Origin of Hematopoietic Progenitors during Embryogenesis

It has been widely accepted that hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages diverge from a common progenitor referred to as the hemangioblast. Recently, analyses of the potential of progenitor cells purified from mouse embryos as well as embryonic stem cells differentiating in vitro resolved intermediate stages between mesodermal cells and committed precursors for hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages. There are two distinct hematopoietic cell lineages which have different origins, i.e., primitive hematopoietic lineage derived from mesoderm or hemangioblasts and definitive hematopoietic lineage derived from endothelial cells. The endothelium is suggested to provide a milieu in which the definitive hematopoietic lineage acquires multiple potentials.     

Endothelial cells in the early murine yolk sac give rise to CD41-expressing hematopoietic cells

Hematopoietic and endothelial cells may be derived from a common precursor cell (hemangioblast) during embryogenesis; however, some evidence suggests that hematopoietic cells may emerge from endothelial cells. The onset of definitive hematopoiesis at E8.25 in the murine embryo is marked by high-level CD41 expression. We questioned whether these hematopoietic cells were derived directly from mesoderm cells or emerged from endothelium. At 8.25 days post coitus (dpc), CD41 was coexpressed with CD31, CD34, and Flk1 in some intraluminal round cells that appeared to arise from flattened endothelial cells lining yolk sac capillary vessels. Cell-sorting studies revealed that all subpopulations of cells expressing CD41 possessed hematopoietic activity. Surprisingly, Tie2(+)Flk1(+) cells, a phenotype enriched in adult endothelial progenitors, also displayed some hematopoietic progenitor activity in vitro, but this activity was restricted to the CD41(+) fraction; only endothelial cells were derived from freshly isolated Tie2 (+)Flk1(bright) CD41() cells. Tie2(+)Flk1(dim)CD41() 8.25-dpc yolk sac cells devoid of hematopoietic progenitor activity gave rise to endothelial-like capillary networks in vitro and differentiated upon co-culture with OP9 stromal cells into definitive hematopoietic progenitors. These results demonstrate that CD41-expressing definitive hematopoietic cells appear to arise from endothelial cells lining nascent capillaries in vivo.     

Identification and characterization of hemoangiogenic progenitors during cynomolgus monkey embryonic stem cell differentiation

We identified intermediate-stage progenitor cells that have the potential to differentiate into hematopoietic and endothelial lineages from nonhuman primate embryonic stem (ES) cells. Sequential fluorescence-activated cell sorting and immunostaining analyses showed that when ES cells were cultured in an OP9 coculture system, both lineages developed after the emergence of two hemoangiogenic progenitor-bearing cell fractions, namely, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2(high) CD34(-) and VEGFR-2(high) CD34(+) cells. Exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor increased the proportion of VEGFR-2(high) cells, particularly that of VEGFR-2(high) CD34(+) cells, in a dose-dependent manner. Although either population of VEGFR-2(high) cells could differentiate into primitive and definitive hematopoietic cells (HCs), as well as endothelial cells (ECs), the VEGFR-2(high) CD34(+) cells had greater hemoangiogenic potential. Both lineages developed from VEGFR-2(high) CD34(-)or VEGFR-2(high) CD34(+) precursor at the single-cell level, which strongly supports the existence of hemangioblasts in these cell fractions. Thus, this culture system allows differentiation into the HC and EC lineages to be defined by surface markers. These observations should facilitate further studies both on early developmental processes and on regeneration therapies in human.     

Step-wise divergence of primitive and definitive haematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages during embryonic stem cell differentiation

BACKGROUND: The developmental processes leading from the mesoderm to primitive and definitive haematopoietic and endothelial lineages, although of great importance, are still poorly defined. Recent studies have suggested a model in which common precursors give rise to endothelial progenitors and haematopoietic progenitors, the latter subsequently generating both primitive and definitive haematopoietic lineages. However, this model is contradicted by findings that suggest the emergence of haematopoietic cells from the endothelial lineage. RESULTS: We found sequential steps in the differentiation of FLK1+ mesoderm into haematopoietic and endothelial lineages in an in vitro differentiation system of embryonic stem (ES) cells: (i) the GATA-1+ subset of FLK1+ mesodermal cells loses the capacity to give rise to endothelial cells and is restricted to primitive erythroid, macrophage and definitive erythroid progenitors; (ii) the remaining GATA-1- cells give rise to VE-cadherin+ endothelial cells; and subsequently (iii) multiple definitive haematopoietic progenitors and endothelial cells branch off from a subset of VE-cadherin+ cells. CONCLUSIONS: These observations strongly suggest that the divergence of primitive and multilineage definitive haematopoietic/endothelial lineages occurs first, and then multilineage definitive haematopoietic progenitors arise from VE-cadherin+ endothelial cells in the development of haematopoietic and endothelial cells.     

Dual lineage-specific expression of sox17 during mouse embryogenesis

Sox17 is essential for both endoderm development and fetal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance. While endoderm-derived organs are well known to originate from Sox17-expressing cells, it is less certain whether fetal HSCs also originate from Sox17-expressing cells. By generating a Sox17(GFPCre) allele and using it to assess the fate of Sox17-expressing cells during embryogenesis, we confirmed that both endodermal and a part of definitive hematopoietic cells are derived from Sox17-positive cells. Prior to E9.5, the expression of Sox17 is restricted to the endoderm lineage. However, at E9.5 Sox17 is expressed in the endothelial cells (ECs) at the para-aortic splanchnopleural region that contribute to the formation of HSCs at a later stage. The identification of two distinct progenitor cell populations that express Sox17 at E9.5 was confirmed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting together with RNA-Seq to determine the gene expression profiles of the two cell populations. Interestingly, this analysis revealed differences in the RNA processing of the Sox17 mRNA during embryogenesis. Taken together, these results indicate that Sox17 is expressed in progenitor cells derived from two different germ layers, further demonstrating the complex expression pattern of this gene and suggesting caution when using Sox17 as a lineage-specific marker. STEM Cells2012;30:2297-2308.     

Lymphoid and myeloid lineage commitment in multipotent hematopoietic progenitors

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) continuously replenish all classes of blood cells through a series of lineage restriction steps that results in the progressive loss of differentiation potential to other cell lineages. This review focuses on the recent advances in understanding one of the earliest differentiation steps in HSC maturation, which involves the diversification of the lymphoid and myeloid cell lineages, the two major branches of hematopoietic cells. We discuss progress in the identification and characterization of progenitor populations downstream of HSCs, which has been a key to understanding the sequential biological events that take place along the course of differentiation into a certain hematopoietic cell type. We also discuss the importance of bone marrow microenvironment in lymphoid and myeloid lineage choice.     

小鼠胚胎早期血细胞发生的研究进展

根据时空上的不同,小鼠胚胎发育时期的血细胞发生目前被分为原始造血、红系/髓系祖细胞（EMPs）的产生和造血干细胞（HSCs）成熟并分化为各种血细胞3个阶段。最新的观点也把原始造血和EMPs的产生归结为非HSCs依赖性的血细胞谱系分化阶段,将第3阶段称为HSCs依赖性的血细胞谱系分化阶段。尽管胚胎时期的血细胞发生涉及多个造血器官,但本文中我们主要对近年在细胞和分子水平进行的造血细胞和HSCs在卵黄囊和腹主动脉-性腺-中肾（AGM）区发育的研究进行归纳总结,以此展示新近发现的胚胎发育早期血细胞发生的特点及其潜在机制。     

Endothelial progenitor cell: a blood cell by many other names may serve similar functions

The first reports of circulating cells that displayed the capacity to repair and regenerate damaged vascular endothelial cells as progenitor cells for the endothelial lineage (EPC) were met with great enthusiasm. However, the cell surface antigens and colony assays used to identify the putative EPC were soon found to overlap with those of the hematopoietic lineage. Over the past decade, it has become clear that specific hematopoietic subsets play important roles in vascular repair and regeneration. This review will provide some overview of the hematopoietic hierarchy and methods to segregate distinct subsets that may provide clarity in identifying the proangiogenic hematopoietic cells. This review will not discuss those circulating viable endothelial cells that play a role as EPC and are called endothelia colony-forming cells. The review will conclude with identification of some roadblocks to progress in the field of identification of circulating cells that participate in vascular repair and regeneration.     

CD34抗原的生物学特性及其临床应用

CD34抗原是一种高度糖基化Ⅰ型跨膜蛋白,它选择性的表达于人类造血干细胞(HSC),祖细 胞(PC)和血管内皮细胞(EC)表面。CD34+细胞并非通常所指的原始细胞,而是存在于淋巴细胞群内的造血 干细胞,随干细胞的分化成熟而逐渐消失。目前,已经证实了最原始的造血干细胞是CD34-细胞。本文对 CD34抗原、CD34+细胞和CD34-细胞的生物学特性以及临床应用进行了综述。     

Multiple mesoderm subsets give rise to endothelial cells, whereas hematopoietic cells are differentiated only from a restricted subset in embryonic stem cell differentiation culture

In the developing mouse, vascular endothelial cell (EC) and hematopoietic cell (HPC) lineages are two initial cell lineages that diverge from mesodermal cells, which have been roughly subdivided into three subtypes according to their geographical location: the organizer, embryonic mesoderm in the primitive streak, and extraembryonic mesoderm during gastrulation. Although the initial progenitors that become the two lineages appear in both vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(+) (VEGFR2(+)) lateral and extraembryonic mesoderm, little is known about the underlying molecular events that regulate the derivation of ECs and HPCs. Here, we describe an experimental system consisting of two types of embryonic stem cell lines capable of distinguishing between organizer and the middle section of the primitive streak region. Using this system, we were able to establish a defined culture condition that can separately induce distinct types of mesoderm. Although we were able to differentiate ECs from all mesoderm subsets, however, the potential of HPCs was restricted to the VEGFR2(+) cells derived from primitive streak-type mesodermal cells. We also show that the culture condition for the progenitors of primitive erythrocytes is separated from that for the progenitors of definitive erythrocytes. These results suggest the dominant role of extrinsic regulation during diversification of mesoderm.     

Brief report: efficient generation of hematopoietic precursors and progenitors from human pluripotent stem cell lines

By mimicking embryonic development of the hematopoietic system, we have developed an optimized in vitro differentiation protocol for the generation of precursors of hematopoietic lineages and primitive hematopoietic cells from human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Factors such as cytokines, extra cellular matrix components, and small molecules as well as the temporal association and concentration of these factors were tested on seven different human ESC and iPSC lines. We report the differentiation of up to 84% human CD45+ cells (average 41% ± 16%, from seven pluripotent lines) from the differentiation culture, including significant numbers of primitive CD45+/CD34+ and CD45+/CD34+/CD38- hematopoietic progenitors. Moreover, the numbers of hematopoietic progenitor cells generated, as measured by colony forming unit assays, were comparable to numbers obtained from fresh umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell isolates on a per CD45+ cell basis. Our approach demonstrates highly efficient generation of multipotent hematopoietic progenitors with among the highest efficiencies reported to date (CD45+/CD34+) using a single standardized differentiation protocol on several human ESC and iPSC lines. Our data add to the cumulating evidence for the existence of an in vitro derived precursor to the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) with limited engrafting ability in transplanted mice but with multipotent hematopoietic potential. Because this protocol efficiently expands the preblood precursors and hematopoietic progenitors, it is ideal for testing novel factors for the generation and expansion of definitive HSCs with long-term repopulating ability.     

Clonal chromosomal abnormalities showing multiple-cell-lineage involvement in acute myeloid leukemia

To determine whether one or more hematopoietic-cell lineages are involved in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we designed a technique that simultaneously identifies a cell as malignant and determines its lineage. We used numerical clonal chromosomal abnormalities, which are readily detected, to indicate neoplasia, and monoclonal antibodies in an alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase detection procedure to identify lineages as granulocytic-monocytic, erythrocytic, or megakaryocytic. Examination of bone marrow from 12 patients with AML showed metaphases of granulocytic-monocytic lineage with abnormal karyotypes in all patients. In seven patients, we also detected abnormal karyotypes in the erythrocytic or megakaryocytic lineage. In all four patients with monosomy 7, both granulocytic-monocytic and erythrocytic cells were affected. Two of four patients with trisomy 8 also had evidence of multiple-lineage involvement, but in two the erythrocytic lineage had normal karyotypes, suggesting an origin at a progenitor-cell stage committed to granulocytic-monocytic development. Multiple-lineage involvement was found in AML both arising de novo (four of five analyzable cases) and following another cancer (three of four analyzable cases). These data demonstrate multiple-lineage involvement in a high proportion of cases of AML and suggest that many cases originate from the multipotent hematopoietic cell or from an earlier progenitor cell.     

胚胎干细胞体外诱导分化为成血管血液干细胞的研究进展

成血管血液干细胞的概念早在20世纪就已经有人提出来,如今它的存在已经在小鼠和人的胚胎干细胞分化形成的类胚体中得到证实.在胚胎正常发育过程中,原始成血管血液干细胞具有分化形成血管内皮细胞和造血细胞2个谱系的双向分化潜能,是它们共同的前体细胞;而体外诱导分化胚胎干细胞形成成血管血液干细胞的模型为研究血管内皮细胞及造血细胞发育、分化过程和调控以及之间的关系提供了有效的途径.就近年这方面的一些研究成果作一综述. Abstract： The concept of hemangioblast was proposed a century ago. The existence of hemangioblasts has been demonstrated recently in vitro by differentiation of mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) cell into em-bryoid bodies(EBs). In the developing embryo, a common progenitor, termed "hemangioblast", generates both hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages. The in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells to hemangioblast is a powerful approach for studying the commitment of the hematopoietic and endothelial lineages. This review will summarize recent development in the studies on hemangioblast.     

Progenitor cell characterization and location in the developing human liver

Tissue-derived stem cells may offer future liver disease therapies. The developing human liver provides an excellent model to examine normal hepatic progenitor cell maturation, but candidate populations are poorly characterized. We sought to identify putative progenitor phenotypes in first-trimester human liver, by characterizing the architectural relationship between developing epithelial, mesenchymal, and hematopoietic lineages. Bipotential hepatoblasts were identified by co-expression of hepatocytic (cytokeratin 18, albumin) and biliary(cytokeratin 19) specific markers and epithelial-specific E-cadherin. Restriction of dlk/pref-1 expression to hepatoblasts identifies this as a novel human marker allowing for hepatoblast sorting for in vitro analysis. Furthermore, the liver stem cell and haematopoietic marker Thy-1 was co-expressed with markers of hematopoietic (CD34) and mesenchymal (vimentin) lineage restriction on portal vein endothelium. Therefore, this structure may constitute a novel progenitor compartment with hemangioblast-like properties.