Comparison Of Autologous Microparticles and Fucosyltransferase-7 For Adhesion Improvement Of Hematopoietic Stem Cells To Bone Marrow Endothelial Cells In a Microfluidic Flow Chamber

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 2000-2000
Author(s):  
Arne Trummer ◽  
Dennis Rataj ◽  
Sonja Werwitzke ◽  
Andreas Tiede
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Flow Chamber ◽  
Sialyl Lewis X ◽  
Study Phase ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Microfluidic Flow

Abstract The improvement of graft function and time to engraftment might help to reduce infection-related mortality in stem cell transplantation (SCT). While the concept of stem cells fucosylation for accelerated engraftment has already reached clinical study phase (for cord blood transplantation; NCT01471067), own previous work has shown an association between engraftment time and circulating microparticles bearing P-Selectin and P-Selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1). PSGL-1 contains the sialyl Lewis x (CD15s) antigen that requires fucosylation for optimal binding of P- and E-Selectin on endothelial cells. We therefore hypothesized that addition of microparticles (MP) might enhance adhesion of human stem cells (HSC) to bone marrow endothelial cells and that MP might have synergistic effects in combination with stem cell fucosylation. HSC were obtained from apheresis products of allogeneic donors, purified by Ficoll and magnetic bead separation for CD34, stained with calcein AM and perfused through an automated microfluidic flow chamber (Bioflux 200, Fluxionbio, USA) covered with a confluent layer of an immortalized human bone marrow endothelial cell line (HBMEC). Photos (and videos) were taken using a fluorescence microscope at start, 5 min and 10 min and analyzed for adherent HSC across the whole chamber (about 1.5 sqmm) using ImageJ software. Autologous MP were generated by addition of calcimycin to apheresis and isolation of MP by centrifugation. For control experiments, one part of the MP solution was passed through a 0,2µm-filter to remove MP. MP concentration (mean: 1362/µl) was assessed by detection of Annexin V binding in flow cytometry, using TrucountBeads® for quantification. Fucosylation was performed by 1h incubation of isolated CD34+ stem cells with GDP-fucose and fucosyltransferase 7 (FUT7). Successful fucosylation was controlled by CD15s staining of HSC in flow cytometry. Results of seven experiments (in duplicate) demonstrated the highest number of adherent HSC in the MPpositiv/FUT7negativ preparation (median: 32 HSC/sqmm; range: 15-78), followed by MPpositiv/FUT7positiv (30 HSC/sqmm; range: 16-38), MPnegativ/FUT7positiv (median: 25/sqmm; range: 11-27) and MPnegativ/FUT7negativ (20 HSC/sqmm; range: 0-22). Comparison of the MPpositiv/FUT7negativ and MPnegativ/FUT7negativ as well as the MPpositiv/FUT7positiv and MPpositiv/FUT7negativ preparations showed statistically significant differences in Wilcoxon rank test (p<.05) while comparison of MPpositiv/FUT7positiv vs. MPnegativ/FUT7positiv and MPnegativ/FUT7positiv vs. MPnegativ/FUT7negativ preparations did not. In summary, these results demonstrate that MP can improve HSC adhesion to bone marrow endothelial cells similar to fucosylation. The effect of fucosylation on HSC adhesion appears to be mediated by MP. However, there is not a synergistic effect between MP and fucosylation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Defining the Development of Receptive Niches for in Utero Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 3527-3527
Author(s):  
Christine Michelle Jeanblanc ◽  
Evan Colletti ◽  
Christopher D Porada ◽  
Graca Almeida-Porada ◽  
Esmail D. Zanjani
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Immune Competence ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Sheep Fetus

Abstract Abstract 3527 Poster Board III-464 In utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (IUSCT) is a promising therapeutic alternative to postnatal stem cell transplantation which could potentially provide successful treatment for many genetic and developmental diseases affecting the immune and hematopoietic systems. Advances in molecular biological techniques and improvements in obstetrical procedures such as chorionic villous sampling now permit the collection of fetal material and the diagnosis of genetic disorders early enough in gestation to allow the use of IUSCT to treat these diseases prior to the onset of irreversible organ damage. However, after almost 20 years of experimental work, the only clinical applications for which IUSCT has proven successful are diseases such as SCID in which there is a selective advantage of donor cell development over host cells. Thus, the future success of this promising approach depends upon a full understanding of the mechanisms of engraftment and differentiation of stem cells during the fetal period. The sheep fetus shares many important immuno-physiological and developmental characteristics with the human fetus and has served as an accurate model in which to study IUSCT. Therefore, in the present studies we used the sheep model to evaluate the evolution and maturation of the microenvironmental niches during fetal development with the goal of delineating the period of gestation during which a multilineage-supporting bone marrow environment is present. To achieve this objective, we performed histologic and immunofluorescence analyses on bone from fetal sheep at 5.7, 6.5, 7.2, and 9.2 gestational weeks (gw; term: 21 gw), using antibodies to markers expressed on various niche cells. At the earliest time point of 5.7gw, the bone rudiment consisted mainly of mesenchymal structures, and no cells expressing markers of endothelium (CD34, CD31) or osteoblasts (osteopontin, N-cadherin) were observed. Beginning at 6.5gw, an extremely limited number of osteoblasts were present, possibly indicating the onset of development of the osteoblastic niche at that point. Cells exhibiting a CD34+ALDH+ phenotype were also observed in specific areas lining the perichondrium and within some endochondral compartments. Larger numbers of osteoblasts were seen at 7.2gw, and this was the first point at which we began to observe the association of CD34+ALDH+ cells with these bone niches. By 9.2gw, the population of osteoblasts was well established and the population of CD34+ALDH+ cells closely interacted with the osteoblasts, suggesting that the osteoblastic niche began forming at 6.5gw, but only became fully established by 9.2gw. When similar analyses were performed with antibodies to CD34 and CD31 to detect endothelial cells, we found that CD34+CD31+ endothelial cells were not present in detectable numbers at 5.7, 6.5, or 7.2gw, but by 9.2gw, the CD34+CD31+ population had increased dramatically, indicating that the vascular niche develops fairly rapidly during between 7.2 and 9.2gw in the sheep. These data collectively indicate that the bone marrow osteoblastic niche commences development at 7.2gw and reaches relative maturity by 9.2gw, while the vascular niche develops relatively rapidly between 7.2 and 9.2gw. These findings have important implications for optimizing engraftment of HSC following transplantation in utero and may help to explain the limited clinical success that has thus far been achieved with this approach. Given that the sheep fetus begins to attain immune competence at around 9.2gw, we routinely perform IUSCT between 7.8-8.6gw to avoid potential complications associated with immune rejection of the transplanted HSC. Based on our present results, it appears that in so doing, we are actually transplanting the HSC at a time when neither the osteoblastic or vascular niches have fully developed, making it unlikely they can serve as receptive sites for engraftment of the transplanted HSC. In the light of these findings, it is thus crucial to further narrow down the window of development of both the vascular and osteoblastic niches to determine the precise developmental time for optimal HSC engraftment. Given that our present results suggest this may be near the time the fetus achieves immune-competence, future strategies for improving the success of IUSCT may need to incorporate immuno-modulation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

CXCR4-SDF-1 Signaling Mediated up-Regulation of Survivin Expression In Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Is Critical for Their Proliferation and Maintenance of Osteoblastic Niche

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 941-941
Author(s):  
Pratibha Singh ◽  
Jennifer Speth ◽  
Peirong Hu ◽  
Louis M. Pelus
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Survivin Expression ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cxcr4 Signaling

Abstract Abstract 941 Hematopoietic stem cells reside in osteoblastic and vascular niches within the bone marrow. The osteoblastic niche is composed of mesenchymal stem cell derived progenitor cells (MPC) and osteoblasts and are the main sources of the CXC chemokine CXCL12/SDF-1 in the bone marrow microenvironment. Several published studies suggest that the interaction between CXCR4 expressed on hematopoietic stem cells with SDF-1 produced in the bone marrow microenvironment is important for their retention in the bone-marrow. However, the role of SDF-CXCR4 signaling in formation and maintenance of osteoblastic niches in the bone marrow is not known. In this study, we examined the role of CXCR4 signaling in MPC proliferation and differentiation and its effects on hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that CXCR4 is expressed on the phenotypically defined MPC. Deletion of CXCR4 in tamoxifen cre inducible CXCR4flox-flox mice (verified by PCR and flow cytometry; 90% gene deletion and surface CXCR4 expression) results in significantly decreased numbers of Lin- CD45- CD31- Sca-1+ ALCAM- MPC (39±4.2%) and Lin- CD45- CD31- Sca-1-CD51+ osteoblasts (25±2.6%) in bone marrow 15 days after tamoxifen treatment. SDF-1 induced proliferation of CXCR4 deficient MPC was decreased by 4-fold compared to control, measured by the colony forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assay. To determine, whether CXCR4 deficiency in bone marrow stromal cells affects SDF-1 induced HSC proliferation, we cultured FACS sorted wild-type SLAM SKL (103 cells) on CXCR4 deficient stroma for 5 days and total SLAM SKL cell numbers were counted by flow-cytometey analysis. CXCR4 deficient stroma failed to support optimal HSC proliferation and 48±5.2% less SLAM KSL cells was observed on CXCR4 deficient stroma compared to wild-type stroma. To investigate the mechanisms through which CXCR4-SDF-1 signaling regulates MPC proliferation, we evaluated the effect of SDF-1 treatment on expression of the anti-apoptotic and cell-cycle regulator protein, Survivin, in MPC. Multivariate intracellular flow cytometry demonstrated that Survivin expression increased by 23±4.2% in wild-type MPC after SDF-1 treatment (50ng/ml), however no significant increased was demonstrated in CXCR4 deficient MPC cells. CFU-F formation was reduced by 2.5 fold when the Survivin gene was conditionally deleted in MPC. Moreover, fewer SLAM SKL cells were detected on Survivin deficient stroma compared to wild-type stroma after SDF-1 treatment for 5 days. In conclusion, our data suggest that CXCR4-SDF-1 signaling mediated Survivin expression in MPC is important for their proliferation and maintenance of the bone-marrow hematopoietic niche. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals T Cell Subsets and Associated Cytokines in Chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease Using G-CSF Primed Bone Marrow in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 4580-4580
Author(s):  
Monica M Rivera Franco ◽  
Eucario Leon Rodriguez ◽  
Diana Gomez Martin ◽  
Javier Merayo Chalico ◽  
Jorge Alcocer Varela
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Chronic Gvhd ◽  
The Other ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Ifn Γ

Abstract Background Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It is characterized by an imbalance between the effector and regulatory arms of the immune system which results in the over production of inflammatory cytokines. Regulatory T (T regs) cells and T helper 17 (Th17) cells are two recently described lymphocyte subsets with opposing actions. Both can develop from naïve CD4+ T cell precursors under the influence of TGFβ1. Th17 lymphocytes, are key effector cells in rodent models of human diseases including GVHD. The other subset, T regs, is essential for dominant immunologic tolerance. At our institution, patients transplanted using G-CSF primed bone marrow (G-BM), have a lower incidence of acute and chronic GVHD when compared to those transplanted with peripheral blood and not primed bone marrow. Some microenvironment characteristics of this hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) source remain unknown, as well as the difference between Tregs, Th17 and cytokine levels in patients who develop GVHD and those who do not. Objective To analyze the characteristics of thirty-eight G-BM donor samples, identifying lymphocytes subsets and associated cytokines, and comparing patients who developed chronic GVHD (cGVHD) and those who did not. Materials and Methods A prospective analysis was performed in 38 G-BM samples from donors from 1999 to 2016. Mononuclear cells were defrosted, counted, and viability was evaluated. A 24 hour resting with RPMI, and posterior activation with PMA (50 ng/ml) for 48 hours was performed. Cells were harvested and cytokines were evaluated by flow cytometry (CBA assay). From each sample, one million mononuclear cells were permeabilized, fixed, and stained with CD4-FITC, IL17A-PE, IFN-γ APC, and IL-4 PECy7, for their posterior phenotipication by flow cytometry. The samples were obtained in a BD LSR Fortessa cytometry, and analyzed with the Flow-Jo software. Patients (recipients) information was analyzed using SPSS v.21. Results GVHD incidence was reported as following: Three (8%) patients developed acute GVHD (2 grade II, and 1 grade IV), 11 patients (29%) developed chronic GVHD (9% extensive, and 91% limited), and 24 patients did not present either. Mononuclear cells from G-BM from donors of patients who developed cGVHD showed a pro inflammatory response, characterized by an increased concentration of IL-17A (15.5 vs 0.71 pg/mL, p=0.013), TNF-α (80.27 vs 0.13 pg/mL, p=0.001), and IL-6 (4953.6 vs 11.75 pg/mL, p=0.025), after a mitogenic stimulation, compared to cells from donors of patients who did not developed GVHD. On the other hand, a decreased IL-10 production (2.62 vs 52.81 pg/mL, p=0.001) was documented in mononuclear cells from donors of patients who developed chronic GVHD, compared to donor cells of patients who did not. No significant difference in the production of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ was observed. There was no difference in Th1 and Th2 between both groups, but mononuclear cells from donors of patients who developed chronic GVHD had a higher percentage of Th17 (1.02% vs 0.46%, p<0.001), and less Tregs (0.88% vs 1.95%, p<0.001), compared to those who did not developed GVHD. Conclusions Patients who develop cGVHD (29%) are characterized by a pro inflammatory response with an increased production of IL-17A, IL-6, and IFN-γ, and also a major percentage of Th17 cells. Also, a decreased suppressive response was documented with reduced IL-10 and Tregs levels. The low incidence of cGVHD show that G-CSF primed bone marrow is an excellent source for allogeneic HSC transplantations, and would be useful to compare these results with other HSC sources. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 13: Plasminogen Is Required for Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Mediated Cardiac Repair After Myocardial Infarction

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanqing Gong ◽  
Jane Hoover-Plow ◽  
Ying Li
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Tissue Repair ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cardiac Repair ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Ischemic heart disease, including myocardial infarction (MI), is the primary cause of death throughout the US. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used to mobilize hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells (HPSC) to improve cardiac recovery after MI. However, poor-mobilization to G-CSF is observed in 25% of patients and 10-20% of healthy donors. Therefore, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms regulating G-CSF-induced cardiac repair may offer novel approaches for strengthening stem cell-mediated therapeutics. Our previous studies have identified an essential role of Plg in HPSC mobilization from bone marrow (BM) in response to G-CSF. Here, we investigate the role of Plg in G-CSF-stimulated cardiac repair after MI. Our data show that G-CSF significantly improves cardiac tissue repair including increasing neovascularization in the infarct area, and improving ejection fraction and LV internal diameter by echocardiogram in wild-type mice. No improvement in tissue repair and heart function by G-CSF is observed in Plg -/- mice, indicating that Plg is required for G-CSF-regulated cardiac repair after MI. To investigate whether Plg regulates HPSC recruitment to ischemia area, bone marrow transplantion (BMT) with EGFP-expressing BM cells was performed to visualize BM-derived stem cells in infarcted tissue. Our data show that G-CSF dramatically increases recruitment of GFP+ cells (by 16 fold) in WT mice but not in Plg -/- mice, suggesting that Plg is essential for HPSC recruitment from BM to the lesion sites after MI. In further studies, we investigated the role of Plg in the regulation of SDF-1/CXCR-4 axis, a major regulator for HPSC recruitment. Our results show that G-CSF significantly increases CXCR-4 expression in infarcted area in WT mice. While G-CSF-induced CXCR-4 expression is markedly decreased (80%) in Plg -/- mice, suggesting Plg may regulate CXCR-4 expression during HSPC recruitment to injured heart. Interestingly, Plg does not affect SDF-1 expression in response to G-CSF treatment. Taken together, our findings have identified a critical role of Plg in HSPC recruitment to the lesion site and subsequent tissue repair after MI. Thus, targeting Plg may offer a new therapeutic strategy to improve G-CSF-mediated cardiac repair after MI.

scholarly journals The quiescent fraction of chronic myeloid leukemic stem cells depends on BMPR1B, Stat3 and BMP4-niche signals to persist in patients in remission

Haematologica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Jeanpierre ◽  
Kawtar Arizkane ◽  
Supat Thongjuea ◽  
Elodie Grockowiak ◽  
Kevin Geistlich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Bmp Signaling ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Leukemic Stem Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Chronic myelogenous leukemia arises from the transformation of hematopoietic stem cells by the BCR-ABL oncogene. Though transformed cells are predominantly BCR-ABL-dependent and sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, some BMPR1B+ leukemic stem cells are treatment-insensitive and rely, among others, on the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway for their survival via a BMP4 autocrine loop. Here, we further studied the involvement of BMP signaling in favoring residual leukemic stem cell persistence in the bone marrow of patients having achieved remission under treatment. We demonstrate by single-cell RNA-Seq analysis that a sub-fraction of surviving BMPR1B+ leukemic stem cells are co-enriched in BMP signaling, quiescence and stem cell signatures, without modulation of the canonical BMP target genes, but enrichment in actors of the Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathway. Indeed, based on a new model of persisting CD34+CD38- leukemic stem cells, we show that BMPR1B+ cells display co-activated Smad1/5/8 and Stat3 pathways. Interestingly, we reveal that only the BMPR1B+ cells adhering to stromal cells display a quiescent status. Surprisingly, this quiescence is induced by treatment, while non-adherent BMPR1B+ cells treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors continued to proliferate. The subsequent targeting of BMPR1B and Jak2 pathways decreased quiescent leukemic stem cells by promoting their cell cycle re-entry and differentiation. Moreover, while Jak2-inhibitors alone increased BMP4 production by mesenchymal cells, the addition of the newly described BMPR1B inhibitor (E6201) impaired BMP4-mediated production by stromal cells. Altogether, our data demonstrate that targeting both BMPR1B and Jak2/Stat3 efficiently impacts persisting and dormant leukemic stem cells hidden in their bone marrow microenvironment.

scholarly journals Self-repopulating recipient bone marrow resident macrophages promote long-term hematopoietic stem cell engraftment

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (7) ◽  
pp. 735-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simranpreet Kaur ◽  
Liza J. Raggatt ◽  
Susan M. Millard ◽  
Andy C. Wu ◽  
Lena Batoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cell Engraftment ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Bone Marrow Engraftment

Key Points Recipient macrophages persist in hematopoietic tissues and self-repopulate via in situ proliferation after syngeneic transplantation. Targeted depletion of recipient CD169+ macrophages after transplant impaired long-term bone marrow engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells.

scholarly journals Autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation restores hematopoietic function following marrow ablative therapy

Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 723-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Kessinger ◽  
JO Armitage ◽  
JD Landmark ◽  
DM Smith ◽  
DD Weisenburger
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Autologous Bone Marrow ◽  
Normal Numbers ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Ablative Therapy ◽  
To Receive

Abstract From ten patients with advanced malignant disease involving the bone marrow, autologous hematopoietic stem cells were collected from the peripheral blood during eight four-hour pheresis procedures and cryopreserved. No manipulations to increase the number of stem cells circulating in the blood were used during the collections. Following marrow ablative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, the autologous cells were thawed and infused intravenously (IV). WBCs reappeared in the circulation at a median of eight days (range seven to 11 days) after stem cell infusion. Two patients died early, whereas the other eight reached normal numbers of circulating granulocytes that have persisted for up to greater than 20 months. These eight patients became independent of RBC transfusions (hemoglobin concentration greater than 10 g/dL) at a median of 27 days (range 11 to 58 days) after transplantation. One patient received platelet transfusions for counts less than 50 x 109)/L, one patient developed a clinical picture of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and six patients maintained a platelet count greater than 20 x 10(9)/L at a median of 23 days (range 14 to 25 days) following stem cell infusion. This technique allows patients ineligible for autologous bone marrow transplantation due to unacceptable anesthetic risks, prior pelvic irradiation, or bone marrow metastases to receive marrow ablative therapy.

scholarly journals β-Galactosylceramidase Deficiency Causes Bone Marrow Vascular Defects in an Animal Model of Krabbe Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 251
Author(s):  
Mirella Belleri ◽  
Daniela Coltrini ◽  
Marco Righi ◽  
Cosetta Ravelli ◽  
Sara Taranto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽  
Krabbe Disease ◽  
Microscopy Imaging ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Krabbe disease (KD) is an autosomal recessive sphingolipidosis caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal hydrolase β-galactosylceramidase (GALC). Oligodendroglia degeneration and demyelination of the nervous system lead to neurological dysfunctions which are usually lethal by two years of age. At present, the only clinical treatment with any proven efficacy is hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, which is more effective when administered in the neonatal period to presymptomatic recipients. Bone marrow (BM) sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) play a pivotal role in stem cell engraftment and reconstitution of hematopoiesis. Previous observations had shown significant alterations of microvascular endothelial cells in the brain of KD patients and in Galc mutant twitcher mice, an authentic model of the disease. In the present study, we investigated the vascular component of the BM in the femurs of symptomatic homozygous twitcher mice at postnatal day P36. Histological, immunohistochemical, and two-photon microscopy imaging analyses revealed the presence of significant alterations of the diaphyseal BM vasculature, characterized by enlarged, discontinuous, and hemorrhagic SECs that express the endothelial marker vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) but lack platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) expression. In addition, computer-aided image analysis indicates that twitcher CD31−/VEGFR2+ SECs show a significant increase in lumen size and in the number and size of endothelial gaps compared to BM SECs of wild type littermates. These results suggest that morphofunctional defects in the BM vascular niche may contribute to the limited therapeutic efficacy of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in KD patients at symptomatic stages of the disease.

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