Bone marrow niches of germline FANCC/FANCG deficient mice enable efficient and durable engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells after transplantation

Abstract The Polycomb group (PcG) proteins form multiprotein complexes that play an important role in the maintenance of transcriptional repression of target genes. Loss-of-function analyses show abnormal hematopoiesis in mice deficient for PcG genes including Bmi-1, Mph-1/Rae28, M33, Mel-18, and Eed, suggesting involvement of PcG complexes in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Among them, Bmi-1 has been implicated in the maintenance of hematopoietic and leukemic stem cells. In this study, detailed RT-PCR analysis of mouse hematopoietic cells revealed that all PcG genes encoding components of the Bmi-1-containing complex, such as Bmi-1, Mph1/Rae28, M33, and Mel-18 were highly expressed in CD34−c-Kit+Sca-1+Lin− (CD34−KSL) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and down-regulated during differentiation in the bone marrow. These expression profiles support the idea of positive regulation of HSC self-renewal by the Bmi-1-containing complex. To better understand the role of each component of the PcG complex in HSC and the impact of forced expression of PcG genes on HSC self-renewal, we performed retroviral transduction of Bmi1, Mph1/Rae28, or M33 in HSCs followed by ex vivo culture. After 14-day culture, Bmi-1-transduced but not Mph1/Rae28-transduced cells contained numerous high proliferative potential-colony forming cells (HPP-CFCs), and presented an 80-fold expansion of colony-forming unit-neutrophil/macrophage/Erythroblast/Megakaryocyte (CFU-nmEM) compared to freshly isolated CD34−KSL cells. This effect of Bmi-1 was comparable to that of HoxB4, a well-known HSC activator. In contrast, forced expression of M33 reduced proliferative activity and caused accelerated differentiation into macrophages, leaving no HPP-CFCs after 14 days of ex vivo culture. To determine the mechanism that leads to the drastic expansion of CFU-nmEM, we employed a paired daughter cell assay to see if overexpression of Bmi-1 promotes symmetric HSC division in vitro. Forced expression of Bmi-1 significantly promoted symmetrical cell division of daughter cells, suggesting that Bmi-1 contributes to CFU-nmEM expansion by promoting self-renewal of HSCs. Furthermore, we performed competitive repopulation assays using transduced HSCs cultured ex vivo for 10 days. After 3 months, Bmi-1-transduced HSCs manifested a 35-fold higher repopulation unit (RU) compared with GFP controls and retained full differentiation capacity along myeloid and lymphoid lineages. As expected from in vitro data, HSCs transduced with M33 did not contribute to repopulation at all. In ex vivo culture, expression of both p16INK4a and p19ARF were up-regulated. p16INK4aand p19ARF are known target genes negatively regulated by Bmi-1, and were completely repressed by transducing HSCs with Bmi-1. Therefore, we next examined the involvement of p19ARF in HSC regulation by Bmi-1 using p19ARF-deficient and Bmi-1 and p19ARF-doubly deficient mice. Although bone marrow repopulating activity of p19ARF-deficient HSCs was comparable to that of wild type HSCs, loss of p19ARF expression partially rescued the defective hematopoietic phenotypes of Bmi-1-deficient mice. In addition, transduction of Bmi-1 into p19ARF-deficient HSCs again enhanced repopulating capacity compared with p19ARF-deficient GFP control cells, indicating the existence of additional targets for Bmi-1 in HSCs. Our findings suggest that the level of Bmi-1 is a critical determinant for self-renewal of HSC and demonstrate that Bmi-1 is a novel target for therapeutic manipulation of HSCs.

Download Full-text

Connexin-43 Expression Regulates the Migration of Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Progenitors towards and From Bone Marrow.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.562.562 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 562-562

Author(s):

Daniel Gonzalez-Nieto ◽

Kyung-Hee Chang ◽

Anja Koehler ◽

Jorden Arnett ◽

Susan Dunn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Endothelial Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Connexin 43 ◽

Cell Types ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Hematopoietic Microenvironment ◽

Deficient Mice

Abstract Abstract 562 In the bone marrow (BM) cavity, the migratory traffic of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors (HSC/P) from the endosteal niches to circulation and viceversa depends on their response to chemokine gradients and interaction with endothelial and mesenchymal pre-osteoblastic cells located at the endosteal niches, forming the hematopoietic microenvironment (HM). Several lines of evidence have pointed out the possible role of the gap junction-forming protein connexin-43 (Cx43) in the control of stem cell and progenitor migration. Our group previously demonstrated that Cx43 expression in the hematopoietic microenvironment (HM) is critical in the fetal liver and BM hematopoietic regeneration after administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and other investigators have shown that Cx43 is crucial controlling the migration of neural progenitors along radial glial during brain development. We hypothesized that Cx43 could regulate the bidirectional migration of HSC/P in the BM stroma. Since Cx43 is expressed by mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells and hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors, we decided to analyze the Cx43 contribution in the control of HSC/P migration in cell-specific conditional knock-out mice. To achieve this objective, we have used mice that were selectively deficient for Cx43 in the osteoblast/stromal cells (Collagen 1a-Creflox/flox; O/S-Cx43-deficient), in endothelial cells (Tek-Creflox/flox; E-Cx43-deficient) or in hematopoietic cells (Vav1-Creflox/flox; H-Cx43-deficient). O/S-Cx43-deficient mice have been shown to be a model of osteoblast loss of function (Chung DJ et al., J. Cell. Sci., 2006) and E-Cx43-deficient mice have been shown to be a model of arterial hypotension induced by both increase nitric oxide and angiotensin levels (Liao Y et al, PNAS 2001). Analysis with reporter crossings with Rosa-loxP-Stop-LoxP-LacZ mice showed anatomical specificity of the Cre recombinase expression in different cell types of BM, and western-blot and RT-PCR expression indicated practical abolishment of the expression of Cx43 in each of the specific cell types. First, we analyzed whether there were changes in the levels of circulating progenitors in O/S-, E- or H-Cx43-deficient mice. While H-Cx43-deficient mice did not show any change in the levels of circulating HSC/P, E-Cx43-deficient mice showed a 3.5-fold and 4.7-fold, respectively, increase of circulating CFU-C and competitive repopulating units while maintaining normal repopulation ability of BM HSC. O/S-Cx43-deficient mice showed a 30% reduction in basal conditions which was more accentuated when administered G-CSF (50% reduction on day +6), compared with their WT counterparts. Interestingly, while osteoblast loss-of-function was induced in O/S Cx43-deficient mice, the intramarrow expression levels of CXCL12a/b and mesenchymal progenitor content (CFU-F) were increased (4- and 2-fold, respectively). In correlation with the increased levels of CXCL12, the distance to endosteum of transplanted CFSE+/lin-/c-kit+ BM cells into non-myeloablated O/S-Cx43-deficient mice was dramatically decreased (36.1±4.3 vs 23.2±2.1 mm, p<0.01), suggesting a major change in the cellular composition and chemokinesis within the hematopoietic microenvironment “in vivo”. Interestingly, the 16-hour homing of HSC/P transplanted into lethally irradiated O/S-Cx43KO recipient mice showed a ∼60% reduction and a significantly decreased survival in a limiting-dose transplantation radioprotection assay (50% survival in WT mice vs 0% survival in O/S Cx43-deficient recipients). The homing/engraftment defect of these mice correlated with a reversal of the increased levels of CXCL12 in irradiated BM and a 50% reduction of the migration of WT HSC/P through O/S-Cx43-deficient stroma in response to CXCL12. Altogether, these data indicate that intercellular communication through Cx43 shares distinct functions between the different cell components of the hematopoietic microenvironment, and mediates CXCL12-dependent and CXCL12-independent mechanisms in control of the BM homing and retention of HSC/P. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

Faculty Opinions recommendation of Quiescent human hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow niches organize the hierarchical structure of hematopoiesis.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1148056.605168 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Hector Mayani

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Hierarchical Structure ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

The Hierarchical Structure ◽

Bone Marrow Niches

Download Full-text

Angiopoietin-Like 3 Deficient Bone Marrow Has Decreased Ability to Support Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.1363.1363 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 1363-1363

Author(s):

Junke Zheng ◽

HoangDinh Huynh ◽

Chengcheng Zhang

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Ex Vivo Expansion ◽

Mouse Bone Marrow ◽

Bone Marrow Stroma ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Marrow Stroma ◽

Deficient Mice

Abstract We previously identified a group of angiopoietin-like proteins (Angptls) as new growth factors that stimulate ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). To investigate the physiological function of Angptl3 in bone marrow, we characterized the Angptl3 deficient mice, and identified several defects in the hematopoietic compartment. When we transplanted wild-type HSCs into lethally irradiated Angptl3 deficient mice, we found that the mutant bone marrow stroma have much lower ability to support in vivo expansion of HSCs. We sought to identify the Angptl3-producing cells in mouse bone marrow stroma, and showed that Angptl3 is highly expressed in CD45-SSEA4+ cells, which are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Indeed, the co-culture of HSCs with CD45-SSEA4+ MSCs resulted in ex vivo expansion of HSCs. DNA microarray analysis, real-time RT-PCR, and flow cytometry were used to identify the intracellular factors that are responsible for Angptl3’s effects on HSCs. This investigation demonstrated that Angptl3-stimulated HSC expansion is contributed by its activities to support HSC self-renewal and inhibit hematopoietic differentiation. Our study will likely lead to the identification of a novel component of the niche for HSCs.

Download Full-text

Implication of the Distinct Differentiation Pathway of Megakaryocytes From Hematopoietic Stem Cells in the Mouse Bone Marrow

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.1204.1204 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 1204-1204

Author(s):

Hidekazu Nishikii ◽

Kenji Matsushita ◽

Yosuke Kanazawa ◽

Yasuhisa Yokoyama ◽

Takayasu Kato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Dominant Negative Mutant ◽

Mouse Bone Marrow ◽

Alpha Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Deficient Mice

Abstract Abstract 1204 Background. Hematopoietic progenitor cells are the progeny of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) that coordinate the production of precise number of mature blood cells of diverse functional lineages. Megakaryocytes (Meg) are mapped at the downstream of bilineage progenitors for erythroid and megakaryocyte (MEP) in the most widely accepted scenarios, although different notions have also been suggested. Thrombopoietin (TPO) is thought to be the master cytokine for megakaryopoiesis. In mice lacking cMpl, the receptor for TPO, production of platelets and Meg is severely impaired. However, Meg are known to be still present in the bone marrow of these mice. These findings suggested that TPO independent signaling for Meg differentiation would exist. Purpose. To clarify the differentiation pathway of the Meg lineage, we focused on GPIb (CD42)-V-IX complex, expression of which has not been characterized in any progenitor cells whereas it is well known to be expressed on mature Meg and platelets. We also investigated how TPO-cMpl signaling would affect at MEP or pure megakaryocyte progenitor (MKP) stage using the cMpl deficient mice. Results and Discussion. GPIb alpha (CD42b) was expressed on 3–6 % of a mouse bone marrow population characterized as common myeloid progenitors (CMP), i.e., Lin-c-Kit+Sca1-CD34+CD16/32low cells. The GPIb alpha+ CMP (thereafter designated 34-alpha) population also expresses CD9, SLAM1, and CD41. These 34-alpha cells showed a restricted differentiation capacity to the mature Meg in in vitro culture. By intravenously infusing 34-alpha cells derived from CAG promoter-driven GFP-expressing mice into sublethally irradiated syngenic mice, GFP-expressing platelets were generated in vivo. Thus, we designate the 34-alpha cells as 34-alpha MKP. Gene expression analysis also supported that 34-alpha MKP has a restricted capacity of megakaryopoiesis. In vitro colony-forming assay and short-term liquid culture assay suggested that they are not derived from MEP but from the SLAM1+Flt3-c-Kit+Sca1+Lin- population, which highly contain HSC. When experimental thrombocytopenia was induced by injecting 5-fluorouracil into mice, the frequency of 34-alpha MKP was rapidly increased compared to that of MEP. These data imply a distinct pathway of Meg differentiation, which originates at the proximity of HSC. We next investigated whether generation of 34-alpha MKP and MEP is differently impaired in cMpl-deficient mice. The frequency of MEP was only mildly reduced. In contrast, 34-alpha MKP were much severely reduced. Notably, in vitro Meg differentiation was markedly impaired from both MEP and 34-alpha MKP derived from cMpl-deficient mice. These data suggested that discordance between Meg and platelet production is caused by the different dependence on TPO-cMpl signaling between the pathways generating MEP and 34-alpha MKP from HSC. We also found that Hes1, a transcription factor that is the best characterized effector functioning downstream of the Notch signaling pathway, is highly expressed in 34-alpha MKP. Conversely, Meg differentiation was abrogated by retroviral transduction of a dominant-negative mutant of Hes1. Taken together, our data imply the presence of two distinct Meg differentiation pathways from HSC and further suggest that the dependency of TPO-cMpl signaling is different in these pathways and Notch-Hes signaling plays an additional role in them. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

Impaired Hematopoiesis after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Its Pathogenesis and Potential Treatments

Hemato ◽

10.3390/hemato2010002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 43-63

Author(s):

Masahiro Imamura

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Graft Failure ◽

Graft Function ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Poor Graft Function ◽

Bone Marrow Niches

Impaired hematopoiesis is a serious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Bone marrow aplasia and peripheral cytopenias arise from primary and secondary graft failure or primary and secondary poor graft function. Chimerism analysis is useful to discriminate these conditions. By determining the pathogenesis of impaired hematopoiesis, a timely and appropriate treatment can be performed. Hematopoietic system principally consists of hematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow microenvironment termed niches. Abnormality in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and/or abnormality in the relevant niches give rise to hematological diseases. Allo-HSCT is intended to cure each hematological disease, replacing abnormal hematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow niches with hematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow niches derived from normal donors. Therefore, treatment for graft failure and poor graft function after allo-HSCT is required to proceed based on determining the pathogenesis of impaired hematopoiesis. Recent progress in this area suggests promising treatment manipulations for graft failure and poor graft function.

Download Full-text

Remodeling of Bone Marrow Niches and Roles of Exosomes in Leukemia

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22041881 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 1881

Author(s):

Takanori Yamaguchi ◽

Eiji Kawamoto ◽

Arong Gaowa ◽

Eun Jeong Park ◽

Motomu Shimaoka

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Chemotherapy Resistance ◽

Leukemia Cell ◽

Cell Communication ◽

Leukemia Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Bone Marrow Niches

Leukemia is a hematological malignancy that originates from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. Significant progress has made in understanding its pathogensis and in establishing chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation therapy (HSCT). However, while the successive development of new therapies, such as molecular-targeted therapy and immunotherapy, have resulted in remarkable advances, the fact remains that some patients still cannot be saved, and resistance to treatment and relapse are still problems that need to be solved in leukemia patients. The bone marrow (BM) niche is a microenvironment that includes hematopoietic stem cells and their supporting cells. Leukemia cells interact with bone marrow niches and modulate them, not only inducing molecular and functional changes but also switching to niches favored by leukemia cells. The latter are closely associated with leukemia progression, suppression of normal hematopoiesis, and chemotherapy resistance, which is precisely the area of ongoing study. Exosomes play an important role in cell-to-cell communication, not only with cells in close proximity but also with those more distant due to the nature of exosomal circulation via body fluids. In leukemia, exosomes play important roles in leukemogenesis, disease progression, and organ invasion, and their usefulness in the diagnosis and treatment of leukemia has recently been reported. The interaction between leukemia cell-derived exosomes and the BM microenvironment has received particular attention. Their interaction is believed to play a very important role; in addition to their diagnostic value, exosomes could serve as a marker for monitoring treatment efficacy and as an aid in overcoming drug resistance, among the many problems in leukemia patients that have yet to be overcome. In this paper, we will review bone marrow niches in leukemia, findings on leukemia-derived exosomes, and exosome-induced changes in bone marrow niches.

Download Full-text

Irgm1 Is a Negative Regulator of Interferon-Gamma Signaling in Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v114.22.382.382 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (22) ◽

pp. 382-382 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katherine Y King ◽

Megan T Baldridge ◽

David C Weksberg ◽

Margaret A Goodell

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Interferon Gamma ◽

Negative Regulator ◽

Wild Type ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Knock Out ◽

Deficient Mice

Abstract Abstract 382 Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are a self-renewing population of bone marrow cells that give rise to all of the cellular elements of the blood and retain enormous proliferative potential in vivo. We have a growing understanding that the controls on HSC proliferation are tied in part to regulation by the immune system—specifically, that HSC proliferation and mobilization can be stimulated by the immune cytokines interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma (IFNg). Our previous work has demonstrated that HSC quiescence and function are aberrant in mice lacking the immunity-related GTPase Irgm1 (also Lrg47). Indeed, the bone marrow of Irgm1-deficient animals at baseline mimics the bone marrow of wild type animals that have been stimulated with IFNg. We hypothesized that the HSC defects in Irgm1-deficient animals are due to overabundant IFNg signaling, and that Irgm1 normally serves to dampen the stimulatory effects of IFNg on HSCs. To test this hypothesis, we used RNA expression profiling to compare gene expression in wild type versus Irgm1-deficient mice. We found that interferon-dependent signaling is globally upregulated in the HSCs of Irgm1-deficient mice. Next we generated Irgm1-/-IFNgR1-/- and Irgm1-/-Stat1-/- double knock out animals. In contrast to the phenotype of Irgm1 single knock out mutants, the hyperproliferation and self-renewal defects in HSCs were both rescued in the double knock out animals, indicating that IFNg signaling is required for manifestation of the Irgm1-deficient phenotype. Futhermore, we found that Irgm1 is expressed in HSCs in a Stat1- and IFNgR-dependent fashion, suggesting that it forms a negative feedback loop for IFNg signaling in the HSC population. Collectively, our results indicate that Irgm1 is a powerful negative regulator of IFNg-dependent stimulation in HSCs. These findings demonstrate that IFNg provides a significant stimulus for HSC proliferation even in the absence of infection, and that IFNg-dependent signaling must be tightly regulated to preserve HSC self-renewal capacity. This study provides evidence that the Irgm1 protein can serve as a link between immunity and regulation of hematopoiesis at the level of the stem cell. We speculate that utilization of Irgm1 for its immune functions may detract from its ability to regulate HSC self-renewal capacity, thus ultimately contributing to myelosuppression and increased risk of death from chronic infections such as tuberculosis. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

S6K1 Regulates Self-Renewal of Leukemia Initiating Cells and Normal Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.442.442 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 442-442

Author(s):

Joydeep Ghosh ◽

Anindya Chatterjee ◽

Baskar Ramdas ◽

Michihiro Kobayashi ◽

Peilin Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Absolute Number ◽

The Self ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Mtorc1 Pathway ◽

Deficient Mice

Abstract The mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) gene is required for the maintenance of adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and regulation of progenitor population. Translocations in MLL have been detected in approximately 5-10% of adult acute leukemia patients and in approximately 70% of acute leukemias in infants. Various genes, including AF4, AF5, AF9, ELL and ENL have been identified as partners for translocation in MLL-rearranged leukemia. In hematopoietic cells, expression of MLL fusion proteins result in a block of differentiation. AML patients who successfully undergo treatment but relapse suggest the importance of targeting leukemia initiating cells (LICs) within the MLL leukemia. LICs remain in a quiescent state and are capable of survival despite treatment with chemotherapeutic agents or targeted molecular inhibitors. In mouse models, LICs are defined by the capability of successfully propagating disease upon serial transplantation. In order to prevent disease relapse, identification of molecules, which regulate the self-renewal of LICs, is essential. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mechanistic target of rapamycin complex1 (mTORC1) pathway is a key regulator of self-renewal of both HSCs and LICs. Deletion of Raptor, a subunit of mTORC1, does not affect initiation and progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but Raptor deficiency results in delayed propagation of AML. Upon its activation, mTORC1 phosphorylates and activates p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1) and inhibits the activity of eukaryote translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). S6K1 has been shown to be hyperactivated in hematopoietic cells expressing oncogenic MLL-AF9 fusion protein. In our study, we have assessed the role of S6K1 in the initiation, progression and propagation of AML using a genetic model of S6K1 knockout mice (S6K1-/-). We expressed MLL-AF9 fusion oncoprotein in WT and S6K1-/- hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSC/Ps) and transplanted them into lethally irradiated recipients. Recipients of both WT and S6K1-/- HSC/Ps bearing MLL-AF9 displayed high white blood cell (WBC) count, splenomegaly and developed AML. There was no difference in survival between the WT and S6K1-/- recipients. In order to determine whether S6K1 regulates the self-renewal of LICs, we transplanted lethally irradiated mice with cells from WT and S6K1-/- primary recipients who developed AML. Recipients of S6K1 deficient AML cells survived significantly longer compared to controls (n=17/group, p<0.001). S6K1 deficient HSC/Ps expressing MLL-AF9 showed reduced activation of Akt as well as decreased mTORC1 activity, suggesting that deletion of S6K1 results in reduced activation of PI-3K-Akt-mTORC1 pathway both upstream and downstream of mTORC1 which indicates that S6K1 might be involve in a feedback loop within this pathway. To determine the role of S6K1 in normal HSC development and maintenance, we analyzed bone marrow derived HSCs in WT and S6K1-/- mice. S6K1 deficiency did not alter the frequency of long term HSCs (LT-HSCs) as defined by CD150+ CD48- Lin- Sca1+ c-Kit+ surface markers, but the absolute number of LT-HSCs were significantly reduced in S6K1 deficient mice (p<0.02). The absolute number of multipotent progenitors (MPPs) (p<0.001), common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) (p<0.01) and megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors (MEPs) (p<0.01) were also significantly reduced in S6K1 deficient mice. Deficiency of S6K1 resulted in reduced quiescence of LT-HSCs (p<0.05). Expression level of p21, an inhibitor of cell cycle progression, was significantly decreased in LT-HSCs derived from S6K1-/- mice compared to LT-HSCs from control group. To study the role of S6K1 in HSCs' function, we performed competitive repopulation assay. Sorted LT-HSCs from bone marrow cells derived from either WT or S6K1-/- mice were transplanted with competitor cells into lethally irradiated recipients. S6K1 deficient LT-HSCs displayed reduced repopulating ability in secondary recipients (n=9-10/group, p<0.001). Expression level of p21 was downregulated in donor-derived HSCs isolated from secondary recipients of S6K1 deficient HSCs compared to control. Overall, our study establishes S6K1 as a critical regulator of self-renewal of both LICs and HSCs. Deficiency of S6K1 in AML cells results in delayed propagation of disease and deficiency of S6K1 in HSCs results in decreased self-renewal potential. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text