A novel mechanism of cooperation between c-Kit and erythropoietin receptor. Stem cell factor induces the expression of Stat5 and erythropoietin receptor, resulting in efficient proliferation and survival by erythropoietin

Optimal production of red cells in vivo requires collaboration between c-Kit, erythropoietin receptor (Epo-R), and GATA-1. However, the mechanism(s) of collaboration remain unclear. Utilizing an embryonic stem cell-derived erythroid progenitor cell line from mice deficient in GATA-1, we have examined the role of c-Kit and Epo-R in erythroid cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. In the absence of GATA-1, we demonstrate an essential role for c-Kit in survival and proliferation of erythroid progenitors via the regulation of Bcl-2 expression. In addition, we demonstrate that Epo-R and Stat5 are regulated by a second, novel mechanism. We demonstrate that c-Kit stimulation by stem cell factor is essential for the maintenance of Epo-R and Stat5 protein expression, which results in significantly enhanced Bcl-x(L) induction and survival of erythroid progenitors in response to Epo stimulation. Restoration of GATA-1 function results in terminal erythroid maturation and up-regulation of Epo-R and Bcl-x(L) expression, leading also to significantly enhanced survival of terminally differentiating erythroid progenitors in the presence of only Epo. These results demonstrate that c-Kit and Epo-R have unique role(s) during distinct phases of erythroid maturation, and both stem cell factor and Epo contribute to the regulation of the Epo-R-Stat5-Bcl-x(L) pathway to ensure optimal survival, proliferation, and differentiation of erythroid progenitors.

The importance of erythroid expansion in determining the extent of apoptosis in erythroid precursors in patients with beta-thalassemia major

Beta-thalassemia major is characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis leading to severe anemia and extensive erythroid expansion. The ineffective erythropoiesis is in part due to accelerated apoptosis of the thalassemic erythroid precursors; however, the extent of apoptosis is surprisingly variable. To understand this variability as well as the fact that some patients undergoing allogeneic marrow transplantation are resistant to the myeloablative program, we attempted more quantitative analyses. Two groups of patients totaling 44 were studied, along with 25 healthy controls, and 7 patients with hemolysis and/or ineffective erythropoeisis. By 2 flow cytometric methods, thalassemic erythroid precursors underwent apoptosis at a rate that was 3 to 4 times normal. Because thalassemic marrow has between 5- to 6-fold more erythroid precursors than healthy marrow, this translated into an absolute increase in erythroid precursor apoptosis of about 15-fold above our healthy controls. In searching for the causes of the variability in thalassemic erythroid precursor apoptosis, we discovered tight direct correlations between the relative and absolute extent of apoptosis and the extent of erythroid expansion as measured either by the absolute number of marrow erythroid precursors or by serum soluble transferrin receptor levels. These results could mean that the most extreme rates of erythroid proliferation lend themselves to cellular errors that turn on apoptotic programs. Alternatively, extreme rates of erythroid hyperplasia and apoptosis might be characteristic of more severely affected patients. Lastly, extreme erythroid hyperplasia could generate such numbers of apoptotic erythroid precursors that marrow macrophages are overwhelmed, leaving more apoptotic cells in the sample.

CaM kinase IV regulates lineage commitment and survival of erythroid progenitors in a non-cell-autonomous manner

Developmental functions of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaM KIV) have not been previously investigated. Here, we show that CaM KIV transcripts are widely distributed during embryogenesis and that strict regulation of CaM KIV activity is essential for normal primitive erythropoiesis. Xenopus embryos in which CaM KIV activity is either upregulated or inhibited show that hematopoietic precursors are properly specified, but few mature erythrocytes are generated. Distinct cellular defects underlie this loss of erythrocytes: inhibition of CaM KIV activity causes commitment of hematopoietic precursors to myeloid differentiation at the expense of erythroid differentiation, on the other hand, constitutive activation of CaM KIV induces erythroid precursors to undergo apoptotic cell death. These blood defects are observed even when CaM KIV activity is misregulated only in cells that do not contribute to the erythroid lineage. Thus, proper regulation of CaM KIV activity in nonhematopoietic tissues is essential for the generation of extrinsic signals that enable hematopoietic stem cell commitment to erythroid differentiation and that support the survival of erythroid precursors.

Primitive haematopoietic progenitors in the blood of patients with sickle cell disease appear to be endogenously mobilized

To investigate whether haematopoietic stem cells in patients with sickle cell (SS) disease might be altered, we examined the number and cycling status of 5-week long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-ICs) and in vitro multilineage colony-forming cells (CFCs) present in the blood of a large and clinically diverse group of SS patients. The concentrations of both of these cell types per ml of blood varied over a wide range in individual patients, but, on average, were significantly elevated above normal values ( approximately sevenfold and 15-fold respectively) and to an even greater extent than the lineage-restricted CFCs in the same samples. Wide variations in the concentration of circulating progenitors, particularly the LTC-ICs, were also seen over time (in concert with changes in the white blood cell count) in SS patients. [3H]-Thymidine suicide assays showed most of the CFCs and LTC-ICs in SS blood to be quiescent like their counterparts in normal blood. However, by comparison with historical data, the SS progenitors could be recruited into the cycle more quickly (i.e. within 2 vs. 3 d), thus showing the same kinetics of activation exhibited by 'mobilized' progenitors from patients given chemotherapy and exogenous growth factors. Taken together, these findings implicate previously documented increases in endogenous Steel factor, interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor levels in SS patients in the establishment of a chronically mobilized progenitor phenotype.

Disruption of the homeobox gene Hoxb-6 in mice results in increased numbers of early erythrocyte progenitors

Hox genes encode transcription factors that are required for proper development of certain tissues and for patterning of the hindbrain, the limbs, and skeleton. They are also expressed in the hematopoietic system with a preference for specific cell lineages. To determine the role of Hoxb-6 in normal hematopoiesis, mice with a targeted disruption in the Hoxb-6 gene were generated. Mature hematopoietic cell types and immune responses are normal in homozygous Hoxb-6 mutants. Clonogenic progenitor cell assays demonstrate an increased number of early erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow and fetal liver of mutants, while differentiation of other cell lineages is unaffected. These results suggest that Hoxb-6 controls the generation, proliferation, or survival of erythroid progenitor cells.

Enhancement of proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitors by co-transduction of erythropoietin receptor and H-ras cDNAS into single CD34(3+) cord blood cells

Our previous studies have demonstrated that retrovirus-mediated gene transduction of either the human erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) or H-ras cDNA into single purified hematopoietic progenitor (HPC), CD34(3+), cells from cord blood (CB) resulted in increased numbers and sizes of erythroid cell containing colonies. We therefore evaluated if there were further effects when H-ras and EpoR genes were co-transduced into the same progenitor cells. Highly purified single sorted CD34(3+) CB cells were transduced with retroviral vectors encoding EpoR or H-ras cDNA. At the single cell level, and in response to stimulation by a combination of growth factors, including Epo, the number of colonies formed by BFU-E and CFU-GEMM was significantly increased in cells transduced with either single H-ras or EpoR cDNA compared to mock virus-transduced cells as previously described. Increased numbers of BFU-E, but not CFU-GEMM, colonies were produced from cells simultaneously co-transduced with both EpoR and Hras genes. Little or no growth was seen in transduced cells without exogenously added cytokines. The size of all types of colonies including CFU-GM was increased in cells transduced with H-ras and/or EpoR cDNAs, and the greatest increase was noticed in cells co-transduced with both genes. Integration and expression of either gene in individual colonies as assessed by PCR and RT-PCR analysis were 45-62% and 48-58%, respectively, with approximately 31% of the cells containing and expressing both genes. These results add to information suggesting an enhancing interacting role of H-ras and EpoR in erythroid proliferation/differentiation.

Generation and characterization of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against erythroid cell stimulating factor

Erythroid cell stimulating factor (ESF) is present in mouse serum and has been reported to function in concert with erythropoietin (EPO) in the formation of erythroid cells in in vitro culture systems. We report here the generation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (MAb) directed against ESF, with potent anti-ESF-neutralizing activity. A hybridoma-producing MAb to ESF was selected following enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based screening of 270 colonies obtained from a fusion of immunized mouse splenocytes with NS1 myeloma cells. Western blot analyses of mouse serum using this antibody specifically detected a single protein (approximate molecular weight of 60 kDa and 120 kDa, under reducing and nonreducing conditions, respectively) corresponding to ESF, with no reactivity to EPO. Furthermore, this MAb demonstrated reactivity to a protein similar in molecular mass, across species, showing reactivity in sera obtained from human, horse, goat, guinea pig, rabbit, and rat. Immuno-chemical characterization demonstrated this antibody to be of IgG3 isotype, bearing kappa light chains. Injection of this monoclonal anti-ESF antibody to exhypoxic polycythemic mice at 6 and 24 h after EPO injection significantly reduced 59Fe incorporation into red blood cells, demonstrating its ability to neutralize in vivo erythropoiesis in our mouse model system. Thus, this novel erythroid cell-specific MAb will be an invaluable tool for further delineating the physiological role of ESF in in vivo erythropoiesis.

Erythropoietin: multiple physiological functions and regulation of biosynthesis

Erythropoietin (Epo), which is produced by the kidney in the adult and by the liver in the fetus, increases red blood cells by supporting the survival of erythroid progenitor cells and stimulating their differentiation and proliferation via binding to Epo receptor (EpoR). The main signal in the control of Epo production is oxygen; hypoxia stimulates Epo production through activation of Epo gene transcription. Tremendous progress in our understanding of molecular mechanisms of Epo action on erythroid cells and regulation of the Epo production has been made by manipulation of cDNAs and genes of Epo and EpoR. Studies on hypoxic induction of Epo gene transcription led to the identification of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1), a transcriptional factor, that functions as a global regulator of hypoxic gene expression. Paracrine Epo/EpoR systems that are independent of the endocrine erythropoietic system (kidney/bone marrow) have been found in the central nervous system and uterus. Novel functions of Epo at these local sites and tissue-specific regulation of Epo production including a newly found potent regulator (estrogen) have been proposed. The tissue-specific regulation rationalizes the specific functions of Epo produced by individual tissues.

Donor leukocyte infusion--the effect of mutual reactivity of donor's and recipient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells on hematopoietic progenitor cells growth

Donor leukocyte infusions are an effective therapy for patients who relapse with leukemia after bone marrow transplantation. We report the case of 14-year-old boy who relapsed 34 months after sibling donor bone marrow transplant for Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Subsequently, he received three infusions of donor mononuclear cells (DMNC) harvested in steady state hematopoiesis and one G-CSF mobilized-peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) infusion. Simultaneously, test named as--"Test of Mixed Progenitors" (TMP) was performed for the assessment whether the outcome of donor leukocyte infusion treatment could be predicted. Prior to DMNC infusions, the CFU-GM and BFU-E colony assays were performed for donor's and recipient's PBMC individually, as well as for the mixture of these cells at 1:1 ratio. The cells were plated either directly in the semisolid medium or after 24 h preincubation treatment. Significantly lower values for CFU-GM derived colonies were determined in TMP in comparison to the CFU-GM values obtained for the recipient's cells. The reduced number of CFU-GM was determined both in TMP performed without preincubation treatment, app. 80% and after the 24 h preincubation, app. 55%. The reduced number of BFU-E derived colonies (app. 44%) was observed only related to recipient's cells and after the preincubation treatment of the cells. The patient did not develop GVHD and currently (40 months after the first infusion). He remained well in complete hematological, cytogenetic, molecular and clinical remission, which was the most direct evidence of the GVL effect. The novel in vitro TMP test in which the specific contribution of donor's leukocytes to the growth of recipient's hematopoietic precursor cell growth was determined, correlated with the clinical outcome.

An intrinsic but cell-nonautonomous defect in GATA-1-overexpressing mouse erythroid cells

GATA-1 is a tissue-specific transcription factor that is essential for the production of red blood cells. Here we show that overexpression of GATA-1 in erythroid cells inhibits their differentiation, leading to a lethal anaemia. Using chromosome-X-inactivation of a GATA-1 transgene and chimaeric animals, we show that this defect is intrinsic to erythroid cells, but nevertheless cell nonautonomous. Usually, cell nonautonomy is thought to reflect aberrant gene function in cells other than those that exhibit the phenotype. On the basis of our data, we propose an alternative mechanism in which a signal originating from wild-type erythroid cells restores normal differentiation to cells overexpressing GATA-1 in vivo. The existence of such a signalling mechanism indicates that previous interpretations of cell-nonautonomous defects may be erroneous in some cases and may in fact assign gene function to incorrect cell types.

Long-distance control of origin choice and replication timing in the human beta-globin locus are independent of the locus control region

DNA replication in the human beta-globin locus is subject to long-distance regulation. In murine and human erythroid cells, the human locus replicates in early S phase from a bidirectional origin located near the beta-globin gene. This Hispanic thalassemia deletion removes regulatory sequences located over 52 kb from the origin, resulting in replication of the locus from a different origin, a shift in replication timing to late S phase, adoption of a closed chromatin conformation, and silencing of globin gene expression in murine erythroid cells. The sequences deleted include nuclease-hypersensitive sites 2 to 5 (5'HS2-5) of the locus control region (LCR) plus an additional 27-kb upstream region. We tested a targeted deletion of 5'HS2-5 in the normal chromosomal context of the human beta-globin locus to determine the role of these elements in replication origin choice and replication timing. We demonstrate that the 5'HS2-5-deleted locus initiates replication at the appropriate origin and with normal timing in murine erythroid cells, and therefore we conclude that 5'HS2-5 in the classically defined LCR do not control replication in the human beta-globin locus. Recent studies also show that targeted deletion of 5'HS2-5 results in a locus that lacks globin gene expression yet retains an open chromatin conformation. Thus, the replication timing of the locus is closely correlated with nuclease sensitivity but not globin gene expression.

Splenic lymphoma presenting as warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with pure red cell aplasia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a condition in which peripheral red blood cell (RBC) destruction is induced by the presence of an autoantibody. Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) represents an isolated process of decreased erythropoiesis. The combination of both is quite rare, with a very poor prognosis. We describe a patient with isolated splenic lymphoma whose presentation was a combination of AIHA and PRCA. The patient was resistant to all treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Erythroid colony assays were performed, in order to compare the effect of the patient's serum on colonies with that of a normal control.

RESULTS

The patient's serum significantly suppressed normal erythroid colony growth. A red cell eluate revealed the presence of a warm autoantibody.

CONCLUSIONS

The patient's serum contained warm autoantibody responsible for peripheral RBC destruction and a humoral factor, perhaps the warm autoantibody, which suppressed bone marrow erythropoiesis. Establishing an early diagnosis, and treatment of the underlying disease might result in a better prognosis.

Signal transduction in primary cultured human erythroid cells

Development of erythrocytes is a complex process governed by multiple cytokines. Colony assays have revealed the physiologic importance of these cytokines, although biochemical studies of highly purified human colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) generated in vitro from CD34+ cells have only recently begun. Studies from our groups and others suggested that signal transduction in primary erythroid cells differs considerably from that in cell lines or primary cells from other species. In this review, we summarize results of these studies with emphasis on possible implications for hematotherapy.

Stem cell factor and erythropoietin inhibit apoptosis of human erythroid progenitor cells through different signalling pathways

Erythropoietin (EPO) and stem cell factor (SCF) are two important factors in human erythropoiesis. We have recently demonstrated that SCF and EPO synergistically activate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, thereby promoting growth of human erythroid colony-forming cells (ECFCs). In the present study, we have examined the intracellular mechanisms by which SCF and EPO maintain survival of these cells. In the absence of SCF and EPO, human ECFCs underwent rapid apoptosis. The process was significantly inhibited by addition of a single factor and was totally prevented in the presence of both factors. Treatment of ECFCs with wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), inhibited the antiapoptotic effect of SCF but had no effect on that of EPO, indicating that SCF but not EPO inhibits apoptosis through the PI3K pathway. In contrast, treatment of ECFCs with PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MAP kinase/ERK kinase (MEK), inhibited cell growth but had no effect on the antiapoptotic activity of either SCF or EPO, suggesting that SCF and EPO prevent apoptosis of human ECFCs independent of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Interestingly, both EPO and SCF induced activation of PI3K. However, through PI3K, SCF caused activation of protein kinase B (PKB), an anti-apoptosis signal, whereas EPO led to activation of ERKs. Furthermore, the SCF- and EPO-maintained expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-XL was correlated with the activation of ERKs and was inhibited by PD98059, suggesting that Bcl-XL may not have a major role in preventing apoptosis of human ECFCs. Phosphorylated BAD was not affected by SCF, EPO or wortmannin. Taken together with our previous results, the present study indicates that SCF and EPO support survival and growth of human ECFCs through different signalling pathways and that they transduce distinctly different signals through activation of PI3K.

Analysis of ferrochelatase expression during hematopoietic development of embryonic stem cells

Ferrochelatase, the last enzyme in the heme pathway, chelates protoporphyrin IX and iron to form heme and is mutated in protoporphyria. The ferrochelatase gene is expressed in all tissues at low levels to provide heme for essential heme-containing proteins and is up-regulated during erythropoiesis for the synthesis of hemoglobin. The human ferrochelatase promoter contains 2 Sp1 cis-elements and GATA and NF-E2 sites, all of which bind their cognate trans-acting factors in vitro. To investigate the role of these elements during erythropoiesis, we introduced expression of the green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenes driven by various ferrochelatase promoter fragments into a single locus in mouse embryonic stem cells. EGFP expression was monitored during hematopoietic differentiation in vitro using flow cytometry. We show that a promoter fragment containing the Sp1 sites, the NF-E2 and GATA elements, was sufficient to confer developmental-specific expression of the EGFP transgene, with an expression profile identical to that of the endogenous gene. In this system the -0.275 kb NF-E2 cis-element is required for erythroid-enhanced expression, the GATA cis-element functions as a stage-specific repressor and enhancer, and elements located between -0.375kb and -1.1kb are necessary for optimal levels of expression. Ferrochelatase mRNA increased before the primitive erythroid-cell stage without a concomitant increase in ferrochelatase protein, suggesting the presence of a translational control mechanism. Because of the sensitivity of this system, we were able to assess the effect of an A-to-G polymorphism identified in the promoters of patients with protoporphyria. There was no effect of the G haplotype on transcriptional activity of the -1.1 kb transgene.

[Molecular and cellular mechanisms of erythropoiesis regulation]

The paper presents the results of recent studies of the molecular and cell-cellular mechanisms of physiological regulation of the differentiation and proliferation of erythroid cell precursors and the reproduction of erythropoietin in the kidneys, hormone-sensitive cell reception, the mechanisms of transduction of an erythropoietic signal from the receptor of a cell to its genome, the mechanisms of erythropoietic cell-cellular interactions in the bone marrow.

Erythroid cell development and leukemic transformation: interplay between signal transduction, cell cycle control and oncogenes

Studies using genetically modified mice and ex vivo tissue culture of erythroid progenitors converge to show that generation of mature erythroid cells depends on the interplay between specific transcriptional regulators and intracellular signals controlled by cytokines and growth factors. These studies also show that terminal differentiation in the erythroid lineage is unusual since the acquisition of the phenotypic traits of mature cells occurs while the cells are still actively dividing. Furthermore, under specific stress conditions, a massive and sustained self-renewal of committed erythroid progenitors can take place to replenish the pool of terminally differentiated cells. We review here how the erythroid genetic program and its interplay with specific cytokines, growth factors and hormones controls survival, proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitors both in normal and stress conditions. Special emphasis is laid on our present understanding of the differences in cell cycle control, which result either in self-renewal of erythroid progenitors or in the particular cell divisions which accompany terminal differentiation. Finally, we discuss how deregulation of the various aspects of the physiological control of erythroid progenitor survival, proliferation and differentiation can lead to erythroblast transformation and erythroleukemia.

Unraveling distinct intracellular signals that promote survival and proliferation: study of erythropoietin, stem cell factor, and constitutive signaling in leukemic cells

This review summarizes selected recent studies of the intracellular signals that allow erythroid cells to survive and proliferate under the control of erythropoietin (EPO) and alteration in signals that contribute to EPO-independent survival and proliferation. The hypothesis explored is that the proliferation and survival signals are distinct and can be separately studied with the proper cell lines and growth factor stimulation. The anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins Bcl-XL and BAD are highly implicated in EPO-dependent survival of erythroid cells. Stat5 activity appears to be upstream of Bcl-XL expression such that pathologic, constitutive activation of Stat5 may be a common event in leukemic cells that become resistant to apoptosis by constitutive expression of Bcl-XL. Other signals apparently also control the expression of Bcl-XL, such as the expression of JunB which seem to be required to suppress Bcl-XL expression when EPO is withdrawn. Apoptosis may also be triggered by inactivation of Bcl-XL by BAD. Dephosphorylation of BAD as a result of withdrawal of survival factors converts prosurvival BAD to proapoptotic BAD. Phosphorylation of BAD at the serine 112 residue seems critical to promoting survival. Constitutive activation of a kinase that phosphorylates BAD serine 112 may, therefore, contribute to resistance to apoptosis in leukemic cells. We describe the resistance of erythroleukemic cells to apoptosis induced by EPO withdrawal apparently caused by constitutive BAD phosphorylation. The resistance to apoptosis in these cells is reversed by treatment with the PI3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002, suggesting that resistance to apoptosis in these cells likely results from constitutive P13-kinase that is an upstream activator of an S-112 BAD kinase. The MAP kinase cascade is apparently active in EPO-dependent and stem cell factor (SCF)-dependent proliferation but not survival. In addition, autocrine tumor necrosis factor-a! (TNF-alpha) may also be a proliferation factor not affecting survival. P13-kinase seems to be required for full EPO-dependent proliferation but is not required for EPO-dependent survival (but it can promote survival when activated).

Inhibitory interaction of c-Myb and GATA-1 via transcriptional co-activator CBP

Gene targeting experiments have revealed that transcription factors such as c-Myb and GATA-1 play crucial roles during hematopoietic differentiation. c-Myb is necessary in the immature cells of almost every hematopoietic lineage and GATA-1 is essential for the development of the erythroid lineage. In addition, CREB-binding protein (CBP) acts as a transcriptional adapter for various transcription factors, including c-Myb and GATA-1. In this paper, we show that the transcription factors c-Myb and GATA-1 each inhibit the transcriptional activity of the other and that any possible bipartite complexes c-Myb, GATA-1, and CBP could be formed, but the tripartite complex was hardly formed. The exclusive binding of GATA-1 and c-Myb to CBP is probably the molecular basis for the mutual inhibition of their transcriptional activity. Our data suggest that cross-talk between these three factors might be important for hematopoietic differentiation and that CBP functions as a key molecule during the process.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1-induced hematopoietic inhibition is independent of productive infection of progenitor cells in vivo

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals exhibit a variety of hematopoietic dysfunctions. The SCID-hu mouse (severe combined immunodeficient mouse transplanted with human fetal thymus and liver tissues) can be used to model the loss of human hematopoietic precursor cell function following HIV infection and has a distinct advantage in that data can be obtained in the absence of confounding factors often seen in infected humans. In this study, we establish that HIV type 1 (HIV-1) bearing a reporter gene inserted into the viral vpr gene is highly aggressive in depleting human myeloid and erythroid colony-forming precursor activity in vivo. Human CD34(+) progenitor cells can be efficiently recovered from infected implants yet do not express the viral reporter gene, despite severe functional defects. Our results indicate that HIV-1 infection alone leads to hematopoietic inhibition in vivo; however, this effect is due to indirect mechanisms rather than to direct infection of CD34(+) cells in vivo.

The orderly allocation of mesodermal cells to the extraembryonic structures and the anteroposterior axis during gastrulation of the mouse embryo

The prospective fate of cells in the primitive streak was examined at early, mid and late stages of mouse gastrula development to determine the order of allocation of primitive streak cells to the mesoderm of the extraembryonic membranes and to the fetal tissues. At the early-streak stage, primitive streak cells contribute predominantly to tissues of the extraembryonic mesoderm as previously found. However, a surprising observation is that the erythropoietic precursors of the yolk sac emerge earlier than the bulk of the vitelline endothelium, which is formed continuously throughout gastrula development. This may suggest that the erythropoietic and the endothelial cell lineages may arise independently of one another. Furthermore, the extraembryonic mesoderm that is localized to the anterior and chorionic side of the yolk sac is recruited ahead of that destined for the posterior and amnionic side. For the mesodermal derivatives in the embryo, those destined for the rostral structures such as heart and forebrain mesoderm ingress through the primitive streak early during a narrow window of development. They are then followed by those for the rest of the cranial mesoderm and lastly the paraxial and lateral mesoderm of the trunk. Results of this study, which represent snapshots of the types of precursor cells in the primitive streak, have provided a better delineation of the timing of allocation of the various mesodermal lineages to specific compartments in the extraembryonic membranes and different locations in the embryonic anteroposterior axis.

[The role of protein kinases and phosphatases in erythroid colony formation of elderly]

Using H-7, HA1001, FK506, cyclosporin A (CsA) and okadaic acid (OA), which are protein kinase and phosphatase inhibitors, we examined qualitative changes in hematopoietic precursor cells due to aging from the viewpoint of the role of protein kinases and phosphatases. Though H-7 and OA suppressed erythroid colony formation both in the elderly (age: 72-92, median: 86) and the young (age: 22-39, median: 29), no change due to aging was noted. HA1001 did not affect erythroid colony formation either in the elderly or the young. Erythroid colony formation was enhanced by FK506 and CsA in the young, however, erythroid colony formation was suppressed in the elderly. Similar examinations using cell fractions of non-T, non-macrophage, non-T + T, and CD34 positive cells were performed in both groups. Enhancement of erythroid colony formation in the young and suppression in the elderly by FK506 using unseparated MNC disappeared after removal of T cells. Enhancement of colony formation in the young and suppression of colony formation in the elderly were recovered when T cells were added again. The effects of FK506 and CsA on erythroid colony formation were thought to be the results of T cell inactivation, and the different sensitivity to FK506 and CsA in the elderly and young seemed to be the result of changes in the control mechanisms of hematopoiesis, such as the regulation of cytokine production by T cells, caused by aging.

Retroviral-mediated gene transduction of c-kit into single hematopoietic progenitor cells from cord blood enhances erythroid colony formation and decreases sensitivity to inhibition by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta1

The c-kit receptor and its ligand, steel factor (SLF), are critical for optimal hematopoiesis. We evaluated effects of transducing cord blood (CB) progenitor cells with a retrovirus encoding human c-kit cDNA. CD34(+) cells were sorted as a population or as 1 cell/well for cells expressing high levels of CD34 and different levels of c-kit (++,+,Lo/-), transduced and then cultured in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-6, erythropoietin (Epo) +/- SLF in the absence of serum. At a single-cell level, transduction with c-kit, but not with control (neo only), virus significantly increased colony formation, especially by erythroid and multipotential progenitors. The enhancing effect of c-kit transduction was inversely correlated with expression of c-kit protein before transduction. The greatest enhancing effects were noted in CD34KitLo+/- cells transduced with c-kit. The stimulating effect was apparent even in the absence of exogenously added SLF, but in the presence of GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-6, and Epo. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of SLF protein, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of SLF mRNA expression in CD34+ cells, and use of neutralizing antibodies to SLF and/or c-kit suggested the presence of endogenous, although probably very low level, expression of SLF by these progenitor cells. Transduction of c-kit significantly decreased sensitivity of progenitor cells to the inhibitory effects of transforming growth factor-beta1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. c-kit-transduced cells had increased expression of c-kit protein and decreased spontaneous or cytokine-induced apoptosis. Our results suggest that transduced c-kit into selected progenitor cells can enhance proliferation and decrease apoptosis and that endogenous SLF may mediate this effect.

Erythropoietin receptor mutations associated with familial erythrocytosis cause hypersensitivity to erythropoietin in the heterozygous state

Inherited mutations in the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) causing premature termination of the receptor cytoplasmic region are associated with dominant familial erythrocytosis (FE), a benign clinical condition characterized by hypersensitivity of erythroid progenitor cells to EPO and low serum EPO (S-EPO) levels. We describe a Swedish family with dominant FE in which erythrocytosis segregates with a new truncation in the negative control domain of the EPOR. We show that cells engineered to concomitantly express the wild-type (WT) EPOR and mutant EPORs associated with FE (FE EPORs) are hypersensitive to EPO-stimulated proliferation and activation of Jak2 and Stat5. These results demonstrate that FE is caused by hyperresponsiveness of receptor-mediated signaling pathways and that this is dominant with respect to WT EPOR signaling.