scholarly journals A wave of monocytes is recruited to replenish the long-term Langerhans cell network after immune injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (38) ◽  
pp. eaax8704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana R. Ferrer ◽  
Heather C. West ◽  
Stephen Henderson ◽  
Dmitry S. Ushakov ◽  
Pedro Santos e Sousa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Adaptation ◽  
Dense Population ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cell Network ◽  
Circulating Cells ◽  
Initial Wave ◽  
Immune Injury

A dense population of embryo-derived Langerhans cells (eLCs) is maintained within the sealed epidermis without contribution from circulating cells. When this network is perturbed by transient exposure to ultraviolet light, short-term LCs are temporarily reconstituted from an initial wave of monocytes but thought to be superseded by more permanent repopulation with undefined LC precursors. However, the extent to which this process is relevant to immunopathological processes that damage LC population integrity is not known. Using a model of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, where alloreactive T cells directly target eLCs, we have asked whether and how the original LC network is ultimately restored. We find that donor monocytes, but not dendritic cells, are the precursors of long-term LCs in this context. Destruction of eLCs leads to recruitment of a wave of monocytes that engraft in the epidermis and undergo a sequential pathway of differentiation via transcriptionally distinct EpCAM+precursors. Monocyte-derived LCs acquire the capacity of self-renewal, and proliferation in the epidermis matched that of steady-state eLCs. However, we identified a bottleneck in the differentiation and survival of epidermal monocytes, which, together with the slow rate of renewal of mature LCs, limits repair of the network. Furthermore, replenishment of the LC network leads to constitutive entry of cells into the epidermal compartment. Thus, immune injury triggers functional adaptation of mechanisms used to maintain tissue-resident macrophages at other sites, but this process is highly inefficient in the skin.

scholarly journals A single wave of monocytes is sufficient to replenish the long-term Langerhans cell network after immune injury

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana R. Ferrer ◽  
Heather C. West ◽  
Stephen Henderson ◽  
Dmitry S. Ushakov ◽  
Pedro Santos e Sousa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Langerhans Cells ◽  
Ultra Violet ◽  
Functional Adaptation ◽  
List Type ◽  
Single Wave ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cell Network ◽  
Immune Injury ◽  
Turn Over

Abstract Embryo-derived Langerhans cells (eLC) are maintained within the sealed epidermis without contribution from circulating cells. When the network is perturbed by transient exposure to ultra-violet light, short-term LC are temporarily reconstituted from an initial wave of monocytes, but thought to be superseded by more permanent repopulation with undefined LC precursors. However, the extent to which this mechanism is relevant to immune-pathological processes that damage LC population integrity is not known. Using a model of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, where allo-reactive T cells directly target eLC, we have asked if and how the original LC network is ultimately restored. We find that donor monocytes, but not dendritic cells, are the precursors of the long-term LC in this context. Destruction of eLC leads to recruitment of a single wave of monocytes which engraft in the epidermis and undergo a sequential pathway of differentiation via transcriptionally distinct EpCAM+ precursors. Monocyte-derived LC acquire the capacity of self-renewal, and turn-over in the epidermis was remarkably similar to that of steady state eLC. However, we have identified a bottleneck in the differentiation and survival of epidermal monocytes, which together with the slow turn-over of mature LC limits repair of the network. Furthermore, replenishment of the LC network leads to constitutive entry of cells into the epidermal compartment. Thus, immune injury triggers functional adaptation of mechanisms used to maintain tissue-resident macrophages at other sites, but this process is highly inefficient in the skin. Highlights Immune injury leads to recruitment of a single wave of monocytes to replace resident Langerhans cells (LC). DC lineage cells cannot become long-term replacement LC. The size of the re-emerging network is controlled by density-dependent division of mature LC. Immune injury and inefficient repopulation by monocyte-derived cells lead to a permanently altered LC niche.

Notch2 Signaling Inhibits Differentiation and Promotes Self Renewal of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells During Marrow Regeneration.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2544-2544
Author(s):  
Barbara Varnum-Finney ◽  
Irwin D. Bernstein
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Myeloid Differentiation ◽  
Primary Control ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Post Transplant

Abstract Abstract 2544 Poster Board II-521 Notch regulates numerous lineage choices during vertebrate development, and although ex vivo studies suggest that Notch regulates hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and multipotential progenitor (MPP) differentiation, a functional role for Notch in HSC/MPP self renewal in vivo remains controversial. We previously reported a Notch2 signaling role during bone marrow (BM) recovery following injection with chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5FU), where Notch2 signaling impedes myeloid differentiation, allowing for generation of sufficient numbers of progenitor cells. Herein, we examine a Notch2 signaling role in HSC as well as progenitor cell self renewal by enumerating generation of HSC and short term repopulating cells in lethally irradiated recipients (Ly5.1+) transplanted with a limiting number (5 × 105) of BM cells from either control mice or from mice bearing Cre-LoxP-inducible Notch2 deletions (Ly5.2+). In recipient mice transplanted with control BM, recovery was evident from Day11 to Day13 post transplant when significantly more than the initial post-irradiation number of 9.0 × 106 BM cells was seen in the recovering marrow. In recovering mice, recipients receiving control cells generated more BM cells than did recipients receiving Notch2-deficient cells. Furthermore, mice receiving control cells generated significantly more donor Sca-1+c-kit+ (SK+) cells than recipients receiving Notch2-deficient BM cells [44.4×103 (s.e.m.+/− 14×103) vs 8.2×103 (s.e.m.+/−1.5×103), respectively, p=0.001]. To quantitate the generation of short term repopulating cells, secondary radioprotection assays were performed. Irradiated secondary recipient mice received 1×106 BM cells from the primary recipients previously transplanted with either control cells or Notch2-deficient cells. Secondary recipients receiving cells from primary control transplants survived significantly longer than those receiving cells from primary Notch2-deficient transplants or than irradiated mice receiving no cells (n=4, p=0.01), indicating Notch2 is required to generate sufficient numbers of cells to provide radioprotection. To quantitate long term HSC generated in the recovering marrow, competitive repopulating units (CRU) were enumerated by performing secondary transplants in which 4-doses of BM cells ranging from 4 × 104 to 5 × 106 cells from primary transplants were injected into secondary recipients along with 1 × 105 Ly5.1+ competing cells. Enumeration of CRU at 2 weeks post transplant confirmed the number of short term repopulating cells was significantly decreased in mice transplanted with Notch2-deficient cells compared to mice transplanted with control cells [(1.3 CRU vs 8.8 CRU / 1×106 BM cells, respectively), p=0.0004)]. Enumeration of CRU at 9 weeks post transplant indicated HSC numbers were also significantly decreased in mice transplanted with Notch2-deficient cells compared to mice transplanted with control cells [(0.1 CRU vs 0.7 CRU / 1×106 BM cells, respectively), p=0.02]. Taken together, our results demonstrate a role for Notch2 in enhancing generation of long term HSC as well as short term repopulating cells and suggests that Notch2 signaling regulates a hierarchy of events to assure the initial repopulation by HSC and MPP, while delaying myeloid differentiation during hematopoietic regeneration. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Estrogens Enhance Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engraftment in a Xenogenic Transplantation Model

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2042-2042
Author(s):  
Sara Fañanas-Baquero ◽  
Israel Orman ◽  
Federico Becerra Aparicio ◽  
Silvia Bermudez de Miguel ◽  
Jordi Garcia Merino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Myeloablative Conditioning ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Hematopoietic Recovery ◽  
Cd34 Cells ◽  
Equity Ownership

Abstract Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) is a rare cell population that sits atop a hierarchy of progenitors that become progressively restricted to several or a single blood lineage. HSCs are capable of self-renewal and multipotent differentiation to all blood cell lineages. HSCs are crucial in the maintenance of lifelong production of all blood cells. HSCs are highly regulated to maintain homeostasis through a delicate balance between quiescence, self-renewal and differentiation. However, this balance is altered during the hematopoietic recovery after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). HSCT is routinely used to reconstitute hematopoiesis after myeloablation, being the most commonly-used cell therapy. HSCT efficacy and multilineage reconstitution can be limited by inadequate HSC number, poor homing, engraftment, or limited self-renewal. Recent evidence indicates that estrogens are involved in regulating the hematopoietic system homeostasis. Estrogens are the primary female sex hormones and are responsible for controlling many cellular processes including growth, differentiation and function of the reproductive system. However, estrogens have also been proposed to regulate HSCs. b-Estradiol (E2) was shown to promote the cell cycle of HSCs and multipotent progenitors (MPPs) and increase erythroid differentiation in females (1). On the other hand, tamoxifen reduces the number of MPPs and short-term HSCs but activates proliferation of long-term HSCs (2). The potential clinical application of estrogens in HSCT mainly derives from the possibility that these drugs may enhance the engraftment of transplanted HSCs, thus reducing side effects associated to myeloablative conditioning. Here, we show that a short-term treatment of immunodeficient mice transplanted with hCD34+ cells with estrogens such as E2 and estetrol (E4) improves human hematopoietic engraftment. Fifty-thousand cord blood CD34+ cells (CB-CD34+) were transplanted into sublethally irradiated immunodeficient NSG mice. Three days after transplantation, mice were treated for four days with daily subcutaneous doses of E2, E4 or vehicle. Human hematopoietic engraftment was evaluated in the BM of transplanted mice at four months later. E2 and E4 estrogens increased the proportion of hCD45+ cells 1.8-fold and 2.4-fold as compared to values determined in control mice, without modifying the proportion of myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Significantly, animals treated with either estrogen had significantly higher levels of human hematopoietic progenitors (hCD45+CD34+). To study the engraftment of long-term engraftment HSCs in transplanted mice, human CD45+ cells from primary recipients were sorted and transplanted in secondary NSG recipients. Three months after transplants, the proportion of human hematopoietic cells in secondary recipients was also higher when primary recipients were treated with E2 or E4 than in vehicle-treated animals. Improved engraftments associated to the administration of E2 or E4 estrogens were confirmed when very low doses of CB-CD34+ cells were transplanted (5x103 hCD34+/mouse) in recipients of either sex. Collectively, our data support a new application of estrogens to improve the hematopoietic recovery after HSCT. This application may have particular relevance to enhance the hematopoietic recovery after myeloablative conditioning and when limiting numbers of HSCs are available. Disclosures Bueren: Rocket Pharmaceuticals Inc: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding. Segovia:Rocket Pharmaceuticals Inc: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding.

scholarly journals Lack of α4 integrin expression in stem cells restricts competitive function and self-renewal activity

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 107 (7) ◽  
pp. 2959-2967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory V. Priestley ◽  
Linda M. Scott ◽  
Tatiana Ulyanova ◽  
Thalia Papayannopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Hematopoietic System ◽  
Progressive Decline ◽  
Hematopoietic Reconstitution ◽  
Competitive Disadvantage

AbstractAlpha4 integrin or VLA4 (CD49d/CD29) is a multitask molecule with wide expression within and outside the hematopoietic system. Because targeted ablation of α4 integrin leads to embryonic lethality, to study its effects on adult hematopoiesis, we used animals with conditional excision of α4 integrin (α4Δ/Δ) in hematopoietic cells. In such animals, we previously documented weakened bone marrow retention of progenitor cells during homeostasis and impaired homing and short-term engraftment after transplantation. In the present study we show that long-term repopulating cells lacking α4 integrins display a competitive disadvantage in hematopoietic reconstitution compared to normal competitors. Although initial dominance of α4+ competitors is due to their better homing and proliferative expansion early after transplantation, a progressive decline in contribution of α4Δ/Δ hematopoiesis is compatible with neither normal homing nor normal function of α4Δ/Δ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in post-homing hematopoiesis. In the absence of α4+ competitor cells, α4Δ/Δ HSCs can establish long-term hematopoiesis in primary recipients, however, some resurgence of host hematopoiesis is evident, and it becomes dominant in secondary transplants, so that no survivors with exclusively α4Δ/Δ cells are seen in tertiary transplants. Collectively, our data provide compelling evidence that under regenerative stress α4 integrin assumes a greater importance than for maintenance of steady-state hematopoiesis.

ETO2 Controls Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 396-396
Author(s):  
Stephane Barakat ◽  
Julie Lambert ◽  
Guy Sauvageau ◽  
Trang Hoang
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract Abstract 396 Hematopoietic stem cells that provide short term reconstitution (ST-HSCs) as well as hematopoietic progenitors expand from a small population of long term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) that are mostly dormant cells. The mechanisms underlying this expansion remain to be clarified. SCL (stem cell leukemia), is a bHLH transcription factor that controls HSC quiescence and long term competence. Using a proteomics approach to identify components of the SCL complex in erythroid cells, we and others recently showed that the ETO2 co-repressor limits the activity of the SCL complex via direct interaction with the E2A transcription factor. ETO2/CBF2T3 is highly homologous to ETO/CBFA2T1 and both are translocation partners for AML1. We took several approaches to identify ETO2 function in HSCs. We initially found by Q-PCR that ETO2 is highly expressed in populations of cells enriched in short-term HSC (CD34+Flt3-Kit+Sca+Lin-) and lympho-myeloid progenitors (CD34+Flt3+Kit+Sca+Lin-) and at lower levels in LT-HSCs (CD34-Kit+Sca+Lin- or CD150+CD48-Kit+Sca+Lin-). Next, the role of ETO2 was studied by overexpression or downregulation combined with transplantation in mice. Ectopic ETO2 expression induces a 100 fold expansion of LT-HSCs in vivo in transplanted mice associated with differentiation blockade in all lineages, suggesting that ETO2 overexpression overcomes the mechanisms that limit HSC expansion in vivo. We are currently testing the role of the NHR1 domain of ETO2 in this expansion. Conversely, shRNAs directed against ETO2 knock down ET02 levels in Kit+Sca+Lin- cells, causing a ten-fold decrease in this population after transplantation, associated with reduced short-term reconstitution in mice. Finally, proliferation assays using Hoechst and CFSE indicate that ETO2 downregulation affects cell division (CFSE) and leads to an accumulation of Kit+Sca+Lin-cells in G0/G1 state (Hoescht). In conclusion, we show that ETO2 is highly expressed in ST-HSCs and lymphoid progenitors, and controls their expansion by regulating cell cycle entry at the G1-S checkpoint. In addition, ETO2 overexpression converts the self-renewal of maintenance into self-renewal of expansion in LT-HSCs. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell commitment to the megakaryocyte lineage

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 127 (10) ◽  
pp. 1242-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolien M. Woolthuis ◽  
Christopher Y. Park
Keyword(s):  
Classical Model ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Multipotent Progenitors ◽  
Cell Commitment ◽  
Differentiation Pathways ◽  
Developmental Scheme ◽  
Developmental Hierarchy

Abstract The classical model of hematopoiesis has long held that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) sit at the apex of a developmental hierarchy in which HSCs undergo long-term self-renewal while giving rise to cells of all the blood lineages. In this model, self-renewing HSCs progressively lose the capacity for self-renewal as they transit into short-term self-renewing and multipotent progenitor states, with the first major lineage commitment occurring in multipotent progenitors, thus giving rise to progenitors that initiate the myeloid and lymphoid branches of hematopoiesis. Subsequently, within the myeloid lineage, bipotent megakaryocyte-erythrocyte and granulocyte-macrophage progenitors give rise to unipotent progenitors that ultimately give rise to all mature progeny. However, over the past several years, this developmental scheme has been challenged, with the origin of megakaryocyte precursors being one of the most debated subjects. Recent studies have suggested that megakaryocytes can be generated from multiple pathways and that some differentiation pathways do not require transit through a requisite multipotent or bipotent megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitor stage. Indeed, some investigators have argued that HSCs contain a subset of cells with biased megakaryocyte potential, with megakaryocytes directly arising from HSCs under steady-state and stress conditions. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting these nonclassical megakaryocytic differentiation pathways and consider their relative strengths and weaknesses as well as the technical limitations and potential pitfalls in interpreting these studies. Ultimately, such pitfalls will need to be overcome to provide a comprehensive and definitive understanding of megakaryopoiesis.

scholarly journals Comparison of the efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization regimens: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of preclinical studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengxin Luo ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Guixian Wu ◽  
Xiangtao Huang ◽  
Yali Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Dose ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Mice Model ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Support Unit ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Background Mobilization failure may occur when the conventional hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) mobilization agent granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used alone, new regimens were developed to improve mobilization efficacy. Multiple studies have been performed to investigate the efficacy of these regimens via animal models, but the results are inconsistent. We aim to compare the efficacy of different HSC mobilization regimens and identify new promising regimens with a network meta-analysis of preclinical studies. Methods We searched Medline and Embase databases for the eligible animal studies that compared the efficacy of different HSC mobilization regimens. Primary outcome is the number of total colony-forming cells (CFCs) in per milliliter of peripheral blood (/ml PB), and the secondary outcome is the number of Lin− Sca1+ Kit+ (LSK) cells/ml PB. Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed following the guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Decision Support Unit (NICE DSU) with WinBUGS version 1.4.3. G-CSF-based regimens were classified into the SD (standard dose, 200–250 μg/kg/day) group and the LD (low dose, 100–150 μg/kg/day) group based on doses, and were classified into the short-term (2–3 days) group and the long-term (4–5 days) group based on administration duration. Long-term SD G-CSF was chosen as the reference treatment. Results are presented as the mean differences (MD) with the associated 95% credibility interval (95% CrI) for each regimen. Results We included 95 eligible studies and reviewed the efficacy of 94 mobilization agents. Then 21 studies using the poor mobilizer mice model (C57BL/6 mice) to investigate the efficacy of different mobilization regimens were included for network meta-analysis. Network meta-analyses indicated that compared with long-term SD G-CSF alone, 14 regimens including long-term SD G-CSF + Me6, long-term SD G-CSF + AMD3100 + EP80031, long-term SD G-CSF + AMD3100 + FG-4497, long-term SD G-CSF + ML141, long-term SD G-CSF + desipramine, AMD3100 + meloxicam, long-term SD G-CSF + reboxetine, AMD3100 + VPC01091, long-term SD G-CSF + FG-4497, Me6, long-term SD G-CSF + EP80031, POL5551, long-term SD G-CSF + AMD3100, AMD1300 + EP80031 and long-term LD G-CSF + meloxicam significantly increased the collections of total CFCs. G-CSF + Me6 ranked first among these regimens in consideration of the number of harvested CFCs/ml PB (MD 2168.0, 95% CrI 2062.0−2272.0). In addition, 7 regimens including long-term SD G-CSF + AMD3100, AMD3100 + EP80031, long-term SD G-CSF + EP80031, short-term SD G-CSF + AMD3100 + IL-33, long-term SD G-CSF + ML141, short-term LD G-CSF + ARL67156, and long-term LD G-CSF + meloxicam significantly increased the collections of LSK cells compared with G-CSF alone. Long-term SD G-CSF + AMD3100 ranked first among these regimens in consideration of the number of harvested LSK cells/ml PB (MD 2577.0, 95% CrI 2422.0–2733.0). Conclusions Considering the number of CFC and LSK cells in PB as outcomes, G-CSF plus AMD3100, Me6, EP80031, ML141, FG-4497, IL-33, ARL67156, meloxicam, desipramine, and reboxetine are all promising mobilizing regimens for future investigation.

scholarly journals Maintenance of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Through Regulation of Wnt and mTOR Pathways.

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 2309-2309
Author(s):  
Jian Huang ◽  
Peter S. Klein
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mtor Inhibition ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract Abstract 2309 Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into all lineages of the blood. The signaling pathways regulating hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) self-renewal and differentiation are not well understood. We are very interested in understanding the roles of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (Gsk3) and the signaling pathways regulated by Gsk3 in HSCs. In our previous study (Journal of Clinical Investigation, December 2009) using loss of function approaches (inhibitors, RNAi, and knockout) in mice, we found that Gsk3 plays a pivotal role in controlling the decision between self-renewal and differentiation of HSCs. Disruption of Gsk3 in bone marrow transiently expands HSCs in a b-catenin dependent manner, consistent with a role for Wnt signaling. However, in long-term repopulation assays, disruption of Gsk3 progressively depletes HSCs through activation of mTOR. This long-term HSC depletion is prevented by mTOR inhibition and exacerbated by b-catenin knockout. Thus GSK3 regulates both Wnt and mTOR signaling in HSCs, with opposing effects on HSC self-renewal such that inhibition of Gsk3 in the presence of rapamycin expands the HSC pool in vivo. In the current study, we found that suppression of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, an established nutrient sensor, combined with activation of canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, allows the ex vivo maintenance of human and mouse long-term HSCs under cytokine-free conditions. We also show that combining two clinically approved medications that activate Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and inhibit mTOR increases the number of long-term HSCs in vivo. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Interleukin-3 supports expansion of long-term multilineage repopulating activity after multiple stem cell divisions in vitro

Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1748-1755 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bryder ◽  
Sten E. W. Jacobsen
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cell Divisions ◽  
Stem Cell Divisions

Abstract Although long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) can self-renew and expand extensively in vivo, most efforts at expanding HSC in vitro have proved unsuccessful and have frequently resulted in compromised rather than improved HSC grafts. This has triggered the search for the optimal combination of cytokines for HSC expansion. Through such studies, c-kit ligand (KL), flt3 ligand (FL), thrombopoietin, and IL-11 have emerged as likely positive regulators of HSC self-renewal. In contrast, numerous studies have implicated a unique and potent negative regulatory role of IL-3, suggesting perhaps distinct regulation of HSC fate by different cytokines. However, the interpretations of these findings are complicated by the fact that different cytokines might target distinct subpopulations within the HSC compartment and by the lack of evidence for HSC undergoing self-renewal. Here, in the presence of KL+FL+megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF), which recruits virtually all Lin−Sca-1+kit+ bone marrow cells into proliferation and promotes their self-renewal under serum-free conditions, IL-3 and IL-11 revealed an indistinguishable ability to further enhance proliferation. Surprisingly, and similar to IL-11, IL-3 supported KL+FL+MGDF-induced expansion of multilineage, long-term reconstituting activity in primary and secondary recipients. Furthermore, high-resolution cell division tracking demonstrated that all HSC underwent a minimum of 5 cell divisions, suggesting that long-term repopulating HSC are not compromised by IL-3 stimulation after multiple cell divisions. In striking contrast, the ex vivo expansion of murine HSC in fetal calf serum-containing medium resulted in extensive loss of reconstituting activity, an effect further facilitated by the presence of IL-3.

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