Gene expression analysis of hematopoietic progenitor cells identifies Dlg7 as a potential stem cell gene

Inducible hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell lines represent a model for studying genes involved in self-renewal and differentiation. Here, gene expression was studied in the inducible human CD34+ acute myelogenous leukemia cell line KG1 using oligonucleotide arrays and suppression subtractive cloning. Using this approach, we identified Dlg7, the homolog of the Drosophila Dlg1 tumor suppressor gene, as downregulated at the early stages of KG1 differentiation. Similarly, Dlg7 was expressed in normal purified umbilical cord blood CD34+CD38- progenitors but not in the more committed CD34+CD38+ population. Dlg7 expression was not detected in differentiated cells obtained from hematopoietic colonies, nor was expression detected in purified T-cells, B-cells, and monocytes. When analyzed in different types of stem cells, Dlg7 expression was detected in purified human bone marrow-derived CD133+ progenitor cells, human mesenchymal stem cells, and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Overexpression of Dlg7 in mouse ES cells increased their growth rate and reduced the number of EBs emerging upon differentiation. In addition, the EBs were significantly smaller, indicating an inhibition in differentiation. This inhibition was further supported by higher expression of Bmp4, Oct4, Rex1, and Nanog in EBs overexpressing Dlg7 and lower expression of Brachyury. Finally, the Dlg7 protein was detected in liver and colon carcinoma tumors but not in normal adjacent tissues, suggesting a role for the gene in carcinogenesis. In conclusion, our results suggest that Dlg7 has a role in stem cell survival, in maintaining stem cell properties, and in carcinogenesis. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.     

DEK regulates hematopoietic stem engraftment and progenitor cell proliferation

DEK is a biochemically distinct protein that is generally found in the nucleus, where it is vital to global heterochromatin integrity. However, DEK is also secreted by cells (eg, macrophages) and influences other adjacent cells (eg, acts as a chemoattractant for certain mature blood cells). We hypothesized that DEK may modulate functions of hematopoietic stem (HSCs) and progenitor (HPCs) cells. C57Bl/6 mice were used to demonstrate that absolute numbers and cycling status of HPCs (colony forming unit-granulocyte macrophage [CFU-GM], burst forming unit-erythroid [BFU-E], and colony forming unit-granulocyte erythroid macrophage megakaryocyte [CFU-GEMM]) in bone marrow (BM) and spleen were significantly enhanced in DEK -/- as compared with wild-type (WT) control mice. Moreover, purified recombinant DEK protein inhibited colony formation in vitro by CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-GEMM from WT BM cells and human cord blood (CB) cells in a dose-dependent fashion, demonstrating that DEK plays a negative role in HPC proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Suppression was direct acting as determined by inhibition of proliferation of single isolated CD34(+) CB cells in vitro. In contrast, DEK -/- BM cells significantly demonstrated reduced long term competitive and secondary mouse repopulating HSC capacity compared with WT BM cells, demonstrating that DEK positively regulates engrafting capability of self-renewing HSCs. This demonstrates that DEK has potent effects on HSCs, HPCs, and hematopoiesis, information of biological and potential clinical interest.     

辐射损伤导致造血干/祖细胞衰老的机理研究

目的 探讨辐射损伤导致骨髓造血干/祖细胞(HSC/HPC)衰老的可能机制.方法 雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为辐照组和假辐照组,辐照组小鼠经6.5 Gy的X射线全身一次性辐照,假辐照组小鼠处理同辐照组,但不辐照.辐照后24 h免疫磁珠分选法分离并计数两组小鼠的Sca-1+造血干/祖细胞细胞(Sca-1+ HSC/HPC),流式细胞术检测细胞周期,β-半乳糖苷酶(SA-β-Gal)染色检测衰老细胞百分率;混合造血祖细胞集落(CFU-Mix)培养观察分选细胞增殖分化能力,单细胞凝胶电泳(SCGE)检测辐照导致细胞的DNA损伤,RT-PCR检测细胞衰老相关基因p16INK4a、p19Arf、p53、p21 Cipl/wafl mRNA的表达;Western blot法检测p16INK4a、p21Cipl/Wafl蛋白表达.结果 免疫磁性分析法分离纯度的Sca-1+ HSC/HPC可达94％,辐照后小鼠每支股骨的Sca-1+ HSC/HPC数量急剧下降,细胞出现G1期阻滞;形成CFU-Mix集落数量和形成集落的细胞数明显降低;SA-β-Gal染色阳性率显著增高,彗星实验显示细胞拖尾明显延长;p16INK4a、p19Arf、p53、p21cipl/wafl mRNA表达明显增强,p16INK4a、p21Cipl/Wafl蛋白的表达水平上调.结论 辐射导致HSC/HPC DNA的损伤和衰老相关生物学改变,p16INK4a-Rb和p19Arf-p53-p21 Cipl/Wafl信号通路可能起一定作用.     

Clusterin, a marker for anaplastic large cell lymphoma immunohistochemical profile in hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic malignant neoplasms

We evaluated the immunohistochemical staining profile of clusterin in paraffin sections of 143 neoplasms (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 83, including 41 anaplastic large cell lymphomas [ALCLs]; Hodgkin lymphoma, 17; primary and metastatic carcinoma, 30; and other neoplasms, 13). In 40 of 41 ALCLs (34 systemic, 7 cutaneous), neoplastic cells revealed clusterin reactivity characterized by a Golgi staining pattern. The proportion of reactive cells varied with more than 25% positive cells in the majority of cases. In 7 non-Hodgkin lymphomas of other types, fine cytoplasmic (3 cases) or strong membranous reactivity (4 cases) was observed for clusterin. In Hodgkin lymphoma, rare Reed-Sternberg cells exhibited focal cytoplasmic or membranous clusterin positivity. In the nonhematopoietic neoplasms, a Golgi staining pattern was apparent in only 2 cases, 1 lobular carcinoma of the breast and 1 poorly differentiated colonic carcinoma; however, cytoplasmic reactivity was noted in 12 of 30 carcinomas and 1 of 5 neuroendocrine neoplasms. A Golgi pattern of reactivity for clusterin seems highly characteristic of ALCL among hematopoietic neoplasms, but also might be observed in rare nonhematopoietic tumors, necessitating the use of a broad immunohistochemical panel for evaluation of poorly differentiated neoplasms of indeterminate derivation.     

Inflammatory signaling regulates embryonic hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell production

Identifying signaling pathways that regulate hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) formation in the embryo will guide efforts to produce and expand HSPCs ex vivo. Here we show that sterile tonic inflammatory signaling regulates embryonic HSPC formation. Expression profiling of progenitors with lymphoid potential and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from aorta/gonad/mesonephros (AGM) regions of midgestation mouse embryos revealed a robust innate immune/inflammatory signature. Mouse embryos lacking interferon γ (IFN-γ) or IFN-α signaling and zebrafish morphants lacking IFN-γ and IFN-ϕ activity had significantly fewer AGM HSPCs. Conversely, knockdown of IFN regulatory factor 2 (IRF2), a negative regulator of IFN signaling, increased expression of IFN target genes and HSPC production in zebrafish. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) combined with sequencing (ChIP-seq) and expression analyses demonstrated that IRF2-occupied genes identified in human fetal liver CD34⁺ HSPCs are actively transcribed in human and mouse HSPCs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the primitive myeloid population contributes to the local inflammatory response to impact the scale of HSPC production in the AGM region. Thus, sterile inflammatory signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway regulating the production of HSPCs during embryonic development.     

Imaging approaches to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell function and engraftment

Cell tracking in vivo continues to provide significant insights into hematopoietic cell function and donor cell engraftment after transplantation. The combination of proliferation tracking dyes and induced expression of reporters with advanced imaging modalities has led to better understanding of qualitative and quantitative aspects of hematopoietic cells' homing, seeding and engraftment. Currently, there is no single technique that allows in vivo tracking of cells with molecular resolution, thus several techniques need to be combined. Recent developments promise better implementation of non-invasive imaging modalities to study functional and molecular characteristics of stem cells.     

衰老调控因子SIRT6在人参皂苷Rg1延缓造血干/祖细胞衰老中的作用

目的探讨SIRT6在人参皂苷Rg1延缓造血干/祖细胞(HSC/HPC)衰老中的作用。方法三丁基过氧化氢(t-BHP)诱导Sca-1+HSC/HPC衰老,构建HSC/HPC衰老体外模型,Sca-1+HSC/HPC连续移植3代,构建HSC/HPC衰老体内模型。给予体内外衰老模型Rg1预防和治疗衰老。造血祖细胞混合集落(CFU-Mix)培养,细胞周期分析和衰老相关β-半乳糖苷酶(SA-β-Gal)染色,分析Rg1体内外调控Sca-1+HSC/HPC衰老的作用。荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测衰老调控因子SIRT6 mRNA及蛋白的表达。结果与体内外衰老模型组相比,Rg1治疗及预防衰老处理后Sca-1+HSC/HPC G0/G1期细胞比例、SA-β-Gal染色阳性率下降(P0.05),CFU-Mix数量升高(P0.05);SIRT6 mRNA及蛋白表达上调(P0.05);Rg1预防衰老组各指标变化均较Rg1治疗衰老组明显。结论Rg1在体内外均可通过调控SIRT6发挥其延缓Sca-1+HSC/HPC衰老的作用。     

促进胚胎干细胞来源造血干/祖细胞移植后细胞免疫功能恢复

目的:体外诱导胚胎干细胞分化为造血干/祖细胞过程中, 增加成熟T淋巴细胞的含量, 以促进其重建致死量照射小鼠的造血功能后免疫功能的早期重建。方法:胚胎干细胞在含甲基纤维素的培养基中自由分化形成胚胎体, 分化第6d添加造血生长因子, 同时添加胸腺肽, 流式细胞仪检测分化细胞中CD₃₄⁺的造血干/祖细胞和CD⁺₃的成熟T淋巴细胞含量, 最后将分化细胞注射入致死量照射小鼠体内, 观察60d, 以移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)发病率作为T淋巴细胞免疫功能的指标, 用PCR检测Sry反映移植细胞在宿主体内的存活。结果:分化第13d, 未加胸腺肽, CD⁺₃的成熟T淋巴细胞含量仅10.52%, 重建造血后无GVHD发生;添加胸腺肽, CD⁺₃的成熟T淋巴细胞含量升高达22.93%, 重建造血后GVHD发病率100%。结论:胚胎干细胞体外分化为造血干/祖细胞过程中, 添加胸腺肽, 能增加CD⁺₃的成熟T淋巴细胞含量, 体内重建造血后细胞免疫功能恢复较快。     

Delineation of human cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cell subsets with a unique monoclonal antibody AY19

Abstract: AY19, a unique mAb was used to better characterize the umbilical cord blood hematopoietic progenitor subpopulations. This mAb identifies an 85 kDa cell surface glycoprotein. In this present study we showed that AY19 mAb is reactive with 50–60% of the CD34+ cord blood cells. Extensive phenotypical studies revealed that AY19 mAb defines a novel CD34+ subset different from the ones defined by anti-CD90, anti-CD38, anti-CD33, anti-CD71, anti-CD19, anti-CD7 or anti-HLA-DR mAbs. We show that AY19 mAb reacts with both primitive and committed progenitors including my-eloid and lymphoid progenitors. In addition, sorted CD34+^high/AY19+ cells contain an increased number of CFU-GM and a decreased number of BFU-E compared with sorted CD34+^high/AY19— cells. We show that AY19 mAb exhibits agonistic properties by inducing a significant increase in the size of CFU-GM colonies when added to serum-free liquid cultures of hematopoietic progenitors. This suggests that AY19 mAb identifies a cell surface receptor which may be involved in the regulation of hematopoietic cell proliferation.     

CD138 (syndecan-1), a plasma cell marker immunohistochemical profile in hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic neoplasms

We evaluated the immunohistochemical profile and specificity of CD138 reactivity in 238 specimens from hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic neoplasms. In 91 bone marrow biopsies, CD138 reactivity was observed for nonneoplastic plasma cells, neoplastic plasma cells in multiple myeloma cases (43/43), and the plasmacytic component in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma cases (4/4). Stromal reactivity was noted in 7 multiple myeloma cases. Of 9 bone marrow specimens involved by metastatic carcinoma, tumor cells were CD138+ in 5 cases; stromal reactivity was noted in 7 cases. Studies of 76 nodal and extranodal lymphomas (B-cell, 49; T-cell, 8; Hodgkin lymphoma, 19), 1 Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and 14 nonneoplastic lymph nodes revealed CD138 reactivity only for nonneoplastic plasma cells, the neoplastic cells of 2 large B-cell lymphomas (immunoblastic type, plasmacytoid features), and the clonal plasmacytic component of 3 of 3 extranodal and 1 nodal marginal zone lymphoma. Evaluation of 56 epithelial and nonepithelial tumors revealed CD138 positivity for neoplastic cells of carcinomas of various types (30/33), frequently with associated stromal reactivity, and for neoplasms of mesenchymal, melanocytic, and other tumor types (12/23). Within the hematopoietic system, CD138 is an excellent marker of plasmacytic differentiation. Based on its broad staining profile, CD138 reactivity for neoplastic cells is not a definitive marker for plasmacytic derivation, unless a hematolymphoid origin has been established.     

A Limited role for p21Cip1/Waf1 in maintaining normal hematopoietic stem cell functioning

Several studies have suggested that the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 plays a crucial role in regulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor pool size. To allow assessment of long-term stem cell functioning in vivo, we have backcrossed a p21 null allele to C57BL/6 (B6) mice, the most commonly used mouse strain in hematopoietic stem cell research. In various in vitro assays, the homozygous deletion of the p21 allele did not affect the number of hematopoietic cells in B6 mice. Furthermore, the competitive repopulation ability was not different between p21-deficient and wild-type stem cells from both young and aged (20-month-old) mice. These results show that p21 is not essential for regulation of stem cell number in steady state. When proliferative stress was applied on p21-deficient stem cells by serial transplantation of 1,500 Lin(-)Sca-1(+)c-kit(+) (LSK) cells, again no detrimental effect was observed on cobblestone area-forming cell (CAFC) frequency and competitive repopulating ability. However, when bone marrow cells from mice that received 2 Gy of irradiation were transplanted, p21 deficiency resulted in a more than fourfold reduction in competitive repopulation index. Finally, we did not find major differences in cell cycle status and global gene expression patterns between LSK cells from p21-deficient and wild-type mice. Our findings indicate that the background of mice used for studying the function of a gene by genetic modification may determine the outcome. Cumulatively, our data fail to support the notion that p21 is essential for stem cell function during steady-state hematopoiesis, but may be relatively more important under conditions of cellular stress.     

去乙酰化酶1在人参皂苷Rg1体内正向调控造血干/祖细胞衰老中的作用

目的:探讨去乙酰化酶1(SIRT1)在人参皂苷Rg1体内正向调控造血干/祖细胞(HSC/HPC)衰老中的作用。方法:免疫磁性分选法分离纯化雄性供体小鼠Sca-1~+HSC/HPC连续移植3代构建HSC/HPC衰老体内模型。~(60)Coγ射线致死剂量辐射雌性受体鼠后分4组,照射对照组、衰老模型组、Rg1治疗衰老组和Rg1预防衰老组。衰老相关β-半乳糖苷酶(SA-β-Gal)染色、造血祖细胞混合集落(CFU-Mix)培养和细胞周期分析检测Rg1体内调控Sca-1~+HSC/HPC衰老的作用。荧光定量PCR及免疫印迹检测衰老调控分子SIRT1、核因子-κB(NF-κB)mRNA及蛋白的表达。结果:连续移植后受体鼠Sca-1~+HSC/HPC出现细胞衰老特征,随移植代数的增加,Sca-1~+HSC/HPC G_0/G_1期细胞比例及SA-β-Gal染色阳性率增高,CFU-Mix数量下降。与同代衰老模型组相比,Rg1治疗衰老组及Rg1预防衰老组受体鼠Sca-1~+HSC/HPC G_0/G_1期细胞比例、SA-β-Gal染色阳性率下降,CFU-Mix数量升高;SIRT6 mRNA及蛋白表达上调,NF-κB mRNA及蛋白表达下调;Rg1预防衰老组各指标变化均较Rg1治疗衰老组明显。结论:Rg1可能通过调控SIRT1/NF-κB信号轴发挥其在连续移植过程中抗Sca-1~+HSC/HPC衰老的作用。     

Cell polarity and asymmetric cell division within human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

Like other somatic stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) contain the capacity to self-renew and to give rise to committed progenitor cells that are able to replenish all hematopoietic cell types. To keep a constant level of HSC, the decision whether their progeny maintain the stem cell fate or become committed to differentiation needs to be highly controlled. In this context it became evident that HSC niches fulfill important functions in keeping the level of HSC more or less constant. Before discovering such niches, it was widely assumed that HSC divide asymmetrically to give birth to a daughter cell maintaining the stem cell fate and to another one which is committed to differentiation. Here, I summarize some of the experimental data being compatible with the model of asymmetric cell division and review some of our latest findings, which demonstrate the occurrence of asymmetric cell divisions within the HSC and hematopoietic progenitor cell compartment. Since cell polarity is an essential prerequisite for asymmetrically dividing as well as for migrating cells, I will also discuss some aspects of cell polarity of primitive hematopoietic cells.