Direct Sensing of Toll-Like Receptor Agonists by Dendritic Cell Progenitors Leads to Their Homing to Inflamed Lymph Nodes Via Regulation of CXCR4 and CCR7

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3895-3895
Author(s):  
Michael A Schmid ◽  
Dior Baumjohann ◽  
Markus G Manz

Abstract Abstract 3895 Dendritic cells (DCs), the key antigen-presenting cell population, continuously need to be regenerated from bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Common dendritic progenitors (CDP) were previously shown to efficiently generate DCs in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. How the dissemination of bone marrow (BM) DC-progenitors to peripheral tissues is regulated upon demand remains elusive to date. Acute microbial infections are sensed via Toll-like receptors (TLR). Recent studies showed that stem and progenitor cells express TLRs. We found that CDPs in the BM of mice express relative high levels of Tlr2, Tlr4 and Tlr9, and hypothesized that these might be involved in regulating CDP migration. CDPs in steady-state expressed high levels of Cxcr4, but no, or low Ccr7. Upon direct stimulation with the respective TLR-agonists in vitro, CDPs rapidly down-regulated Cxcr4 and up-regulated Ccr7 mRNA and protein. CDPs that were stimulated with TLR-agonists for only 2 h preferentially homed to the lymph nodes (LN) in expense of BM in steady-state recipients. When TLR-agonists were injected subcutaneously, CDPs gave rise to increased numbers of plasmacytoid DCs, classical DCs, and DCs with a skin-derived migratory phenotype in inflamed LNs on day 4. This was not due to increased proliferative activity. Injecting the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 demonstrated that the retention of CDPs in the BM depends on CXCR4. Furthermore, CCR7 was important for the engraftment of CDP-derived DCs into LNs in steady-state and during inflammation. In conclusion, DC progenitors in the bone marrow are capable to directly sense TLR-agonists via their cognate receptors in systemic infections. This results in differential expression of chemokine receptors and consecutive migration of DC-progenitors to inflamed LNs. This mechanism helps to restore DC subsets during ongoing immune responses and to return to DC homeostasis once the inflammation ceases. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1547-1547
Author(s):  
Chandra Sekhar Boddupalli ◽  
Dior Baumjohann ◽  
Tim Sparwasser ◽  
Markus G Manz

Abstract Abstract 1547 Lymphoid tissue dendritic cells (DCs) have a short life-span of a few days and need to be continuously replenished from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Flt3-Ligand (Flt3L) plays non-redundant role in development of DCs (McKenna. H.J. et al., Blood; 2000). Previously we found that Flk2 (fetal liver kinase-2), the cognate receptor for Flt3L is expressed on early dendritic cell progenitors and Flt3L-Flk2 signalling efficiently supports DC development from early progenitors to steady-state DCs in mice and men (Karsunky, H. et al., J Exp Med; 2003; Chicha L. et al. J Exp Med; 2004). Flk2 is also expressed on mature steady-state lymphoid organ DCs; however its function on mature cells remains to be determined. Flt3L is expressed in almost all the tissues in both mice and men (Hannum, C. et al., Nature; 1994) and this cytokine is critical in the maintenance of DC/T regulatory (Treg) cell homeostasis (Darrase-Jéze. G et al., J Exp Med; 2009; Swee LK et al., Blood; 2009; Manz MG, Blood 2009). However, the precise cellular source of Flt3L and the regulation of production in steady-state and immune responses in vivo is not well understood. Genetic ablation of the Flk2 receptor lead to 10-fold elevated Flt3L levels in the serum of mice. To evaluate if hematopoietic or non-hematopoietic cells are the main consumers of Flt3L in vivo, we generated bone marrow chimeras by transplanting wild type (WT) or Flt3L-/- c-Kit+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into lethally irradiated Flk2-/- mice. This demonstrated that hematopietic progenitors and DCs expressing Flk2 receptor are the main consumers of Flt3L in vivo. Previously we showed that in vivo Flk2 tyrosine kinase inhibition and consecutive DC reduction lead to 10fold elevated levels of serum Flt3L (Tussiwand. R. et al., J Immunol; 2005). By using CD11c DTR mice (Zaft, T. et al., J Immunol; 2005) in which diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor is cloned under the CD11c promoter and treatment of mice with DT lead to selective depletion of DCs we here show that ablation Flk2 expressing DCs lead to immediate, about 4-fold elevated serum Flt3L levels in mice. However, we observed no change in mRNA expression of Flt3L, which strongly indicates that Flk2 expressed on DCs is acting as “scavenger” for Flt3L. We then studied sources of Flt3L in vivo. To this end we generated bone marrow chimeras by transplanting WT c-Kit+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in to lethally irradiated Flt3L-/- hosts and vice versa (WT to Fllt3L-/-, Flt3L-/- to WT), and found that in vivo DC homeostasis can be achieved by non-hematopoietic and to lesser extend by hematopoietic cell produced Flt3L. Furhtermore, we found that compared to other hematopoietic cells Flt3L mRNA is highly expressed in lymphocytes (T and B cells) and in lymphoid tissues like thymus, spleen and lymph nodes. We thus used bone marrow c-Kit+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from mice that lack T and B cells (Rag1-/-) or that lack T cells (CD3ε-/-) as donors to transplant lethally conditioned Flt3L-/- mice, and found that Flt3L produced by T and B cells is necessary to support DC development in non hematopoietic Flt3L deficient mice. Using BrdU incorporation we evaluated the functional relevance of Flt3L produced by T cells in an ongoing immune response. Experiments revealed that in lymph nodes with proliferating T cells producing Flt3L a higher percent of BrdU+ DCs, i.e. DCs derived from proliferating progenitors were detected. This indicates that Flt3L produced by T cells in an ongoing immune response helps in faster regeneration of DCs from DC committed progenitors. Earlier it has been shown that Treg ablation in Foxp3-DTR mice lead to expansion of DCs in lymph nodes and spleen through Flk2 mediated pathway (Liu, K. et al., Science; 2009); however, the source of Flt3L remained unknown. Here we provide evidence that Treg ablation leads to activation and proliferation of CD4+ T cells that in turn release Flt3L to enhance DC development. These key observations provide insight into the regulation of DC homeostasis and function via tailored adaptation of the Flt3L cytokine milieu by non-hematopoietic and T cells during steady state and during adaptive immune responses. Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (310000-116637) and the European Commission FP6 Network of Excellence initiative (LSHB-CT-2004-512074 DC-THERA) Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 1234-1234
Author(s):  
Robert S Welner ◽  
Giovanni Amabile ◽  
Deepak Bararia ◽  
Philipp B. Staber ◽  
Akos G. Czibere ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1234 Specialized bone marrow (BM) microenvironment niches are essential for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell maintenance, and recent publications have focused on the leukemic stem cells interaction and placement within those sites. Surprisingly, little is known about how the integrity of this leukemic niche changes the normal stem and progenitor cells behavior and functionality. To address this issue, we started by studying the kinetics and differentiation of normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in mice with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). CML accounts for ∼15% of all adult leukemias and is characterized by the BCR-ABL t(9;22) translocation. Therefore, we used a novel SCL-tTA BCR/ABL inducible mouse model of CML-chronic phase to investigate these issues. To this end, BM from leukemic and normal mice were mixed and co-transplanted into hosts. Although normal hematopoiesis was increasingly suppressed during the disease progression, the leukemic microenvironment imposed distinct effects on hematopoietic progenitor cells predisposing them toward the myeloid lineage. Indeed, normal hematopoietic progenitor cells from this leukemic environment demonstrated accelerated proliferation with a lack of lymphoid potential, similar to that of the companion leukemic population. Meanwhile, the leukemic-exposed normal hematopoietic stem cells were kept in a more quiescent state, but remained functional on transplantation with only modest changes in both engraftment and homing. Further analysis of the microenvironment identified several cytokines that were found to be dysregulated in the leukemia and potentially responsible for these bystander responses. We investigated a few of these cytokines and found IL-6 to play a crucial role in the perturbation of normal stem and progenitor cells observed in the leukemic environment. Interestingly, mice treated with anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody reduced both the myeloid bias and proliferation defects of normal stem and progenitor cells. Results obtained with this mouse model were similarly validated using specimens obtained from CML patients. Co-culture of primary CML patient samples and GFP labeled human CD34+CD38- adult stem cells resulted in selective proliferation of the normal primitive progenitors compared to mixed cultures containing unlabeled normal bone marrow. Proliferation was blocked by adding anti-IL-6 neutralizing antibody to these co-cultures. Therefore, our current study provides definitive support and an underlying crucial mechanism for the hematopoietic perturbation of normal stem and progenitor cells during leukemogenesis. We believe our study to have important implications for cancer prevention and novel therapeutic approach for leukemia patients. We conclude that changes in cytokine levels and in particular those of IL-6 in the CML microenvironment are responsible for altered differentiation and functionality of normal stem cells. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 217-217
Author(s):  
Karin Golan ◽  
Aya Ludin ◽  
Tomer Itkin ◽  
Shiri Cohen-Gur ◽  
Orit Kollet ◽  
...  

Abstract Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) are mostly retained in a quiescent, non-motile mode in the bone marrow (BM), shifting to a cycling, differentiating and migratory state on demand. How HSC replenish the blood with new mature leukocytes on a daily basis while maintaining a constant pool of primitive cells in the BM throughout life is not clear. Recently, we reported that the bioactive lipid Sphingosine 1-Phosphate (S1P) regulates HSPC mobilization via ROS signaling and CXCL12 secretion (Golan et al, Blood 2012). We hypothesize that S1P influences the daily circadian egress of HSPC and their proliferation. We report that S1P levels in the blood are increased following initiation of light at the peak of HSPC egress and are reduced towards the termination of light when circulating HSPC reach a nadir. Interestingly, mice with constitutively low S1P plasma levels due to lack of one of the enzymes that generates S1P (Sphingosine kinase 1), do not exhibit fluctuations of HSPC levels in the blood between day and night. We report that HSPC numbers in the BM are also regulated in a circadian manner. Unexpectedly, we found two different daily peaks: one in the morning, following initiation of light, which is accompanied by increased HSPC egress and the other at night after darkness, which is associated with reduced HSPC egress. In both peaks HSPC begin to cycle and differentiate via up-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) however, the night peak had lower ROS levels. Concomitant with the peak of primitive stem and progenitor cells, we also observed (to a larger extent in the night peak), expansion of a rare activated macrophage/monocyte αSMA/Mac-1 population. This population maintains HSPC in a primitive state via COX2/PGE2 signaling that reduces ROS levels and increases BM stromal CXCL12 surface expression (Ludin et al, Nat. Imm. 2012). We identified two different BM peaks in HSPC levels that are regulated by the nervous system via circadian changes in ROS levels. Augmented ROS levels induce HSPC proliferation, differentiation and motility, which take place in the morning peak; however, they need to be restored to normal levels in order to prevent BM HSPC exhaustion. In the night peak, HSPC proliferate with less differentiation and egress, and activated macrophage/monocyte αSMA/Mac-1 cells are increased to restore ROS levels and activate CXCL12/CXCR4 interactions to maintain a HSPC primitive phenotype. Additionally, S1P also regulates HSPC proliferation, thus mice with low S1P levels share reduced hematopoietic progenitor cells in the BM. Interestingly S1P is required more for the HSPC night peak since in mice with low S1P levels, HSPC peak normally during day time but not at darkness. We suggest that the first peak is initiated via elevation of ROS by norepinephrine that is augmented in the BM following light-driven cues from the brain (Mendez-Ferrer at al, Nature 2008). The morning elevated ROS signal induces a decrease in BM CXCL12 levels and up-regulated MMP-9 activity, leading to HSC proliferation, as well as their detachment from their BM microenvironment, resulting in enhanced egress. Importantly, ROS inhibition by N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) reduced the morning HSPC peak. Since norepinephrine is an inhibitor of TNFα, upon light termination norepinephrine levels decrease and TNFα levels are up-regulated. TNFα induces activation of S1P in the BM, leading to the darkness peak in HSPC levels. S1P was previously shown also to induce PGE2 signaling, essential for HSPC maintenance by the rare activated αSMA/Mac-1 population. Indeed, in mice with low S1P levels, we could not detect a peak in COX2 levels in these BM cells during darkness. We conclude that S1P not only induces HSPC proliferation via augmentation of ROS levels, but also activates PGE2/COX2 signaling in αSMA/Mac-1 population to restore ROS levels and prevent HSPC differentiation and egress during the night peak. We hypothesize that the morning HSPC peak, involves proliferation, differentiation and egress, to allow HSPC to replenish the blood circulation with new cells. In contrast, the second HSPC night peak induces proliferation with reduced differentiation and egress, allowing the renewal of the BM HSPC pool. In summary, we identified two daily circadian peaks in HSPC BM levels that are regulated via light/dark cues and concomitantly allow HSPC replenishment of the blood and immune system, as well as maintenance of the HSPC constant pool in the BM. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 33-33
Author(s):  
Adedamola Elujoba-Bridenstine ◽  
Lijian Shao ◽  
Katherine Zink ◽  
Laura Sanchez ◽  
Kostandin V. Pajcini ◽  
...  

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are multipotent cells which differentiate to maintain and replenish blood lineages throughout life. Due to these characteristics, HSPC transplants represent a cure for patients with a variety of hematological disorders. HSPC function and behavior is tightly regulated by various cell types and factors in the bone marrow niche. The nervous system has been shown to indirectly influence hematopoiesis by innervating the niche; however, we present a direct route of HSPC regulation via expression of neurotransmitter receptors on HSPC surface. We have identified Gamma Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor B subunit 1 (Gabbr1), a hitherto unknown hematopoietic player, as a regulator of HSPC function. GABBR1 is known to be expressed on human HSPCs (Steidl et al., Blood 2004), however its function in their regulation remains unknown. Based on published RNA-seq data (Nestorowa et al., Blood 2016), we discovered that Gabbr1 is expressed on a subset of HSPCs. We confirmed this expression using RT-qPCR to assay hematopoietic populations in the bone marrow (BM). Surface receptor expression analysis showed that Gabbr1 protein is expressed on a subset of BM HSPCs. To detect GABA, the ligand for Gabbr1 in the BM microenvironment, we utilized imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). We detected regionally specific GABA signal in the endosteal region of the BM. We further identified B cells as a cellular source of GABA in the BM. To understand the role of Gabbr1 in hematopoiesis, we generated CRISPR-Cas9 Gabbr1 null mutants on a C57/BL6 background suitable for hematopoietic studies and studied their hematopoietic phenotype. We discovered a decrease in the absolute number of Lin-Sca1+cKit+ (LSK) HSPCs, but the long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) remain unaffected. Further analysis of peripheral blood of Gabbr1 null mutants showed decreased white blood cells due to reduced B220+ cells. This differentiation defect was confirmed in an in vitro differentiation assay where Gabbr1 null HSPCs displayed an impaired ability to produce B cells. We show that Gabbr1 null HSCs show diminished reconstitution ability when transplanted in a competitive setting. Reduced Gabbr1 null HSC reconstitution persisted in secondary transplant recipients indicating a cell autonomous role for Gabbr1 in regulating reconstitution of HSCs in transplant recipients. Our results show a crucial role for Gabbr1 in HSPC regulation and may translate to human health as a rare human SNP within the GABBR1 locus that correlates with altered leukocyte counts has been reported (Astle et al., Cell 2016). Our studies indicate an important role for Gabbr1 in HSPC reconstitution and differentiation into B cell lineages. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 4115-4115
Author(s):  
Stefan Wirths ◽  
Stefanie Bugl ◽  
Markus P. Radsak ◽  
Melanie Märklin ◽  
Martin R. Müller ◽  
...  

Abstract Granulopoietic homeostasis is regulated at steady-state to supply sufficient numbers of pooled and circulating neutrophils to maintain barrier function against commensal flora. In addition, upon pathogenic microbial challenge, an increased formation of neutrophils is induced, termed ‘emergency granulopoiesis’. Antibody-mediated reduction of neutrophil numbers in steady-state induces a feedback loop leading to an increase of bone marrow granulopoiesis with expansion of hematopoetic stem and progenitor cells. This feedback loop was demonstrated to depend on TLR4 and TRIF, but not MyD88 signaling (Bugl et al. Blood 2013). In contrast, emergency granulopoiesis was shown to be dependent on MyD88 signaling in endothelial cells (Boettcher et al. Blood 2014). Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are niche-forming cells, harboring and regulating hematopoiesis. Upon steady-state neutropenia an increase of niche size was observed. Here we investigated, whether niche-forming MSC act as sensors of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and induce granulopoietic cytokines to stimulate expansion of adjacent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. MSC of C57BL/6 and TLR4-KO mice were cultured in vitro and treated with LPS for 24 hours. Cells were harvested and qRT-PCR for G-CSF, TLR4, MyD88, TRIF, GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-18 and Casp-1 was performed After treatment with LPS, RNA of granulopoietic cytokines G-CSF and GM-CSF were massively up regulated in MSC of WT mice. Upstream regulating, inflammasome components IL-1ß and caspase-1 RNA levels increased as well, with little changes in IL-18, TLR4, MyD88 and TRIF. Unexpectedly, TLR4-KO MSC up regulated transcription of IL-1β and G-CSF upon LPS stimulation as well, and caspase-1 was found to be strongly up-regulated in unstimulated TLR4-KO compared to WT MSC. In summary, bone marrow stromal cells are found to be PAMP-sensing and secrete cytokines that regulate granulopoiesis. TLR4-independent sensing of LPS by MSC might correspond to the alternative noncanonical inflammasome pathway recently described (Kayagaki et al. Science 2013). Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1806-1806
Author(s):  
Darlene A. Monlish ◽  
Zev J. Greenberg ◽  
Sima T. Bhatt ◽  
Dagmar Ralphs ◽  
John L. Keller ◽  
...  

Abstract Prior studies from our lab and others have demonstrated a role for Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in regulating both normal and premalignant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), however the contributions of its binding partners, TLR1 and TLR6, remain unknown. In CD34+ bone marrow cells of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), increased TLR2 was associated with lower-risk disease, elevated rates of apoptosis associated with improved prognosis, and enhanced survival. Conversely, increased levels of TLR6, but not TLR1, was associated with higher-risk disease and an increased percentage of bone marrow blasts (Zeng et al., Exp Cell Res 2016 and Wei et al., Leukemia 2013). These data suggest that there may be heterodimer-specific effects of TLR2 signaling on HSPCs influencing disease progression. To elucidate the unique contributions of the heterodimer pairs in MDS pathogenesis and leukemogenesis, we utilized a well-established mouse model of MDS that expresses the NUP98-HOXD13 fusion from the hematopoietic Vav-1 promoter. The "NHD13" mice recapitulate many of the salient features of human MDS and succumb to cytopenias or leukemia by 14 months of age (Lin et al., Blood 2005). Importantly, we observed significantly increased expression of TLRs 1, 2, and 6 on the c-Kit+, Sca-1+, Lineage- ("KSL") HSPCs of the NHD13 mice, similar to the increased expression of these TLRs on CD34+ cells of MDS patients. To begin to delineate the heterodimeric differences, NHD13 mice were treated chronically with either PAM2CSK4 (PAM2), a TLR2/6-specific agonist, or PAM3CSK4 (PAM3), a TLR1/2-specific agonist, to assess the effects on cytopenias and survival. After five months of treatment, a significant increase was observed in the total number of white blood cells in NHD13 mice treated with PAM2 (p=0.007), but not PAM3 (vs. vehicle (water)-treated controls), a finding that was not recapitulated in wild-type (WT) controls. On the contrary, a significant decrease in the total number of platelets in both NHD13 and WT mice treated with PAM3 was observed as compared to vehicle-treated controls (p=0.024 and p=0.011, respectively). Further supporting the existence of heterodimer-specific differences, death was expedited in NHD13 mice treated with PAM2 as compared to those treated with PAM3 (p=0.019), with a median survival of 243 days vs. 338 for the PAM3-treated cohort. The cause of death, as determined by a hematopathologist based on cytology and blast percentage, was most often due to leukemia. To investigate the potential mechanism through which enhanced TLR2/6 signaling accelerates leukemogenesis and death in NHD13 mice, the HSPCs of premalignant NHD13 mice treated with PAM2 or PAM3 were characterized by flow cytometry and evaluated for cell cycling and cell death. Both the total number and frequency of KSL cells were significantly increased in NHD13 mice treated with PAM2 (p=0.007 and p<0.0001, respectively), but not PAM3, vs. water-treated controls. No significant changes were noted in either cell cycling or apoptosis following agonist treatment. A microarray of bone marrow KSL cells revealed that stimulation of the TLR2/6 pathway is associated with an activated c-Myc signature, suggesting that enhanced signaling through this pathway, but not TLR1/2, may enhance leukemogenesis via Myc activation. Further, the expression levels of six downstream targets of c-Myc, including BAX, APEX1, ODC1, FKBP4, NCL, and HSPD1, were significantly increased in both WT and NHD13 mice following PAM2 treatment. Evaluation of serum cytokines also revealed heterodimer-specific alterations, including increased IL-6 levels in NHD13 mice treated with PAM2, but not PAM3. These data corroborate numerous previous reports linking IL-6 to MDS pathogenesis and transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. Ongoing studies involving mass cytometry, IL-6knockout mice, and pharmacological inhibitors of both IL-6 and c-Myc aim to further elucidate the mechanism through which TLR2/6-specific activation accelerates leukemogenesis and death in the NHD13 mouse model of MDS. These studies hope to inform more targeted therapeutics that could potentially delay MDS progression and reduce off-target effects. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 5126-5126
Author(s):  
Atsushi Sato ◽  
Hideyo Hirai ◽  
Akihiro Tamura ◽  
Asumi Yokota ◽  
Yoshihiro Hayashi ◽  
...  

Abstract Our previous findings have revealed the requirement of CCAAT Enhancer Binding Protein (C/EBPb), a leucine zipper transcription factor, in granulopoiesis (Hirai et al. Nat Immunol, 2006). During emergency situations such as infection, C/EBPb is involved in the sufficient supply of granulocytes through amplification of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) (Satake et al. J Immunol, 2012). In addition, we have shown that C/EBPb is upregulated by downstream signaling of BCR-ABL and promotes myeloid expansion and exhaustion of leukemic stem cells in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (Hayashi et al. Leukemia, 2013). These observations suggested that C/EBPb plays important roles in regulation of normal and leukemic HSPCs. In this study, we focus on the functions of C/EBPb in normal HSPCs under stressed conditions. At steady state, the frequencies of HSPCs in the bone marrow (BM) of C/EBPb knockout (KO) mice were identical to those in the BM of wild type (WT) mice. It suggests that C/EBPb has little impact on the emergence or maintenance of HSPCs during steady state. To investigate function of C/EBPb in HSPCs, competitive repopulation assay was performed. Total BM cells from either WT or KO mice (CD45.2+) and the equal number of competitor cells from the BM of CD45.1+ WT mice were transplanted into lethally irradiated recipient WT mice (CD45.1+), and the chimerism of CD45.2+ cells in the peripheral blood (PB) of the recipient mice was monitored once a month. Chimerism of KO cells in the recipient mice was significantly lower than that of WT cells at 1 month after transplantation (52.2 ± 10.3% vs 37.8 ± 8.8%, p < 0.0000001, n = 37 vs 36) and the differences were maintained thereafter (Figure 1), suggesting that C/EBPb is required at early time points after transplantation. In order to elucidate the early events which make difference in the chimerism, homing ability was assessed first. Sixteen hours after transplantation of lineage depleted WT or KO BM cells (CD45.2+) together with lineage negative CD45.1+ WT BM cells, the frequencies of CD45.2+ WT and KO donor cells in the c-kit+ Sca1+ lineage- (KSL) fraction were identical. Then we compared the initial expansion of HSPCs. Purified 1000 KSL cells from either WT or KO mice (CD45.2+) were transplanted to lethally irradiated recipient WT mice (CD45.1+ / CD45.2+) together with the equal number of competitor KSL cells from WT mice (CD45.1+). The ratio of CD45.2+ KO cells to CD45.1+ competitors in the KSL fraction of the recipient mice was significantly lower than that of CD45.2+ WT cells at 4 weeks after transplantation (6.76 ± 2.35 vs 2.84 ± 1.16, p = 0.040, n = 4 vs 4). These results suggest that C/EBPb is required for initial expansion of HSPCs rather than for homing after transplantation. Next, we investigated the roles of C/EBPb in maintenance of HSPCs under stressed conditions. By staining of intracellular C/EBPb in combination with multi-color flow cytometric analysis, we found that C/EBPb is upregulated at protein level in KSL cells of WT mice 5 days after intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Then the recipient mice were repetitively administered with 5-FU (150mg/kg i.p.) after BM transplantation in a competitive way. As mentioned above, the chimerism of KO cells in PB of recipient mice was significantly lower than those of WT mice at 1 month after transplantation. Interestingly, the chimerism of KO cells gradually increased by repetitive administration of 5-FU and even overtook those of WT cells 5 months after transplantation (Figure 2). In accordance with the changes observed in the PB, the chimerism of KO cells in the KSL fraction in the BM of recipient mice was significantly higher than those of WT cells (70.7 ± 25.3% vs 12.1 ± 9.78%, p = 0.016, n = 5 vs 4) 5 months after transplantation, suggesting that WT HSPCs exhausted earlier than KO HSPCs in response to hematopoietic stress. From these findings, we conclude that C/EBPb is required for initial expansion and exhaustion of HSPCs after hematopoietic stresses. We are currently investigating the molecular targets of C/EBPb and its clinical significance in the pathogenesis of leukemia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 3234-3234
Author(s):  
Evangelia Yannaki ◽  
Nikoleta Psatha ◽  
Maria Demertzi ◽  
Evangelia Athanasiou ◽  
Eleni Sgouramali ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3234 Poster Board III-171 Gene therapy has been recently postulated as a realistic therapeutic potential for thalassemia and the mobilized autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) may represent the preferable source of stem cells for genetic modification due to the higher yield of HSCs compared to conventional bone marrow (bm) harvest. We have previously shown (manuscript under revision) that G-CSF mobilization in the HBBth-3 thalassemic mouse model is less efficient compared to normal C57Bl6 strain, mainly due to increased trapping of hematopoietic stem (Lin-sca-1+ckit+–LSK) and progenitor cells (CFU-GM) in the enlarged thalassemic spleen. The novel mobilizer, AMD3100 (plerixafor, mozobil), has been shown to reversibly bind to CXCR4 and inhibit the interaction between SDF-1 and CXCR4 within the bm microenvironment, resulting in the egress of CD34+ cells into the circulation of healthy donors and cancer patients. The addition of AMD to G-CSF results in even greater increases in circulating CD34+cells. We explored in the current study whether AMD alone or in combination with G-CSF improves the mobilization efficiency of thalassemic mice. C57 and HBBth-3 mice received G-CSF-alone at 250microgr/kgX7 days, AMD-alone at 5mg/kgX3 days or the combination of two with AMD administered in the evening of days 5-7 of G-CSF administration. Hematopoietic tissues (blood, bm, spleen) were collected and the absolute LSK and CFU-GM numbers were calculated based on their frequency within tissues (by FCM and clonogenic assays) in relation to the individual cell count per tissue. AMD-alone didn't significantly affect the HSC yield as compared to G-CSF mobilization in thal mice (LSK/μl blood: 103±85 vs 69±26 p=ns), although it significantly increased the circulating Colony Forming Cells (CFU-GM/ml blood: 1205±533 vs 330±87, p=0,05). In contrast, the AMD+G-CSF combination significantly improved the mobilization efficiency of HBBth-3 mice over the G-CSF-treated group (LSK cells/μl blood: 224±104 vs 69±26 p=0,04, CFU-GM/ml blood: 1671±984 vs 330±87 p=0,05, respectively) at levels comparable to normal mice treated with G-CSF (LSK cells/ μl blood: 241±167, CFU-GM/ml blood: 1235±1140, respectively). AMD induced a “detachment” of stem cells from the bm because reduced numbers of bm LSK cells were counted in the AMD-alone group as compared to the untreated group (LSK/2 femurs×103: 692±429 vs 1687±1016, respectively, p=0,05). This was in contrast to the marrow hyperplasia caused by G-CSF over the steady-state condition (LSK/2 femurs×103: 2684±1743 vs 1687±1016 p=0,02 / CFU-GM/2femurs:111.841±15.391 vs 76.774±31.728 p=0,01). Consequently, the combination of AMD+G-CSF resulted in increased numbers of circulating stem and progenitor cells without inducing marrow hyperplasia as compared to steady-state condition (LSK/2femurs×103: 1681±862 vs 1686±1017, p=ns / CFU-GM/2femurs: 76.774±31.728 vs 82.905±26.277, p=ns). AMD, also in contrast to G-CSF, did not cause increased trapping of stem and progenitor cells in the spleen compared to the untreated condition (LSK cells/spleen×103: 4738±2970 vs 8303±4166 p=ns / CFU-GM/spleen:146.269±93.174 vs 98.518±25.549, p=ns). However, the combination of AMD+G-CSF still resulted in splenic sequestration of progenitor cells (CFU-GM/spleen: 412.176±157.417 vs 98.518±25.549, p=0,0003) but not of LSK cells (LSK cells/spleen×103: 10.200±7.260 vs 8.300±4.166 p=ns). Overall, the combination of AMD3100+G-CSF seems to restore the less efficient mobilization in a thalassemic mouse model. This combination may prove beneficial in a GT setting for obtaining the high numbers of HSCs needed for genetic correction. In addition, the combination of AMD3100+G-CSF, by avoiding the marrow hyperplasia induced by G-CSF alone, indicates a better safety profile because it will not further burden the hyperplastic –due to the increased erythroid demand and the intramarrow destruction of erythroblasts-thalassemic bone marrow. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3417-3417
Author(s):  
Cesar Nombela-Arrieta ◽  
Gregory Pivarnik ◽  
Beatrice Winkel ◽  
Brendan Harley ◽  
John E Mahoney ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3417 The identification of specific microenvironments, in which Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells (HSPCs), reside within the BM is a major challenge in stem cell biology. Yet the extreme rarity of HSCs, their dynamic nature, and the lack of unique specific markers to identify them, have precluded an accurate definition of HSC niches to date. Using Laser Scanning Cytometry, a powerful emerging quantitative imaging technology that enables analysis of whole femoral sections at the single cell level, we have mapped the global distribution of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells within femoral bone marrow cavities, and analyzed their inmediate surrounding microenvironment. Systematic mapping of the global distribution of endogenous HSPC-enriched populations in the BM, revealed an accumulation of these cells inside endosteal regions (ER <100μm from inner bone surface), but not necessarily in contact with endosteal surfaces. Interestingly, the vast majority of HSPCs were found in direct association with BM micrrovessels, further supporting previous work, which suggested bone marrow endothelium as a major component of HSPC niches. By employing a novel imaging approach, we provide a three-dimensional (3D) microscopic overview of the unique BM vascular network found in endosteal zones, which contain the transition of bone-lining arterioles and capillaries to the sinusoidal network. Of note, HSPC association to vascular structures is not restricted to sinusoids. A significant fraction of HSPCs lied adjacent to non-sinusoidal endothelium. Using five-color imaging cytometry and pimonidazole incorporation, we have assessed the hypoxic state of HSPCs in different BM microenvironments. Our in situ analysis reveals that intracellular hypoxia is a hallmark of HSPCs, independent of their distance to bone surfaces, and more importantly, regardless of their perivascular localization. These studies provide unequivocal anatomical evidence for the intrinsic rather than environmental regulation of intracellular hypoxia in HSPCs and challenge the hypothesis of a “super hypoxic” HSPC niche. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5048-5048
Author(s):  
Kam Tong Leung ◽  
Yorky Tsin Sik Wong ◽  
Karen Li ◽  
Kathy Yuen Yee Chan ◽  
Xiao-Bing Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract RGS family proteins are known to negatively regulate G-protein-coupled receptor signaling through their GTPase-accelerating activity. In several types of hematopoietic cells (e.g., B lymphocytes and megakaryocytes), responses to stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) are subjected to regulation by R4 subfamily RGS proteins. However, their expression patterns and functional roles in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSC) are poorly characterized. Here, we showed that human CD34+ HSC derived from cord blood (CB, n = 10) expressed 7 out of 10 R4 RGS proteins at mRNA level (RGS1-3, 5, 13, 16 and 18), whereas expressions of RGS4, 8 and 21 were undetectable. Exposure of CB CD34+ cells to SDF-1 significantly increased RGS1, 2, 13 and 16 expressions and decreased RGS3 and 18 expressions (P ≤ 0.0402, n = 5). Expressions of RGS1, 13 and 16 were significantly higher in bone marrow (BM, n = 10) CD34+ cells when compared to mobilized peripheral blood (MPB, n = 5) CD34+ cells (P ≤ 0.0160), while RGS3 and 18 expressions were lower in BM CD34+ cells (P ≤ 0.0471), suggesting a SDF-1- and niche-dependent regulation of RGS expressions. To investigate the potential involvement of RGS proteins in SDF-1-mediated homing-related functions, we introduced RGS overexpression constructs into CB CD34+ cells by lentiviral transduction. With >80% transduction efficiency, we showed that overexpression of RGS1, 13 and 16 but not RGS2 significantly inhibited migration of CD34+ cells to a SDF-1 gradient (P ≤ 0.0391, n = 4-5). Similarly, RGS1, 13 and 16 overexpression suppressed SDF-1-induced Akt phosphorylation (n = 2), but none of them affected SDF-1-mediated actin polymerization (n = 3). In the NOD/SCID mouse xenotransplantation model, preliminary results showed that bone marrow homing was impaired in RGS1- (16.3% reduction), RGS13- (12.7% reduction) or RGS16-overexpressing CD34+ cells (33.7% reduction). Taken together, we provided the first evidence that expressions of R4 RGS proteins are regulated by the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in human CD34+ HSC. We also presented evidence that specific R4 RGS proteins (RGS1, 13 and 16) negatively regulate in vitro SDF-1-mediated responses and in vivo homing of CD34+ cells, suggesting that RGS proteins may serve as a feedback mechanism to regulate SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling. Strategies to inhibit RGS signaling could thus be a potential method for enhancing efficiency of HSC homing and long-term engraftment, which is particularly important in the setting of CB transplantation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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