Triple Negative (JAK2 exon 12 /14 and MPL wild type) Myelofibrosis Have Higher Expression Of CDC25A and Greater Sensitivity To CDC25A Inhibition Compared To JAK2 Mutant Cases

Abstract Pharmacologic therapies that target the JAK-STAT pathway are clinically used to alleviate splenomegaly and disease-related constitutional symptoms in MF. However, it is clear that some patients develop intolerance or resistant to this therapy. Furthermore, there are MF related complications especially cytopenias that are not alleviated by these therapies. Therefore, alternative and complementarytherapies are warranted in the management of MF. We hypothesized that other pathways downstream of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway can play a role in the pathophysiology of MF. We used whole exome (WES) and RNA sequencing technologies to interrogate new molecular markers and pathways which can serve as novel targets for this disease. In 4 MF patients [JAK2 mutant (MUT) =2, and wild type (WT) =2], WES was performed using the Illumina platform. All of the variants were filtered based on PHRED score (>=30) with coverage was set at 30X. Analysis of data in JAK2/MPL WT patients demonstrated the presence of 263 candidate genes. After clarifying the status of tumor nucleotide variants in each gene compared to germline (CD3+) fraction, 7 genes (RBL1, ADSS, ZNF717,MUC4, TUBB4Q and CDC25A) were selected for further somatic confirmation by direct sequencing. Among these genes, only alteration in CDC25A, a regulator of cyclinE/cdk2 (cyclin-dependent kinase-2) and cyclinA/cdk2 kinase, was confirmed to be somatic. This genetic change was previously reported as somatic by WES in lung cancer although not confirmed by direct sequencing (Bartkova et al, Nature, 2005, Apr 14; 434 (7035):864-70). Based on these observations and since CDC25A acts as a downstream effector of JAK-STAT signaling, we hypothesized that, CDC25A phosphatase, may be a driver in MF pathogenesis. The transcriptome of two patients, one MUT and one WT for JAK2 was then analyzed. RNA was isolated from bone marrow (BM) cells of healthy individuals (HI) (N=3). cDNA was made from 1.5-3 ug of RNA and fragmented for library preparation. RNA-sequencing was performed on 20 million sequence reads. Paired-end 90 base pair reads were generated on an Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencer and aligned to the human genome 19. RNA-splicing patterns were analyzed by a bioinformatics algorithm and gene expression analysis was carried out using GSEA (Visconte V; Blood. 2012). By using FDR<0.2, 11,460 genes were expressed. Further analysis demonstrated, CDC25A was over-expressed in both cases compared to HI but interestingly more highly expressed in JAK2 WT cases [fold change (FC): 0.39].This finding was validated by performing Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). To evaluate the protein expression of CDC25A in 10 MF (JAK2 MUT=5, JAK WT=5) patients and 5 HI, western blotting was performed; and higher expression in WT and MUT compared to HI were observed. Furthermore, its expression was also higher in WT compared to MUT cases. This is in contrast to a previous report by Gautier EF et al (Blood, 2012 Feb 2;119 (5):1190-9) where CDC25A expression was less in JAK2 WT cases compared to MUT cases. IHC was performed to confirm the difference of expression level of CDC25A in JAK2 MUT and WT bone marrow samples (N=8). IHC showed that JAK2 WT samples had many positive megakaryocytes stained with CDC25A antibody (>80%) while JAK2 MUT samples had only a few positive megakaryocytes (<20%). To test the feasibility of targeting this pathway in patients with MF and to assess for differential response between JAK2 MUT and WT cases, a potent cell permeable 7-substituted quinolinedione derivedCDC25 phosphatase inhibitor (NSC663284) was tested in JAK2 MUT (N=2) vs WT (N=1). Cell proliferation was determined by Trypan Blue and MTT assay after cell exposure to different concentrations of the inhibitor [3, 5, 7, 10 and 30uM] in 24 hours observation. NSC663284 induced higher dose-dependent cell growth inhibition in JAK2 WT compared to MUT cases (% of viable cells in WT vs MUT using previously mentioned concentrations, 3 uM= 98% vs 86%, 5 uM= 93% VS 77%, 7 uM= 88% vs 65%, 10 uM= 71% vs 43% and 30 uM= 25% vs 61%; p=0.01).In conclusion, CDC25A is more highly expressed in patients with wild type JAK2 compared to the mutant counterpart and primary cells from WT JAK2 patients demonstrate higher sensitivity to CDC25A inhibition, warranting further clinical testing of this therapeutic strategy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Sf3b1 Regulation of Jak/Stat Signaling Is Essential for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Formation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-118158 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 1268-1268

Author(s):

Teresa V. Bowman ◽

Rosannah C. Cameron ◽

Kathryn S Potts ◽

Mia McKinstry ◽

Varun Gupta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rna Splicing ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Active Form ◽

Janus Kinase ◽

Splicing Factor ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Wild Type ◽

Hemogenic Endothelium ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Stat Signaling

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the hematopoietic system throughout the lifetime of an organism. During embryonic development, HSCs emerge through an endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) from specialized hemogenic endothelial (HE) cells in the dorsal aorta. HSC fate specification depends on gene expression, which is the culmination of coordinated transcription, RNA splicing, and translation. Although transcriptional regulation of HSC fate choice is well studied, the regulatory role of RNA splicing in this process is poorly understood. Using zebrafish loss-of-function mutants for the spliceosomal component splicing factor 3b, subunit 1 (sf3b1), we identified that impaired splicing hindered HSC production. Surprisingly, we found that this constitutive splicing factor selectively regulates the fate of hemogenic endothelium while leaving the identity of closely-related non-hemogenic endothelium unperturbed. To identify Sf3b1-regulated transcripts important in EHT, we performed RNA-sequencing on purified kdrl:gfp+ endothelial cells from sf3b1 mutant and wild-type siblings at 24 hpf. Approximately 900 genes were mis-spliced, 144 of which were differentially expressed. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified Janus Kinase (Jak)/Signaling Transducer and Activator of Transcription (Stat) signaling, in particular Stat3, as one of the top perturbed pathways in the mis-spliced gene set. Stat3 is a transcription factor activated in response to several cytokine and inflammatory signals. To determine if altered splicing of stat3 was critical for HSC formation, we injected antisense splice-blocking morpholinos (MO) targeting the Sf3b1-sensitive stat3 exon19 into wild-type and sf3b1 heterozygous embryos, which normally generate equivalent levels of HSCs. We observed an impairment of HSC production in stat3 morpholino-injected sf3b1 heterozygotes, but not wild-type siblings, indicating a synthetic lethal interaction between sf3b1 and stat3. We also found that overexpression of a constitutively active form of Stat3 significantly suppressed the HSC defects in sf3b1 homozygous mutants. Together, these data indicate that Sf3b1-mediated splicing regulation of the Jak/Stat pathway is critical for HSC emergence. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Mutational Characteristics and Changing Pattern from Idiopathic Cytopenia of Undetermined Significance to High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Stratified By IPSS-R

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-125236 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 3009-3009

Author(s):

Eun-Ji Choi ◽

Young-Uk Cho ◽

Seongsoo Jang ◽

Chan-jeoung Park ◽

Han-Seung Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

High Risk ◽

Myelodysplastic Syndrome ◽

Rna Splicing ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Low Risk ◽

International Prognostic Scoring System ◽

Intermediate Risk ◽

Sequencing Data ◽

Undetermined Significance

Background: Unexplained cytopenia comprises a spectrum of hematological diseases from idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS) to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) is the standard tool to assess risk in MDS. Here, we investigated the occurrence, characteristics, and changing pattern of mutations in patients with ICUS and MDS stratified by IPSS-R score. Methods: A total of 211 patients were enrolled: 73 with ICUS and 138 with MDS. We analyzed the sequencing data of a targeted gene panel assay covering 141 genes using the MiSeqDx platform (Illumina). The lower limit of variant allele frequency (VAF) was set to 2.0% of mutant allele reads. Bone marrow components were assessed for the revised diagnosis according to the 2016 WHO classification. Lower-risk (LR) MDS was defined as those cases with very low- or low-risk MDS according to the IPSS-R. Higher-risk (HR) MDS was defined as those cases with high- or very high-risk MDS according to the IPSS-R. Results: Patients with ICUS were classified as very low-risk (39.7%), low-risk (54.8%), and intermediate-risk (5.5%) according to the IPSS-R. Patients with MDS were classified as LR (35.5%), intermediate-risk (30.4%), and HR (34.1%). In the ICUS, 28 (38.4%) patients carried at least one mutation in the recurrently mutated genes in MDS (MDS mutation). The most commonly mutated genes were DNMT3A (11.0%), followed by TET2 (9.6%), BCOR (4.1%), and U2AF1, SRSF2, IDH1 and ETV6 (2.7% for each). IPSS-R classification was not associated with mutational VAF and the number of mutations in ICUS. In the 49 LR MDS, 28 (57.1%) patients carried at least one MDS mutation. The most commonly mutated genes were SF3B1 (20.4%), followed by TET2 (12.2%), U2AF1 (10.2%), DNMT3A (10.2%), ASXL1 (10.2%), and BCOR (6.1%). Higher VAF and number of mutations were observed in LR MDS compared to ICUS patients. In the 42 intermediate-risk MDS, 27 (64.3%) patients carried at least one MDS mutation. The most commonly mutated genes were ASXL1 (23.8%), followed by TET2 (21.4%), RUNX1 (16.7%), U2AF1 (14.3%), DNMT3A (14.3%), SF3B1 (9.5%), and SRSF2, BCOR, STAG2 and CBL (7.1% for each). In the 47 HR MDS, 36 (76.6%) patients carried at least one MDS mutation. The most commonly mutated genes were TET2 (25.5%), followed by DNMT3A (14.9%), TP53 (14.9%), RUNX1 (12.8%), U2AF1 (10.6%), ASXL1 (10.6%), and SRSF2 and KRAS (6.4% for each). As the disease progressed, VAF and number of the MDS mutations gradually increased, and mutations involving RNA splicing, histone modification, transcription factor or p53 pathway had a trend for increasing frequency. Specifically, ASXL1, TP53, and RUNX1 mutations were the most striking features in patients with advanced stage of the disease. Cohesin mutations were not detected in ICUS, whereas these mutations were detected at a relatively high frequency in HR MDS. Our data were summarized in Table 1. Conclusions: We demonstrate that on disease progression, MDS mutations are increased in number as well as are expanded in size. Furthermore, a subset of mutations tends to be enriched for intermediate- to HR MDS. The results of this study can aid both diagnostic and prognostic stratification in patients with unexpected cytopenia. In particular, characterization of MDS mutations can be useful in refining bone marrow diagnosis in challenging situations such as distinguishing LR MDS from ICUS. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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An Insertional Mutagenesis Screen for Genes That Cooperate with Mll-AF9 in Leukemogenesis.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.3962.3962 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 3962-3962

Author(s):

Rachel Joy Bergerson ◽

Lara S Collier ◽

Sanne Lugthart ◽

Raha Allaei ◽

Molly J Nixon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Latency Period ◽

Wild Type ◽

Aberrant Expression ◽

Genetic Pathways ◽

Elevated Expression ◽

Insertion Sites ◽

Murine Leukemia

Abstract Abstract 3962 Poster Board III-898 By altering the activity of specific transcription complexes, the MLL-AF9 fusion oncogene can initiate the process of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) development. However, all the genetic pathways that can cooperate with MLL-AF9 expression to cause full-blown AML are unknown. These pathways will provide therapeutic targets for MLL-AF9-associated AML. Mice with constitutive expression of the Mll-AF9 fusion oncoprotein under the control of the endogenous promoter develop AML but only after a prolonged latency. This model thus provides a system for understanding the evolution of AML initiated by an MLL fusion oncoprotein. We hypothesized that infection with a recombinant Murine Leukemia Virus, abbreviated M4070, could cooperate with MLL-AF9 expression to accelerate the onset of leukemia by causing the secondary mutations required for cancer progression. We bred Mll-AF9 heterozygous males to wild type females, and the offspring were injected at three days of age with M4070 virus (n=211) or were mock infected (n=68). All mice were genotyped and observed for disease progression. Virally infected Mll-AF9/+ mice succumb to disease with a significantly reduced latency period when compared to virally infected wild type (WT) mice (p < .0001) and uninfected Mll-AF9/+ mice (p < .0001), indicating that M4070 infection causes significant leukemia acceleration in these mice. Histopathology, immunohistochemical staining, analysis of the surface immunophenotype by flow cytometry, and Southern blot analysis of T and B cell receptor rearrangement indicated that infected Mll-AF9/+ animals developed primarily myeloid leukemia (myeloperoxidase positive, Mac1 or Mac1/Gr1 positive, CD3 negative) while infected WT animals developed mostly lymphoid leukemia (CD3 positive, CD4 and/or CD8 positive, myeloperoxidase negative). Retroviral insertion sites were cloned from 167 leukemic tissues from the accelerated leukemia mice using two different restriction enzymes in a shotgun-based, linker-mediated, cloning protocol to identify the genes most frequently mutated in Mll-AF9 positive leukemia. More than 4,100 independent insertions were isolated and 101 common insertion sites (CIS), defined as genomic locations with several proviral insertions from at least 3 mice, were identified. The majority of the CIS harbored proviral insertions in both Mll-AF9/+ and wild type mice, but a subset of CIS were found in only one group or the other. Some of the genes closest to the CIS have been identified as target genes in other proviral screens and some are known cancer genes. We studied a subset of the CIS-associated genes for aberrant expression in leukemic tissues. There was elevated expression of Mn1, and a trend towards increased expression of Bcl11a and Fosb, in our Mll-AF9 murine leukemia samples with proviral insertions nearby these genes. Moreover, elevated expression of MN1, FOSB, and BCL11A has been observed in microarray studies of human patients with AML. We have completed a bone marrow transduction/transplantation experiment to seek functional evidence of cooperation with Mll-AF9. Mice transplanted with Mll-AF9/+ bone marrow that had been transduced with a retrovirus encoding the candidate gene MN1 succumb to myeloid malignancy faster than mice transplanted with wild type bone marrow transduced with MN1, or Mll-AF9/+ bone marrow transduced with a retrovirus encoding just the Green Fluorescent Protein gene. This data suggests that MN1 can cooperate with Mll-AF9 to accelerate myeloid leukemia in a mouse model. We are currently using shRNA knockdown strategies in human cell lines to confirm cooperation of more candidate genes with MLL-AF9 in AML development. Thus, CIS-associated genes from leukemias accelerated by M4070 in Mll-AF9/+ mice may help define important genetic pathways that are altered during progression of AML induced by MLL fusion oncogenes. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Erythroid Differentiation Regulator 1 (ERDR1) From Nurse-Like Cells Promotes the Survival of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.1372.1372 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 1372-1372

Author(s):

Hendrik W. Van Deventer ◽

Robert Mango ◽

Jonathan Serody

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Stromal Cells ◽

Stromal Cell ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Erythroid Differentiation ◽

Mesenchymal Cells ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Leukemia Cells ◽

Wild Type

Abstract Abstract 1372 Background: Chemotherapy resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be mediated by anti-apoptotic signals produced by stromal or nurse-like cells. Developing strategies to overcome this resistance is hindered by the lack of suitable “stromal” targets responsible for these signals. We have discovered that erythroid differentiation regulator 1 (ERDR1) may be a candidate target for such a strategy. In this study, we show Erdr1 is generated by several stromal cell types including bone marrow stromal cells, fibrocytes, and nurse-like cells. Furthermore, inhibition of stroma-generated Erdr1 results in increased apoptosis of co-cultured CLL cells. Methods/Results: We initially identified Erdr1 on an Affymetrix array that compared the gene expression of wild type and CCR5-/- mice with pulmonary metastasis. The increased expression of Erdr1 in the wild type mice was particularly pronounced in the pulmonary mesenchymal cells. Therefore, these cells were transfected with one of two shRNAs (shRNA #9 or shRNA#11) and the survival of these cells was compared with mesenchymal cells transfected with a non-targeted control vector. After 15 days in culture, the control cells expanded normally; however, no significant expansion was seen in either the shRNA#9 or shRNA#11 transfected cells. These differences in cellular expansion were associated with differences in apoptosis. 21.4+1.6% of the Erdr1 knockdown cells were annexin V+ compared to 11.2+1.9% of the non-targeted control (p<0.03). Using GFP as a marker for transfection, we were also able to show that knockdown of Erdr1 increased the apoptosis of surrounding non-transfected mesenchymal cells. Thus, Erdr1 is a critical protein for the survival of stromal cells. Further analysis of the mesenchymal cell subpopulations revealed the greatest expression of Erdr1 in the CD45+, thy1.1+/− fibrocytes. When compared to CD45- fibroblasts, the fibrocytes expressed CCR5 and increased Erdr1 expression by 14.2+/−2.9 fold when treated with the CCR5 ligand CCL4. Given the similarities between fibrocytes and nurse-like cells, we went on to measure the effect of Erdr1 inhibition on CLL cells. In these experiments, stable Erdr1 knockdown and control clones were selected after the transfection of the bone marrow stromal cell line M2-10B4. These clones were then co-cultured with primary CLL cells. At 96 hours, leukemia cells co-cultured with the control lines had expanded by 1.33 + 0.9 compared to 0.74 + 0.22 fold in the knock-down lines (p<0.03). As before, the lack of cellular expansion was associated with an increase in apoptosis. To further show the relevance of these findings to CLL, we demonstrated that human fibrocytes and nurse-like cells expressed mRNA and protein for ERDR1 in all patient samples tested. Implications for the treatment of human disease: Our data demonstrate that ERDR1 is a critically important protein for the survival of nurse-like cells. These data suggest that targeting ERDR1 or the upstream pathway through CCR5 might be a novel approach for the treatment of CLL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Disruption of the ASXL1 Gene Is Prevalent In PMF: Analysis of Molecular Genetics and Clinical Phenotypes

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.3074.3074 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 3074-3074

Author(s):

Brady L Stein ◽

Donna M Williams ◽

Michael A McDevitt ◽

Christine L. O'Keefe ◽

Ophelia Rogers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Genetics ◽

De Novo ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Array ◽

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms ◽

Direct Sequencing ◽

Snp Array ◽

Uniparental Disomy ◽

Jak2 V617f ◽

Wild Type

Abstract Abstract 3074 Background: The myeloproliferative neoplasms, PV, ET and PMF, share phenotypic features and molecular lesions, yet PMF distinguishes itself by its unfavorable natural history and rate of leukemic evolution. These distinctions may occur as a result of cooperating genomic lesions specific to PMF compared to PV or ET. We performed single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-A)-based karyotyping in 210 MPN patients and identified 20q11 deletions in 10% of PMF cases and in none of the PV or ET cases. The 20q11 deletion region spanned 1,662 KB and encompassed 37 genes, of which ASXL1 was included. To test whether ASXL1 contained lesions in the MPN cohort at large, we directly sequenced key regions of the ASXL1 gene in 65 PMF, 11 PV and 14 ET cases, as well as 7 controls from the SNP-array cohort. Genomic DNA from neutrophils and in select cases, purified CD34+ cells was used for both SNP-A and direct sequencing. Clinical parameters were correlated with genomic findings and the quantitative JAK2 V617F neutrophil allele burden Molecular genetics: 26/65 (40%) of PMF cases had abnormalities in ASXL1 (4 deletions, 22 mutations) whereas none of the 32 PV, ET or control cases had such lesions. The majority of ASXL1 sequence variations were nonsense lesions including the previously reported 1934dupG which comprised 30% of all of the mutations. The residual ASXL1 allele in all 20q11 deletion cases containing the ASXL1 gene was intact. In three PMF cases, more than one distinct ASXL1 mutation was identified, and cloning experiments on two of those cases indicated that the lesions were biallelic. Using banked samples, we observed the acquisition of an ASXL1 lesion over time, and established that ASXL1 lesions detected in 2 post ET-MF cases were also detected at low levels in the ET phase of the MPN. Genotype/Phenotype Correlations: ASXL1 deletions and mutations were prevalent in de novo PMF (37%), post PV-PMF (20%) post ET-PMF (62%) and in PMF/AML (33%). ASXL1 mutations did not associate with chemotherapy exposure as the prevalence of hydroxyurea use was similar in patients with and without mutations, and ASXL1 –mutation positive cases were present in patients who had never received any form of chemotherapy. There was no dependence upon JAK2 status as the presence of ASXL1 mutations were identified in JAK2 V617F-negative cases (9/26); JAK2 V617F-heterozygous cases (10/26); and JAK2 V617F-homozygous cases (7/26). Based on results of SNP-A, patients with ASXL1 mutations were equally as likely to have uniparental disomy (involving 9p or other regions) and loss/gain abnormalities (>1MB) compared to those without ASXL1 mutations. There were no differences in sex, age, or disease duration between PMF patients with and without ASXL1 mutations. In the ASXL1-mutant group, there was a trend toward a lower median white blood cell count (8 vs. 12.5 k/cu mm; p=0.3) and hemoglobin (9.7 vs. 11 g/dl; p=0.3) compared to ASXL1-wild-type patients. Furthermore, those PMF patients with ASXL1 mutations were significantly more likely to have received anemia-directed therapy (transfusion, erythropoietin, immunomodulating agents, steroids) compared to those without mutations (15/26 (58%) vs. 11/39 (23%); p=0.02). Post ET-MF patients comprised 31% (8/26) of ASXL1-mutant cases, compared to only 10% (4/39) ASXL1- wild-type cases (p=0.03). However, the presence of an ASXL1 mutation did not associate with an accelerated transition rate from ET to MF; among the 12 post ET-MF cases in the cohort, the median time of transition from ET to MF was 15.5 years in those with ASXL1 mutations compared to 7 years in those with ASXL1 wild-type status (p=0.02). Conclusion: Disruption of the ASXL1 gene occurs in 40% of PMF cases. The association of ASXL1 lesions, due to either mutation or deletion, suggests that ASXL1 haplo-insufficiency is associated with a PMF phenotype in the context of other known and unknown lesions, and that disruption of ASXL1 function may directly contribute to the pathophysiology and clinical complications of primary and secondary myelofibrosis. These data support the concepts that cooperative lesions in addition to JAK2 V617F are critical in generating PMF, that PMF is molecularly more complex than either PV or ET, and that the transition of PV or ET to PMF is associated with the acquisition of genomic lesions, such as ASXL1, that are present in PMF at large. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Regulation of Gata1 Expression by HS+3.5

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v116.21.3864.3864 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (21) ◽

pp. 3864-3864

Author(s):

Julia E Draper ◽

William G Wood ◽

Catherine Porcher ◽

Paresh Vyas

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Colony Formation ◽

Transgene Expression ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Es Cells ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Regulatory Elements ◽

Haematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Wild Type ◽

Foetal Liver

Abstract Abstract 3864 Precise regulation of Gata1 expression is required in order to control the balance between lymphoid/granulomonocytic (GM) and megakaryocytic-erythroid (MegE) specification, as well as to ensure correct differentiation of the MegE lineages. Transcriptional control is conferred in part by cis regulatory elements. An upstream enhancer, HS-3.5, and the erythroid first exon IE of Gata1 are necessary and sufficient to direct transgene expression in primitive but not definitive erythroid cells. Transgene expression in definitive red blood cells is restored by inclusion of an intronic DNaseI hypersensitive site, HS+3.5. Here we report the characterization of the HS+3.5 null embryonic stem cells and the HS+3.5 knockout mouse. In vitro differentiation of HS+3.5 null ES cells resulted in reduced myeloid and megakaryocytic colony formation compared to wild type. The ΔHS+3.5 ES cells retained normal primitive erythroid colony formation. ΔHS+3.5 definitive erythroid colony progenitors displayed a decreased sensitivity to Interleukin 3 (IL3) signalling compared to wild type. ΔHS+3.5 mice were viable and had normal blood counts and films. GM and erythroid progenitors also developed normally. However, there was a mild expansion of the E14.5 foetal liver Megakaryocytic Progenitor (MkP) compartment and an increase in Gata2 expression in both the bone marrow and foetal liver MkPs. Turning to Gata1, a decrease in Gata1 expression was observed in the following compartments: the bone marrow long term haematopoietic stem cell (LT-HSC) and the foetal liver common myeloid progenitor (CMP). The relationship between the effect of the HS+3.5 deletion on Gata1 expression and the haematopoietic phenotype will be discussed. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Desialylated Platelets Are Cleared From the Circulation by the Hepatic Asialoglycoprotein Receptor,

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.3257.3257 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 3257-3257

Author(s):

Renata Grozovsky ◽

Silvia Giannini ◽

Karin M. Hoffmeister

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Asialoglycoprotein Receptor ◽

Regulatory Mechanisms ◽

Wild Type ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Blood Cell Counts ◽

Terminal Galactose

Abstract Abstract 3257 The regulatory mechanisms of platelet homeostasis remain elusive. We investigated here the role of hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor (a.k.a. Ashwell-Morell receptor) in platelet clearance. Mice lacking the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor Asgpr2 subunit had increased platelet survivals (T1/2 = 49.5±2h) when compared to wild type (WT, T1/2 = 31±4h) mice. Consequently, Asgpr2−/− mice had platelet counts increased by ∼20%, compared to WT, with increased terminal galactose exposure, as demonstrated using the galactose specific lectin RCA1. Bone marrow and spleen megakaryocyte numbers were reduced by ∼15% and ∼20% in Asgpr2−/− mice, compared to WT mice. Sialidase (NA, Clostidium perfringens, 50mU/mice) maximally desialylated circulating platelets when injected intravenously, as evidenced by increased RCA1 binding. Sialidase injection resulted in a ∼60% depletion of circulating platelets after 24h in Asgpr2−/− mice, compared to >90% in WT mice, indicating that desialylated platelets were partially removed by Asgpr1/2. In contrast to platelets, red blood cell counts were unaffected by sialidase treatment. Sialidase injection for 72h resulted in a 2.3-fold and 1.2-fold increase in megakaryocyte numbers in the spleen and bone marrow of WT mice, respectively, but not in Asgpr2−/− mice. In contrast to sialidase treatment, injections of rabbit anti-mouse platelet serum (RAMPS) depleted >95% of circulating platelets and increased by 70% bone marrow, but not spleen MK numbers in both WT and Asgpr2−/− mice. The data shows that removal of desialylated, i.e, senescent, platelets by the hepatic Ashwell-Morell receptor differs to that of antibody-mediated platelet clearance. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Non-Canonical NF-Kb Signaling Regulates Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Microenvironment Interactions

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.859.859 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 859-859 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chen Zhao ◽

Yan Xiu ◽

John M Ashton ◽

Lianping Xing ◽

Yoshikazu Morita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Bone Marrow Cells ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Wild Type ◽

Double Knockout ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Physiological Processes ◽

Marrow Cells

Abstract Abstract 859 RelB and NF-kB2 are the main effectors of NF-kB non-canonical signaling and play critical roles in many physiological processes. However, their role in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) maintenance has not been characterized. To investigate this, we generated RelB/NF-kB2 double-knockout (dKO) mice and found that dKO HSPCs have profoundly impaired engraftment and self-renewal activity after transplantation into wild-type recipients. Transplantation of wild-type bone marrow cells into dKO mice to assess the role of the dKO microenvironment showed that wild-type HSPCs cycled more rapidly, were more abundant, and had developmental aberrancies: increased myeloid and decreased lymphoid lineages, similar to dKO HSPCs. Notably, when these wild-type cells were returned to normal hosts, these phenotypic changes were reversed, indicating a potent but transient phenotype conferred by the dKO microenvironment. However, dKO bone marrow stromal cell numbers were reduced, and bone-lining niche cells supported less HSPC expansion than controls. Further, increased dKO HSPC proliferation was associated with impaired expression of niche adhesion molecules by bone-lining cells and increased inflammatory cytokine expression by bone marrow cells. Thus, RelB/NF-kB2 signaling positively and intrinsically regulates HSPC self-renewal and maintains stromal/osteoblastic niches and negatively and extrinsically regulates HSPC expansion and lineage commitment through the marrow microenvironment. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Profilin 1 Is Essential for Retention and Metabolism of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Bone Marrow

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.1224.1224 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 1224-1224

Author(s):

Junke Zheng ◽

Chengcheng Zhang

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Bone Marrow Failure ◽

Actin Binding ◽

Wild Type ◽

Cell Fates ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Multiple Cell

Abstract Abstract 1224 How stem cells interact with the microenvironment to regulate their cell fates and metabolism is largely unknown. Here we show that, in a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) -specific inducible knockout model, the cytoskeleton-modulating protein profilin 1 (pfn1) is essential for the maintenance of multiple cell fates and metabolism of HSCs. The deletion of pfn1 in HSCs led to bone marrow failure, loss of quiescence, increased apoptosis, and mobilization of HSCs in vivo. In reconstitution analyses, pfn1-deficient cells were selectively lost from mixed bone marrow chimeras. By contrast, pfn1 deletion did not significantly affect differentiation or homing of HSCs. When compared to wild-type cells, levels of expression of Hif-1a, EGR1, and MLL were lower and an earlier switch from glycolysis to mitochondrial respiration with increased ROS level was observed in pfn1-deficient HSCs. This switch preceded the detectable alteration of other cell fates. Importantly, treatment of pfn1-deficient mice with the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine reversed the ROS level and loss of quiescence of HSCs, suggesting that pfn1 maintained metabolism is required for the quiescence of HSCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that expression of wild-type pfn1 but not the actin-binding deficient or poly-proline binding-deficient mutants of pfn1 rescued the defective phenotype of pfn1-deficient HSCs. This result indicates that actin-binding and proline-binding activities of pfn1 are required for its function in HSCs. Thus, pfn1 plays an essential role in regulating the retention and metabolism of HSCs in the bone marrow microenvironment. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Neutropenia Does Not Delay Lymphopoietic Regeneration in NODSCIDcγ−/− Mice

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.4831.4831 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 4831-4831

Author(s):

Stefanie Bugl ◽

Stefan Wirths ◽

R Müller Martin ◽

Märklin Melanie ◽

Tina Wiesner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Control Group ◽

Early Event ◽

Wild Type ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Lymphoid Progenitors ◽

Fate Decision

Abstract Abstract 4831 Introduction: Previously it was demonstrated that lymphopoiesis is rapidly established after transplantation of wild type stem cells into lymphopenic NODSCIDcγ−/− mice. These data were interpreted as evidence for an “empty” preformed lymphopoietic niche being replenished by lymphoid progenitors. We hypothesized that antibody-induced neutropenia might influence early post transplant fate decision to myeloid rather than lymphoid differentiation resulting in delayed lymphoid reconstitution. Materials and Methods: 25,000 flow sorted CD45.2-expressing wild type Lin-/Sca1+/c-Kit+ (LSK) cells from C57BL/6 mice were transplanted into sublethally irradiated B-/T-/NK-cell deficient NODSCIDcγ−/− mice (CD45.1). Three groups of n = 7 mice received anti-Gr1 or anti-1A8 i.p. every 48 h to induce continuous antibody-mediated neutropenia vs. PBS as control. Blood was harvested at regular intervals to monitor the engraftment. After 16, 22, and 34 days, animals were sacrificed and underwent blood and bone marrow analysis. Results: Hematopoietic regeneration started with the emergence of donor-derived monocytes in all groups as well as neutrophils in the control group as early as 9 days after transplantation. On day 14, B cells were to be detected for the first time, followed by T lymphocytes approximately 20 days after transplantation. Besides the fact that neutrophils were undetectable in the antibody treated groups, the peripheral blood revealed no significant changes between the neutropenic mice and the control group at any point of time. At the bone marrow level, an increase of LSK and granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMPs) at the expense of megakaryocyte erythrocyte progenitor cells (MEPs) was found in neutropenic mice. Common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), however, were not significantly different. Conclusions: The engraftment of wild type donor cells after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation into NODSCIDcγ−/− mice started with the production of monocytes and neutrophils. B-lymphocytes were detectable by day 14 after transplantation. The production of T-cells started around day 20. Continuous antibody-mediated neutropenia did not significantly delay lymphoid regeneration. Although the marrow of neutropenic mice displayed increased proliferation of granulocyte progenitors, CLPs were unchanged. We conclude that the detection of donor-derived lymphocytes in the host peripheral blood is a relatively early event after LSK transplantation. Moreover, antibody induced neutropenia is not sufficient to induce sustainable changes in early hematopoietic fate decisions on the bone marrow level. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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