHD13 mice do not show clear evidence of MDS such as peripheral blood cytopenia, dysplasia, or transformation to AML. Bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC) from two month old NHD13 mice have a modest 1.3-fold increase of lineage negative (LN) BMNCs compared to age matched WT mice. The increased number of LN BMNCs appeared to be primarily due to a 3.4-fold increase of the LN Sca-1+cKit-(LS+Kˉ) cells, an early lymphoid-committed precursor. Lineage negative Sca-1+ c-Kit+ (LSK) cells, which include the most immature, undifferentiated cells, can be divided into five sub populations, based on expression of Flk2, CD150, and CD48. These populations have been designated Long-Term Hematopoietic Stem Cell (LT-HSC), Short-Term HSC, (ST-HSC), and Multi-Potent Progenitor 2, 3, and 4 (MPP2, MPP3, and MPP4) based on functional assays. Two-month old NHD13 mice had decreased MPP4 (5-fold), decreased LT-HSC (3.6-fold) and increased ST-HSC (2.3-fold) compared with the age matched WT mice. The expansion of ST-HSC two-month old NHD13 mice was associated with increased cell proliferation of ST- HSC, as assessed by bromo-deoxy-uridine (BRDU) incorporation. We next studied LSK subsets from NHD13 mice aged seven months, which coincided with peripheral blood findings consistent with MDS (e.g. anemia, thrombocytopenia, macrocytosis), BM from seven month old NHD13 mice showed significant reductions of all LSK population subsets. LT-HSCs show differential expression of the CD41 antigen, and CD41ˉ LT-HSCs are more quiescent than CD41+ LT-HSCs and are thought to reside at the apex of the hematopoietic differentiation hierarchy. Although there was no difference in the absolute number of quiescent CD41ˉ LT-HSC between two and six month old WT mice, six month old NHD13 mice show a marked decrease (4.2 fold) in CD41ˉ LT-HSCs, suggesting exhaustion of LT-HSC in NHD13 mice. Colony forming assays were used to assess function of the five LSK sub-populations in vitro. LT-HSC and ST- HSC from NHD13 BMNC did not produce any colonies in two independent experiments, whereas MPP2 and MPP3 from NHD13 BMNC produced a similar number and lineage distribution of colonies compared to WT BMNC. This result suggested that HSCs from NHD13 BMNC may be functionally impaired, and that NHD13 hematopoietic progenitor cells may instead be derived primarily from MPP2 and MPP3. To evaluate HSC self-renewal activity, the five LSK subsets from NHD13 BMNC were transplanted to lethally irradiated mice together with 5 x 105 WT BMNC competitor cells. None of the NHD13 LSK sub-populations showed evidence of engraftment. Since NHD13 LN BMNC have previously been shown to be more prone to apoptosis than their WT counterpart, it is possible that lack of engraftment of NHD13 LSK subsets was due to the ex vivo sorting procedure. However, we also considered the possibility that NHD13 lineage positive (LP) BMNC had acquired self-renewal potential, and were contributing to long term hematopoiesis in the NHD13 BM. Therefore, we transplanted LP and LN BMNC from NHD13 or WT mice into WT recipients, again with WT competitor BMNC. Almost half of the NHD13 LP recipients showed long-term (>26 weeks) myeloid engraftment, whereas none of the WT LP recipients showed long term myeloid engraftment. Taken together, these findings suggest that the primitive LT-HSC (LSK Flk2ˉ CD150+CD48ˉ CD41ˉ) from NHD13 BM become exhausted with age, corresponding to the presentation of findings consistent with MDS (peripheral blood cytopenia, macrocytosis). Furthermore, self-renewal activity of NHD13 LP BMNCs suggest the existence of a compensatory mechanism for the homeostasis of hematopoiesis in MDS. Disclosures Aplan: NIH: Patents & Royalties: royalties for the invention of NUP98-HOXD13.

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STAT5-Induced Self-Renewal and Impaired Myelopoiesis of Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells Involves Downmodulation of C/EBPα.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v106.11.268.268 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 268-268

Author(s):

Jan Jacob Schuringa ◽

Bart-Jan Wierenga ◽

Hein Schepers ◽

Malcolm A.S. Moore ◽

Edo Vellenga

Keyword(s):

Progenitor Cells ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Human Cord Blood ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Affymetrix Microarray ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Cycle Arrest ◽

Cd34 Cells ◽

Proliferative Advantage

Abstract Previously, we demonstrated that enforced activation of STAT5 in human cord blood (CB)-derived stem/progenitor cells results in enhanced long-term stem cell self-renewal and impaired myelopoiesis (J.J.Schuringa et al, J.Exp.Med. 2004;200:623). Now, C/EBPα was identified as a critical transcription factor that is downregulated by STAT5. Affymetrix microarray analysis on STAT5A(1*6)-transduced CD34+ cells identified C/EBPα as the most prominently downregulated gene (−3.3 fold), and these data were confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. To determine the cell-biological relevance of these observations, a 4-OHT-inducible C/EBPα-ER protein was co-expressed with the STAT5A(1*6) mutant in CB CD34+ cells by using a retroviral approach. Re-expression of C/EBPα in STAT5A(1*6) cells resulted in a marked restoration of myelopoiesis as determined by morphological analyses, FACS analyses for myeloid markers such as CD11b, CD14 and CD15, and RT-PCR for myeloid-restricted genes such as g-csfr. While enforced activation of STAT5A resulted in accelerated erythropoiesis, this was blocked when C/EBPα was re-introduced into STAT5A(1*6) cells. Similarly, the proliferative advantage imposed on CD34+ cells by STAT5A(1*6) depended on the downmodulation of C/EBP as reintroduction of C/EBPα in these cells induced a quick cell cycle arrest and the onset of myeloid differentiation. At the stem/progenitor cell level, LTC-IC frequencies were elevated from 0.5% to 11% by STAT5A(1*6) as compared to controls, but these elevated LTC-IC frequencies were strongly reduced when C/EBPα was reintroduced in STAT5A(1*6) cells. Enumeration of progenitors in methylcellulose assays revealed similar results, the number of CFCs was reduced over 10-fold when C/EBPα was expressed in STAT5A(1*6) cells. Also, secondary CAFCs and long-term cultures could only be generated from STAT5A(1*6) expressing cells, but not from cells that co-expressed STAT5A(1*6) and C/EBPα. Taken together, these data indicate that STAT5-induced self-renewal and impaired myelopoiesis involves downmodulation of C/EBPα.

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Integrated Single Cell Transcriptomics Defines an Engineered Niche Supporting Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development Ex Vivo

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-126109 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 3699-3699

Author(s):

Brandon Hadland ◽

Barbara Varnum-Finney ◽

Stacey Dozono ◽

Tessa Dignum ◽

Cynthia Nourigat-Mckay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Single Cell ◽

Research Funding ◽

Signal Pathways ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Single Cell Rna Sequencing ◽

Equity Ownership

During embryonic development, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) arise from hemogenic endothelial cells (HEC) within arterial vessels such as the aorta of the AGM (aorta-gonad-mesonephros) region, in a process referred to as the endothelial to hematopoietic transition (EHT). Although numerous signal pathways have been implicated in EHT, the precise combination of niche-derived signals required to support the generation and self-renewal of functional, long-term engrafting HSC remains poorly defined. To elucidate the niche signals regulating HSC emergence, we used single cell RNA-sequencing to simultaneously analyze the global transcriptional profiles of HEC during their transition to HSC and the AGM-derived endothelial cell stroma (AGM-EC) that supports the generation and expansion of functional HSC. Trajectory analysis of single cell transcriptomes enabled reconstruction of EHT in pseudotime, revealing dynamics of gene expression, including genes encoding cell surface receptors and downstream pathways, during the process of HSC genesis and self-renewal in vivo and in vitro. Transcriptional profiles of niche AGM-EC enabled identification of corresponding ligands which serve to activate these receptors during HSC generation. We integrated this knowledge to engineer a stromal cell-free niche for generation of engrafting HSC from hemogenic precursors in vitro. Specifically, we defined serum-free conditions combining immobilized Notch1 and Notch2-specific antibodies to activate Notch receptors, recombinant VCAM1-Fc chimera or fibronectin fragment to bind VLA-4 integrin, recombinant interleukin-3, stem cell factor, thrombopoietin, and CXCL12 to activate their respective cytokine/chemokine receptors, and small molecule inhibition of TGF-β Receptor 1. We demonstrated that this engineered niche is sufficient to support the generation of functional HSC, as measured by long-term (24 week) multilineage engraftment after transplantation to immune-competent, lethally irradiated adult recipient mice, following culture of hemogenic precursors isolated from E9.5 to E10.5 murine embryos. The observed efficiency of generating long-term engrafting HSC, particularly from precursors derived from early embryonic stages before E10, was lower in engineered conditions compared with AGM-EC stroma, suggesting additional niche signal factors remain to be defined to optimally support HSC maturation and self-renewal in the engineered niche. Single cell RNA-sequencing of hematopoietic progeny generated following culture in the engineered niche demonstrated the formation of populations with transcriptional signatures of HSC, as well as multipotent and lineage-specific progenitors, comparable to those generated following co-culture with niche AGM-EC stroma. However, we observed relative overexpression of Notch target genes promoting early T-lymphoid fate in cells generated from the engineered niche compared to those from AGM-EC stroma. Incorporating stage-specific attenuation of Notch1 receptor activation with soluble Notch1 blocking antibody during culture was sufficient to limit markers of early T-cell precursors, suggesting that temporal titration of Notch signal activation could be used to further modulate HSC and T-lymphoid output in the engineered niche. Altogether, these studies enhance our understanding of the core signal pathways necessary for the embryonic development of functional HSC, with the potential to advance in vitro engineering of therapeutically relevant pluripotent stem cell-derived HSC in stromal cell-free culture. Disclosures Bernstein: Lyell Immunopharma: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Nohla Therapeutics: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding.

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Estrogens Enhance Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engraftment in a Xenogenic Transplantation Model

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-112104 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 2042-2042

Author(s):

Sara Fañanas-Baquero ◽

Israel Orman ◽

Federico Becerra Aparicio ◽

Silvia Bermudez de Miguel ◽

Jordi Garcia Merino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Research Funding ◽

Short Term ◽

Myeloablative Conditioning ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Hematopoietic Recovery ◽

Cd34 Cells ◽

Equity Ownership

Abstract Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) is a rare cell population that sits atop a hierarchy of progenitors that become progressively restricted to several or a single blood lineage. HSCs are capable of self-renewal and multipotent differentiation to all blood cell lineages. HSCs are crucial in the maintenance of lifelong production of all blood cells. HSCs are highly regulated to maintain homeostasis through a delicate balance between quiescence, self-renewal and differentiation. However, this balance is altered during the hematopoietic recovery after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). HSCT is routinely used to reconstitute hematopoiesis after myeloablation, being the most commonly-used cell therapy. HSCT efficacy and multilineage reconstitution can be limited by inadequate HSC number, poor homing, engraftment, or limited self-renewal. Recent evidence indicates that estrogens are involved in regulating the hematopoietic system homeostasis. Estrogens are the primary female sex hormones and are responsible for controlling many cellular processes including growth, differentiation and function of the reproductive system. However, estrogens have also been proposed to regulate HSCs. b-Estradiol (E2) was shown to promote the cell cycle of HSCs and multipotent progenitors (MPPs) and increase erythroid differentiation in females (1). On the other hand, tamoxifen reduces the number of MPPs and short-term HSCs but activates proliferation of long-term HSCs (2). The potential clinical application of estrogens in HSCT mainly derives from the possibility that these drugs may enhance the engraftment of transplanted HSCs, thus reducing side effects associated to myeloablative conditioning. Here, we show that a short-term treatment of immunodeficient mice transplanted with hCD34+ cells with estrogens such as E2 and estetrol (E4) improves human hematopoietic engraftment. Fifty-thousand cord blood CD34+ cells (CB-CD34+) were transplanted into sublethally irradiated immunodeficient NSG mice. Three days after transplantation, mice were treated for four days with daily subcutaneous doses of E2, E4 or vehicle. Human hematopoietic engraftment was evaluated in the BM of transplanted mice at four months later. E2 and E4 estrogens increased the proportion of hCD45+ cells 1.8-fold and 2.4-fold as compared to values determined in control mice, without modifying the proportion of myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Significantly, animals treated with either estrogen had significantly higher levels of human hematopoietic progenitors (hCD45+CD34+). To study the engraftment of long-term engraftment HSCs in transplanted mice, human CD45+ cells from primary recipients were sorted and transplanted in secondary NSG recipients. Three months after transplants, the proportion of human hematopoietic cells in secondary recipients was also higher when primary recipients were treated with E2 or E4 than in vehicle-treated animals. Improved engraftments associated to the administration of E2 or E4 estrogens were confirmed when very low doses of CB-CD34+ cells were transplanted (5x103 hCD34+/mouse) in recipients of either sex. Collectively, our data support a new application of estrogens to improve the hematopoietic recovery after HSCT. This application may have particular relevance to enhance the hematopoietic recovery after myeloablative conditioning and when limiting numbers of HSCs are available. Disclosures Bueren: Rocket Pharmaceuticals Inc: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Segovia:Rocket Pharmaceuticals Inc: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding.

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Foxo3 Modulation of ATM and Oxidative Stress Mediates Distinct Functions in the Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Fate.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v110.11.1272.1272 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 110 (11) ◽

pp. 1272-1272 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Safak Yalcin ◽

Julia P. Luciano ◽

Xin Zhang ◽

Cecile Vercherat ◽

Reshma Taneja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Cell Fate ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Progenitor Cell ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Atm Gene

Abstract FOXO transcription factors are required for hematopoietic stem cell self renewal. In this study, we demonstrate that Foxo3 plays a specific and essential function in the regulation of both hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell fate. Foxo3 null mice display a myeloproliferative syndrome characterized by splenomegaly, a major expansion of the myeloid compartment in the blood, bone marrow and spleen, cytokine hypersensitivity of progenitors in hematopoietic organs and associated with the repression of the B lymphoid compartment. In addition, loss of Foxo3 leads to significant defects in hematopoietic stem cell numbers and activity. In particular, the numbers of long-term culture initiating cells (LTC-IC) was significantly reduced and the ability to repopulate lethally irradiated mice was severely compromised in Foxo3-defcient mice. This effect was mediated at least partially by enhanced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Foxo3-deficient hematopoietic stem cells as demonstrated by reduced QRT-PCR expression of several anti-oxidant enzymes leading to accumulation of ROS, (as measured by chloromethyl,dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay) in Foxo3 null hematopoietic stem cells, and in vitro and in vivo rescue of the phenotype using ROS scavengers. Furthermore, we demonstrate that while ROS accumulation results in suppression of Foxo3 null hematopoietic stem cell compartment, it enhances the activity of multipotential cells. By measuring RNA versus DNA content, and BrdU uptake, we determined that Foxo3-deficient hematopoietic stem cells exit quiescence (G0) and are impaired in their cycling at the G2/M phase. In particular, we identified ROS activation of p19ARF/p53 pathway and ROS-independent modulation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene and p16INK4a, as major contributors to the interference with Foxo3-deficient hematopoietic stem cell self renewal and cycling. Loss of ATM has been shown to lead to hematopoietic stem cell deficiency. Importantly, we show that ATM gene expression is significantly suppressed in Foxo3-deficient hematopoietic stem cells suggesting that ATM lies downstream of Foxo3. Retroviral expression of a constitutively active form of Foxo3 in Foxo3-deficient bone marrow mononuclear cells enhances significantly the ATM expression suggesting that Foxo3 regulate expression of ATM gene. These combined findings suggest that Foxo3 functions in a tumor suppressor network to protect hematopoietic stem cells against deleterious effects of oxidative damage, to maintain hematopoietic lineage fate determination and to restrict the activity of long term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying hematopoietic stem cell fate.

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Ing4 Regulates Hematopoiesis through Suppression of NF-Kb

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-120033 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 642-642

Author(s):

Zanshe Thompson ◽

Vera Binder ◽

Michelle Ammerman ◽

Ellen Durand ◽

Leonard I. Zon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Progenitor Cell ◽

Target Gene ◽

Target Genes ◽

Zebrafish Embryos ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract Hematopoiesis is tightly regulated by a network of transcription factors and complexes that are required for the maintenance and development of HSCs. In a screen for epigenetic regulators of hematopoiesis in zebrafish, we identified a requirement of the tumor suppressor protein, Ing4, in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) specification. Though the Ing4 mechanism of action remains poorly characterized, it has been shown to promote stem-like cell characteristics in malignant cells. This activity is, in part, due to the inhibitory role of Ing4 in the NF-kB signaling pathway. In the absence of Ing4, there is a significant increase in NF-kB target gene expression. As in the zebrafish, we have identified a requirement for Ing4 in murine hematopoiesis, where Ing4 deficiency impairs hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function, but enhances multipotent progenitor cell (MPP) regenerative capacity. Given the role of Ing4 in both normal hematopoiesis and cancer, this gene likely has a critical role in regulation of stem cell self-renewal and maintenance. To define the role of Ing4 in zebrafish HSPCs, we designed an anti-sense morpholino oligo against Ing4 and injected into zebrafish embryos at the single cell stage. Embryos were screened using in situ hybridizations for c-myb and runx1 expression, which are highly expressed in the aorta, gonad, mesonephros (AGM) region in the developing zebrafish embryo. We found that Ing4-deficient zebrafish embryos lose >90% of runx1+/c-myb+ cells in the AGM, demonstrating a lack of HSPC specification. Analysis of ephrinB2 expression showed normal specification of the aorta in Ing4 morphant embryos, signifying that the step of HSPC specification is affected in the absence of Ing4. Overexpression of human Ing4 in zebrafish embryos resulted in increased HSPC marker staining suggesting that normal expression levels of Ing4 are required for HSC specification. As Ing4 is an epigenetic regulator that binds specific gene loci, we examined the chromatin occupancy of Ing4 in human peripheral blood CD34+ progenitor cells. Using ChIP-seq for Ing4 in CD34+ cells, we show that Ing4 binds to many regulators of blood development including MYB, LMO2, RUNX1, and IKAROS, and several NF-kB target genes. In other tissues, Ing4 negatively regulates NF-kB, so accordingly, loss of Ing4 results in an overabundance of NF-kB signaling. To address NF-kB target gene expression in Ing4-deficient zebrafish embryos, we performed qPCR analysis at 36hpf. These assays showed an increase in the expression of a subset of NF-kB target genes (IKBKE, IL-19, IL-1b, IL-20R). Simultaneous knockdown of both Ing4 and RelA, through combined morpholino injections against both factors, resulted in the rescue of HSC marker expression in the aorta. These results suggest that NF-kB inhibition could remediate the loss of Ing4. A mouse model for Ing4 deficiency was generated to further evaluate the role of Ing4 in differentiated immune cells. These mice are developmentally normal but are hypersensitive to stimulation with LPS. Interestingly, we found that Ing4-/- mice showed skewed hematopoiesis resulting in an increase in the number of short term-HSCs (ST-HSCs) (11.4% vs 31.7%) and a dramatic decrease in multipotent progenitor cells (MPPs) (47.9% vs 19.3%) along with concurrent modest increase in the population of long-term HSCs (LT-HSCs) (2.4% vs 5.5%). Additionally, there were alterations in stress hematopoiesis following hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Sorted LT-HSCs fail to engraft, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved requirement for Ing4 in HSCs. Surprisingly, competitive transplantation assay with Ing4-defecient MPPs versus wild-type showed dramatic increase in peripheral blood multilineage chimerism up to 9 months post-transplantation (19% vs. 59%). This lends to the hypothesis that Ing4 deficient MPPs gain self-renewal capabilities. Based on these exciting findings, we hypothesize that Ing4 normally functions as a critical suppressor for genes required for self-renewal and developmental potency in MPPs. Overall, our findings suggest that Ing4 plays a crucial role in the regulation of hematopoiesis and provides key tools for further identification and characterization of Ing4 pathways and functions. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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STAT5-induced self-renewal and impaired myelopoiesis of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells involves down-modulation of C/EBPα

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2005-11-4608 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 107 (11) ◽

pp. 4326-4333 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Albertus T. J. Wierenga ◽

Hein Schepers ◽

Malcolm A. S. Moore ◽

Edo Vellenga ◽

Jan Jacob Schuringa

Keyword(s):

Progenitor Cells ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Human Cord Blood ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Cycle Arrest ◽

Cd34 Cells ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Proliferative Advantage

AbstractPreviously, we demonstrated that enforced activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5A) in human cord blood (CB)–derived stem/progenitor cells results in enhanced self-renewal and impaired myelopoiesis. The present study identifies C/EBPα as a critical component that is down-regulated by STAT5. Microarray and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis on STAT5A1*6-transduced CD34+ cells identified C/EBPα as the most prominently down-regulated gene. To determine the cell-biological relevance of these observations, a 4-OHT-inducible C/EBPα-ER protein was co-expressed with the STAT5A1*6 mutant in CB CD34+ cells using a retroviral approach. Re-expression of C/EBPα in STAT5A1*6 cells resulted in a marked restoration of myelopoiesis. The proliferative advantage imposed on CD34+ cells by STAT5A1*6 depended on the down-modulation of C/EBPα, as reintroduction of C/EBPα induced a quick cell-cycle arrest and the onset of myeloid differentiation. Long-term culture–initiating cell (LTC-IC) frequencies were elevated from 0.8% ± 0.6% to 7.8% ± 1.9% by STAT5A1*6 as compared with controls, but these elevated LTC-IC frequencies were strongly reduced upon re-introduction of C/EBPα in STAT5A1*6 cells, and no second cobble-stone area–forming cells (CAFCs) could be generated from double-transduced cells. Enumeration of progenitors revealed that the number of colony-forming cells (CFCs) was reduced more than 20-fold when C/EBPα was co-expressed in STAT5A1*6 cells. Our data indicate that down-modulation of C/EBPα is a prerequisite for STAT5-induced effects on self-renewal and myelopoiesis.

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Intravital Imaging of Young and Aged Stem Cells in the Marrow of Long Bones: Visualizing Mammalian Stem Cell Behavior in Real-Time in Vivo

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.2418.2418 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 2418-2418

Author(s):

Anja Köhler ◽

Vince Schmithorst ◽

Marie-Dominique Filippi ◽

Marnie A. Ryan ◽

Deidre Daria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Progenitor Cell ◽

Intravital Imaging ◽

Long Bones ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Close Vicinity ◽

Stem And Progenitor Cells

Abstract Hematopoiesis, the process in which blood cells are generated from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) is primarily confined to the bone cavities. The interactions of hematopoietic cells with stroma cells forming niches inside the bone cavities are central to hematopoiesis, as these regulate cell proliferation, self-renewal and differentiation. Hematopoietic cell/stroma interactions have thus been, in analogy to the immunological synapse, named stem/progenitor cell synapses. So far, visualization of the behavior of somatic stem and progenitor cells in an undisturbed in vivo environment has not been reported for the mammalian system and consequently, the cellular dynamics of stem, progenitor and differentiated cells in vivo are only poorly defined. We developed and performed intravital time-lapse 2-photon microscopy in the marrow of the long bones (tibia) of mice to study the behavior and dynamics of differentiated hematopoietic cells as well as HPCs and HSCs in close vicinity to the endosteum in vivo over time. We demonstrate that HPCs as well as HSCs reside in close vicinity to the endosteum, further supporting the notion of an endosteal stem cell niche, and that they are, in contrast to differentiated macrophages and dendritic cells, solitary and immobile. Both HPCs and HSCs occupy distinct positions relative to the endosteum and show cell protrusion movement consistent with an active stem/progenitor cell synapse. Lastly, we report that aged HSCs show increased protrusion movement and localize more distantly to the endosteum compared to young HSCs. In addition, aged HSCs present with reduced adhesion to stroma as well as reduced polarity upon adhesion in vitro, implying a connection between altered stem cell dynamics in vivo and stem cell aging. The intravital imaging technology developed might establish a basis for further delineating additional important questions in stem cell biology like cellular mechanisms of hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in the context of the stroma/niche in vivo.

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Long-term maintenance of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells by expression of BMI1

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2007-08-106666 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 111 (5) ◽

pp. 2621-2630 ◽

Cited By ~ 76

Author(s):

Aleksandra Rizo ◽

Bert Dontje ◽

Edo Vellenga ◽

Gerald de Haan ◽

Jan Jacob Schuringa

Keyword(s):

Progenitor Cells ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Scid Mice ◽

Polycomb Group ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Cd34 Cells ◽

Colony Forming Capacity ◽

Term Maintenance

The polycomb group (PcG) gene BMI1 has been identified as one of the key epigenetic regulators of cell fates during different stages of development in multiple murine tissues. In a clinically relevant model, we demonstrate that enforced expression of BMI1 in cord blood CD34+ cells results in long-term maintenance and self-renewal of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Long-term culture-initiating cell frequencies were increased upon stable expression of BMI1 and these cells engrafted more efficiently in NOD-SCID mice. Week 5 cobblestone area-forming cells (CAFCs) were replated to give rise to secondary CAFCs. Serial transplantation studies in NOD-SCID mice revealed that secondary engraftment was only achieved with cells overexpressing BMI1. Importantly, BMI1-transduced cells proliferated in stroma-free cytokine-dependent cultures for more than 20 weeks, while a stable population of approximately 1% to 5% of CD34+ cells was preserved that retained colony-forming capacity. Whereas control cells lost most of their NOD-SCID engraftment potential after 10 days of ex vivo culturing in absence of stroma, NOD-SCID multilineage engraftment was retained by overexpression of BMI1. Thus, our data indicate that self-renewal of human hematopoietic stem cells is enhanced by BMI1, and we classify BMI1 as an intrinsic regulator of human stem/progenitor cell self-renewal.

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