Targeted regulation of transcription in primary cells using CRISPRa and CRISPRi

2021 ◽  
pp. gr.275607.121
Author(s):  
Trine I Jensen ◽  
Nanna S Mikkelsen ◽  
Zongliang Gao ◽  
Johannes Foßelteder ◽  
Gabriel Pabst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Regulation Of Transcription ◽  
Primary Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Human Cd34

Targeted transcriptional activation or interference can be induced with the CRISPR-Cas9 system (CRISPRa/CRISPRi) using nuclease-deactivated Cas9 fused to transcriptional effector molecules. These technologies have been used in cancer cell lines, particularly for genome-wide functional genetic screens using lentiviral vectors. However, CRISPRa and CRISPRi have not yet been widely applied to ex vivo cultured primary cells with therapeutic relevance due to lack of effective and non-toxic delivery modalities. Here we develop CRISPRa and CRISPRi platforms based on RNA or ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery by electroporation, and show transient, programmable gene regulation in primary cells, including human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and human CD3+ T cells. We demonstrate multiplex and orthogonal gene modulation using multiple sgRNAs and CRISPR systems from different bacterial species, and we show that CRISPRa can be applied to manipulate differentiation trajectories of HSPCs. These platforms constitute simple and effective means to transiently control transcription and are easily adopted and reprogrammed to new target genes by synthetic sgRNAs. We believe these technologies will find wide use in engineering the transcriptome for studies of stem cell biology and gene function, and we foresee that they will be implemented to develop and enhance cellular therapeutics.

scholarly journals Efficient genome editing in primary cells and in vivo using viral-derived “Nanoblades” loaded with Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoproteins

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe E. Mangeot ◽  
Valérie Risson ◽  
Floriane Fusil ◽  
Aline Marnef ◽  
Emilie Laurent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Genome Editing ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Mouse Bone Marrow ◽  
Primary Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

AbstractProgrammable nucleases have enabled rapid and accessible genome engineering in eukaryotic cells and living organisms. However, their delivery into target cells can be technically challenging when working with primary cells or in vivo. Using engineered murine leukemia virus-like particles loaded with Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoproteins (“Nanoblades”), we were able to induce efficient genome-editing in cell lines and primary cells including human induced pluripotent stem cells, human hematopoietic stem cells and mouse bone-marrow cells. Transgene-free Nanoblades were also capable of in vivo genome-editing in mouse embryos and in the liver of injected mice. Nanoblades can be complexed with donor DNA for “all-in-one” homology-directed repair or programmed with modified Cas9 variants to mediate transcriptional up-regulation of target genes. Nanoblades preparation process is simple, relatively inexpensive and can be easily implemented in any laboratory equipped for cellular biology.

scholarly journals Engraftment and Retroviral Marking of CD34+ and CD34+CD38− Human Hematopoietic Progenitors Assessed in Immune-Deficient Mice

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 1243-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mo A. Dao ◽  
Ami J. Shah ◽  
Gay M. Crooks ◽  
Jan A. Nolta
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Human Stem Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Human Cd34 ◽  
Cd34 Cells ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Ex Vivo Culture ◽  
Daunting Challenge

Abstract Retroviral-mediated transduction of human hematopoietic stem cells to provide a lifelong supply of corrected progeny remains the most daunting challenge to the success of human gene therapy. The paucity of assays to examine transduction of pluripotent human stem cells hampers progress toward this goal. By using the beige/nude/xid (bnx)/hu immune-deficient mouse xenograft system, we compared the transduction and engraftment of human CD34+progenitors with that of a more primitive and quiescent subpopulation, the CD34+CD38− cells. Comparable extents of human engraftment and lineage development were obtained from 5 × 105 CD34+ cells and 2,000 CD34+CD38− cells. Retroviral marking of long-lived progenitors from the CD34+ populations was readily accomplished, but CD34+CD38− cells capable of reconstituting bnx mice were resistant to transduction. Extending the duration of transduction from 3 to 7 days resulted in low levels of transduction of CD34+CD38− cells. Flt3 ligand was required during the 7-day ex vivo culture to maintain the ability of the cells to sustain long-term engraftment and hematopoiesis in the mice.

Maintaining the self-renewal and differentiation potential of human CD34+ hematopoietic cells using a single genetic element

Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 102 (13) ◽  
pp. 4369-4376 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Mulloy ◽  
Jorg Cammenga ◽  
Francisco J. Berguido ◽  
Kaida Wu ◽  
Ping Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
The Self ◽  
Differentiation Potential ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Human Cd34

AbstractHematopoiesis is a complex process involving hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and lineage commitment decisions that must continue throughout life. Establishing a reproducible technique that allows for the long-term ex vivo expansion of human HSCs and maintains self-renewal and multipotential differentiation will allow us to better understand these processes, and we report the ability of the leukemia-associated AML1-ETO fusion protein to establish such a system. AML1-ETO-transduced human CD34+ hematopoietic cells routinely proliferate in liquid culture for more than 7 months, remain cytokine dependent for survival and proliferation, and demonstrate self-renewal of immature cells that retain both lymphoid and myeloid potential in vitro. These cells continue to express the CD34 cell surface marker and have ongoing telomerase activity with maintenance of telomere ends, however they do not cause leukemia in nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice. Identification of the signaling pathways that are modulated by AML1-ETO and lead to the self-renewal of immature human progenitor cells may assist in identifying compounds that can efficiently expand human stem and progenitor cells ex vivo. (Blood. 2003; 102:4369-4376)

MicroRNA Maestros of Hematopoiesis

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. SCI-32-SCI-32
Author(s):  
Kara A. Scheibner ◽  
Diane Heiser ◽  
Ian M Kaplan ◽  
Wen-Chih Cheng ◽  
MinJung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Target Genes ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Human Cd34 ◽  
Leukemia Treatment ◽  
Normal Human ◽  
Target Molecules ◽  
And Function

Abstract Abstract SCI-32 MicroRNAs (miRs) inhibit stability and/or translation of mRNAs, usually by binding to specific sites in the 32′UTRs of their target mRNAs. Due to imperfect (i.e. partially complementary) miR:mRNA base-pairing, miRs can block translation of many mRNAs and serve as powerful master switches to regulate cell functions. Therefore, we profiled miR expression in human CD34+ hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells (HSPCs) and combined human HSPC miR expression, mRNA expression, and miR-mRNA target predictions to hypothesize that certain HSPC-expressed miRs (HE-miRs) target several mRNAs critical to hematopoiesis. On this informatic basis, we formulated a model of hematopoietic differentation in which many genes specifying hematopoietic differentiation are expressed by early HSPCs, but held in check by miRs [1]. In addition, we noted that the miR-23a cluster (i.e. adjacent, co-transcribed miR-23a, miR-27a, and miR-24-2) is not expressed or is expressed at levels >2-fold lower in 50% of acute myeloid leukemias and 80% of acute lymphoid leukemias tested compared to normal human HSPCs. ‘Re-expressing’ 1 or more of these miR-23a cluster members in leukemia cells promotes their apoptosis and reduces their proliferation, thus suggesting that these miRs have a tumor suppressive role. We have identified YWHAQ (14-3-3q) and several other 14-3-3 isoforms, which are anti-apoptotic and have established roles as oncogenes, as miR-23a cluster target molecules. Artificial manipulation of these HE-miRs and their target genes may lead to novel strategies for leukemia treatment and/or for expansion of normal HSPCs. Since the CD34+ HSPCs that we studied initially include rare stem cells and various stages of progenitors, we have expanded our miR profiling to more highly purified subsets of mouse HSPCs. Several previously described (e.g. miR-155 [1], miR-451 [2], miR-146 [3]) and novel HE-miRs are expressed differentially in lineages/stages of HSPCs, and their selective expression has been confirmed in human HSPC subsets. We are using cellular gain- and loss-of-function approaches with hematopoietic functional assays to determine whether these HE-miRs control human hematopoiesis. Understanding the effects of HE-miRs in hematopoiesis may elucidate hematopoietic and general stem cell biologic mechanisms. 1. Georgantas RW, 3rd, Hildreth R, Morisot S, Alder J, Liu CG, Heimfeld S, Calin GA, Croce CM, Civin CI. CD34+ hematopoietic stem-progenitor cell microRNA expression and function. A circuit diagram of differentiation control. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2007;104:2750–2755. 2. Dore LC, Amigo JD, Dos Santos CO, Zhang Z, Gai X, Tobias JW, Yu D, Klein AM, Dorman C, Wu W, Hardison RC, Paw BH, Weiss MJ. A GATA-1-regulated microRNA locus essential for erythropoiesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2008;105:3333–3338. 3. Starczynowski DT, Kuchenbauer F, Argiropoulos B, Sung S, Morin R, Muranyi A, Hirst M, Hogge D, Marra M, Wells RA, Buckstein R, Lam W, Humphries RK, Karsan A. Identification of miR-145 and miR-146a as mediators of the 5q- syndrome phenotype. Nat Med. 2010;16:49–58. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Small Molecule Combination Enhances CD34+/CD38- Cell Proliferation Via Inhibition of Differentiation

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 658-658
Author(s):  
Lan Wang ◽  
Xin Guan ◽  
Huihui Wang ◽  
Bin Shen ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Cell Expansion ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Qpcr Analysis ◽  
Cd34 Cells ◽  
Cells Cultured

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have become increasingly attractive for the therapy of various hematological system disorders. The aim of this study is to identify approaches that promote the expansion of HSCs. We present here the identification of a combination of small molecules and cytokines that is effective in retaining high stemness of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells while promoting cell proliferation by inhibiting differentiation. Firstly, five small-molecule candidates were screened for their individual effects on ex vivo expansion of human peripheral blood CD34+ cells in the presence of selected cytokines. The best compounds at their optimal concentrations were further analyzed in combination, to achieve maximum capacity for stimulating the CD34+CD38- cell expansion ex vivo. The extent of cell expansion and the immunophenotype of expanded cells were assessed through flow cytometry. Additional cell and molecular assays were performed to confirm that the expanded CD34± cells are functionally normal in vitro. Subsequently, the expanded cells were transplanted into sublethally irradiated NOD/SCID mice for the assessment ofhuman cell viability and engraftment potential in vivo. Furthermore, the expression of several genes in the cell proliferation and differentiation pathways was analyzed through qPCR during the process of CD34±cell expansion. Following multiple rounds of screening, an optimal formula (named as "SVC cocktail") was obtained, which consisted of four cytokines (stem cell factor, flt-3 ligand, thrombopoietin and interleukin-6) and three small molecules (Stem Regenin 1, valproic acid and CAY10433). CD34+ cells cultured with SVC cocktail had a purity of 76.2%±7.5% and reached expansion folds of 27.9±4.3 for CD34+/CD38- HSCs on day 7. In contrast, CD34+ cells cultured with the cytokines alone displayed a purity of 27.4%±6.3% and expansion folds of 15.5±2.2 for CD34+/CD38- cells. The groups with small molecules only (plus DMSO, the vehicle), or with basal medium only, showed no surviving cells on day 4. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis indicated that the SVC cocktail-induced CD34+/CD38- cells stayed in a more quiescent state (G0/G1: 75.2%±3.6%; S: 9.2%±2.4%). On the other hand, the cells cultured without the three small molecules had active DNA synthesis (G0/G1: 56.0%±2.0%; S: 31.8%±3.2%), implicating a trend of enhanced cell differentiation in the cytokine alone group. RT-qPCR analysis further demonstrated that the expression of HSC stemness markers CD90, CD133, CD117, ALDH1, Bmi1, HoxB4, GATA-2, Runx1, and CXCR4 were elevated in the SVC cocktail-induced CD34+ cells, but dramatically reduced or barely detectable in the cytokine alone group. In addition, CFU assays for the SVC cocktail group vs the cytokine alone group demonstrated BFU-E of 54.0±4.6 vs 11.7±1.5, CFU-GM of 71.0±2.7 vs 8.3±2.5, CFU-GEMM of 40.7±3.8 vs 5.0±2.0 and CFU-Mk of 6.7±1.5 vs 0.7±0.6, respectively. For the in vivo engraftment in mouse bone marrow, human CD45 rate in the SVC cocktail group was much higher than in the cytokine alone group (21.1%±2.7% vs 0.5%±0.1%); similar group differences were also found in the CD34+ and CD34+CD38- rate (7.7%±1.4% vs 1.6%±1.2% and 6.8%±2.2% vs 1.6%±0.1% respectively), all at 8 weeks post transplantation. Moreover, qPCR analysis of Notch and Wnt signaling pathways for cultured cells on day 7 showed that the expression of Notch target genes (related to high activation of HSC property) was enhanced in the SVC cocktail group compare to the cytokine group (HES5: 9.2±2.3 vs 3.6±1.4 in arbitrary units; HEY1: 6.3±1.9 vs 2.6±1.2; HES1: 3.2±1.3 vs 1.3±0.4; Notch1: 1.4±0.3 vs 1.2±0.3), whereas the expression of Wnt target genes (related to activation of HSC differentiation) was greater in the cytokine alone group than in the SVC cocktail group (CCND1: 10.1±4.3 vs 1.2±0.8; LEF1: 4.3±0.6 vs 2.9±0.2; PPAR D: 3.4±0.3 vs 1.5±0.1; FZD2: 1.8±0.2 vs 1.0±0.1). Taken together, our results show that the new SVC cocktail is able to retain the characteristics of HSCs remarkably well, by enhancing their expansion while inhibiting their differentiation. Mechanistically, it appears that the three small molecules can effectively inhibit the cytokines' pro-differentiation effects on CD34+CD38- cells without affecting the cytokines' ability to stimulate cell proliferation. Disclosures Wang: Biopharmagen Corp.: Employment. Ren:Biopharmagen Corp: Employment. Jiang:Biopharmagen Corp: Consultancy.

scholarly journals Prolonged Adherence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Derived Vector Particles to Hematopoietic Target Cells Leads to Secondary Transduction In Vitro and In Vivo

2006 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 639-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung-Wei Pan ◽  
Jarrad M. Scarlett ◽  
Tammy T. Luoh ◽  
Peter Kurre
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Critical Parameters ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Vector Particles

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 1-derived lentivirus vectors bearing the vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSV-G) envelope glycoprotein demonstrate a wide host range and can stably transduce quiescent hematopoietic stem cells. In light of concerns about biosafety and potential germ line transmission, they have been used predominantly for ex vivo strategies, thought to ensure the removal of excess surface-bound particles and prevent in vivo dissemination. Studies presented here instead reveal prolonged particle adherence after ex vivo exposure, despite serial wash procedures, with subsequent transduction of secondary target cells in direct and transwell cocultures. We explored the critical parameters affecting particle retention and transfer and show that attachment to the cell surface selectively protects virus particles from serum complement-mediated inactivation. Moreover, studies with nonmyeloablated murine recipients show that transplantation of vector-exposed, washed hematopoietic cells results in systemic dissemination of functional VSV-G/lentivector particles. We demonstrate genetic marking by inadvertent transfer of vector particles and prolonged expression of transgene product in recipient tissues. Our findings have implications for biosafety, vector design, and cell biology research.

scholarly journals Endothelial cell-derived angiopoietin-like protein 2 supports hematopoietic stem cell activities in bone marrow niches

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Yu ◽  
Wenqian Yang ◽  
Xiaoxiao He ◽  
Chiqi Chen ◽  
Wenrui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Ex Vivo Expansion ◽  
Bone Marrow Niche ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Bone Marrow Niches

Bone marrow niche cells have been reported to fine-tune HSC stemness via direct interaction or secreted components. Nevertheless, how niche cells control HSC activities remains largely unknown. We previously showed that angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) can support the ex vivo expansion of HSCs by binding to human leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2 (LILRB2). However, how ANGPTL2 from specific niche cell types regulates HSC activities under physiological conditions is still not clear. Herein, we generated an Angptl2-flox/flox transgenic mouse line and conditionally deleted Angptl2 expression in several niche cells, including Cdh5+ or Tie2+ endothelial cells, Prx1+ mesenchymal stem cells and Pf4+ megakaryocytes, to evaluate its role in the regulation of HSC fate. Interestingly, we demonstrated that only endothelial cell-derived ANGPTL2 and not ANGPTL2 from other niche cell types plays important roles in supporting repopulation capacity, quiescent status and niche localization. Mechanistically, ANGPTL2 enhances PPARD expression to transactivate G0s2 to sustain the perinuclear localization of nucleolin to prevent HSCs from entering the cell cycle. These findings reveal that endothelial cell-derived ANGPTL2 serves as a critical niche component to maintain HSC stemness, which may benefit the understanding of stem cell biology in bone marrow niches and the development of a unique strategy for the ex vivo expansion of HSCs.

scholarly journals Ex Vivo Gene Therapy: Graft-versus-host Disease (GVHD) in NSG™ (NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ) Mice Transplanted with CD34+ Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 656-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sundeep Chandra ◽  
Patrizia Cristofori ◽  
Carlos Fonck ◽  
Charles A. O’Neill
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Graft Versus Host Disease ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Host Disease ◽  
Graft Versus Host ◽  
Human Cd34

A therapeutic option for monogenic disorders is gene therapy with ex vivo-transduced autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Safety or efficacy studies of ex vivo-modified HSCs are conducted in humanized mouse models after ablation of the murine bone marrow and transfer of human CD34+ HSCs. Engrafted human CD34+ cells migrate to bone marrow and differentiate into various human hematopoietic lineages. A 12-week study was conducted in NSG™ mice to evaluate engraftment, differentiation, and safety of human CD34+ cells that were transduced ( ex vivo) with a proprietary lentiviral vector encoding a human gene (BMRN-1) or a mock (green fluorescent protein) vector. Several mice intravenously injected with naive CD34+ cells or transduced CD34+ cells had variable lymphohistiocytic inflammatory cell infiltrates and microgranulomas in the liver and lungs consistent with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Spleen, bone marrow, stomach, reproductive tract, but not the skin had similar inflammatory changes. Ex vivo viral transduction of CD34+ cells did not impact engraftment or predispose to xenogeneic GVHD.

scholarly journals Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors As Enhancers of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Activity

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5044-5044
Author(s):  
Manja Wobus ◽  
Guruchandar Arulmozhivarman ◽  
Martin Kraeter ◽  
Jens Friedrichs ◽  
Martin Stoeter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Hdac Inhibitors ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Adhesion Assay ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Notch 3 ◽  
Human Cd34 ◽  
Stem Cell Activity

Abstract Introduction The identification of compounds which increase the number but also keep or enhance the activity of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) could improve the clinical outcome after autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). So far, most attempts to increase HSPC numbers ex vivo have been unsuccessful because of either inadequate cell numbers and/or loss of engraftment capacity and HSPC quality during expansion. Executing drug discovery screens in vertebrate systems is generally expensive, technically challenging and time consuming. Therefore, the zebrafish represents a versatile vertebrate model allowing HSPC regulation and development studies during embryogenesis and adulthood. Methods We used a semi-automated chemical screen to identify modulators of HSPC activity by transgenic (cmyb:EGFP) zebrafish embryos. Verification of identified histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor candidates was carried out in vitro using human CD34+ HSPCs which were isolated from apharesis samples of healthy donors after mobilization with G-CSF by anti-CD34 coupled magnetic beads. The influence of HDAC inhibitors on HSPC phenotype, gene expression pattern as well as adhesion and migration capacity was analyzed after 5 days of treatment either in single or in co-culture with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Results The HDAC inhibitors valproic acid (VPA), resminostat and entinostat were shown to significantly amplify the number of hematopoietic precursors in a chemical in vivo zebrafish embryo screen (Arulmozhivarman et al. 2016). Treatment of human CD34+ HSPCs with these compounds in vitro resulted in a significantly increased percentage of CD34+CD90+ cells up to 60% compared to controls which showed only 2% of double positive cells as well as in 3-fold higher CD34+ and about 12-fold higher CD34+CD90+ absolute cell numbers. CD34 is a well-known surface marker for human immature HSPCs and in combination with CD90 it defines a potentially pluripotent subpopulation. In a co-culture setting, we found that VPA treated cells showed 2 to 3-fold higher attachment capacity on MSCs compared to the control cells. This finding led us to quantify the adhesive capacity of cells using static adhesion assay and atomic force microscopy based single-cell force spectroscopy (AFM-SCFS). Interestingly, detachment forces of VPA treated HSPCs were 3 times increased on MSCs compared to control cells and a similar phenotype was observed by static adhesion assay. Accordingly, the chemokine-mediated migration of VPA treated HSPCs towards SDF-1/CXCL12 was inhibited. To reveal underlying downstream molecules and mechanisms mediating the modified cellular characteristics, a whole genome expression array was carried out for HSPCs treated with VPA in comparison to untreated controls. Amongst a panel of regulated genes, the melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM/CD146), Notch 3 and its downstream effector Hes-1 as well as the SDF-1 receptor CXCR-4 were found to be significantly changed. Whereas the decreased expression of CXCR4 correlates with the inhibited migration potential of VPA-treated HSPCs and Notch-3/Hes-1 have a known role in normal and malignant hematopoiesis (Gu et al. 2016), the induced expression of MCAM on HSPCs was not described so far. The result was confirmed by flow cytometry which revealed a 40% MCAM-positive cell population when treated with VPA, whereas the control showed only negative cells. Additionally, significant higher transcript levels were detected for MCAM by quantitative real-time PCR in VPA expanded cells. Recently, we described a role of MCAM in MSCs for the hematopoietic support (Stopp et al. 2013). The inducible expression in HSPCs may reflect homotypic interactions which preserve a more immature subpopulation with high stem cell activity. Conclusion We describe for the first time the ability of the HDAC inhibitors VPA, resminostat and entinostat to efficiently expand CD34+ HSPCs ex vivo especially supporting a CD34+CD90+ subpopulation with potentially high stem cell activity. Moreover, a potential role of MCAM in this context may offer new perspectives of the HSPC expansion ex vivo for the improvement of HSCT. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Enhanced Self-Renewal of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Mediated by the Polycomb Gene Product, Bmi-1.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1686-1686
Author(s):  
Hideyuki Oguro ◽  
Atsushi Iwama ◽  
Hiromitsu Nakauchi
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Ex Vivo Culture ◽  
Deficient Mice

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document