Project description:Several individual miRNAs (miRs) have been implicated as potent regulators of important processes during normal and malignant hematopoiesis. In addition, many miRs have been shown to fine-tune intricate molecular networks, in concert with other regulatory elements. In order to study hematopoietic networks as a whole, we first created a comprehensive map of global miR expression during early murine hematopoiesis. Next, we determined the copy number per cell for each miR in each of the examined stem and progenitor cell types. As data is emerging indicating that miRs function robustly mainly when they are expressed above a certain threshold (~100 copies per cell), our database provides a resource for determining which miRs are expressed at a potentially functional level in each cell type. Finally, we combine our miR expression map with matched mRNA expression data and external prediction algorithms, using a Bayesian modeling approach to create a global landscape of predicted miR-mRNA interactions within each of these hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell subsets. This approach identifies several interaction networks comprising a “stemness” signature in the most primitive hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) populations, as well as “myeloid” patterns associated with two branches of myeloid development. Six populations of mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitors have been analyzed (LT-HSC, ST-HSC, MPP, CMP, GMP, MEP). 2-3 replicates are included for each sample.
Project description:Several individual miRNAs (miRs) have been implicated as potent regulators of important processes during normal and malignant hematopoiesis. In addition, many miRs have been shown to fine-tune intricate molecular networks, in concert with other regulatory elements. In order to study hematopoietic networks as a whole, we first created a comprehensive map of global miR expression during early murine hematopoiesis. Next, we determined the copy number per cell for each miR in each of the examined stem and progenitor cell types. As data is emerging indicating that miRs function robustly mainly when they are expressed above a certain threshold (~100 copies per cell), our database provides a resource for determining which miRs are expressed at a potentially functional level in each cell type. Finally, we combine our miR expression map with matched mRNA expression data and external prediction algorithms, using a Bayesian modeling approach to create a global landscape of predicted miR-mRNA interactions within each of these hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell subsets. This approach identifies several interaction networks comprising a “stemness” signature in the most primitive hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) populations, as well as “myeloid” patterns associated with two branches of myeloid development. Six populations of mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitors have been analyzed (LT-HSC, ST-HSC, MPP, CMP, GMP, MEP). 2-3 replicates are included for each sample.
Project description:MicroRNAs influence hematopoietic differentiation, but little is known about their effects on the stem cell state. Here, we report that the microRNA processing enzyme Dicer is essential for stem cell persistence in vivo and a specific microRNA, miR-125a controls the size of the stem cell population by regulating stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) apoptosis. Conditional deletion of Dicer revealed an absolute dependence for the multipotent HSPC population in a cell autonomous manner, with increased HSPC apoptosis in mutant animals. An evolutionarily conserved microRNA cluster containing miR-99b, let-7e and miR-125a was preferentially expressed in long term HSCs. miR-125a alone was capable of increasing the number of hematopoietic stem cells in vivo by more than eight fold. This was accomplished through a differentiation stage-specific reduction of apoptosis in immature hematopoietic progenitors, possibly through targeting multiple pro-apoptotic genes. Bak1 was directly down-regulated by miR-125a and expression of a 3’UTR-less Bak1 blocked miR-125a-induced hematopoietic expansion in vivo. These data demonstrate cell-state-specific regulation by microRNA and identify a unique microRNA functioning to regulate the stem cell pool size. Bone marrow populations were FACS-sorted and profiled using a bead-based profiling platform. Long-term HSCs, short-term HSCs, multipotent progenitors, Lin-Kit+Sca+ cells, Lin-Kit+Sca- cells, Lin-Kit-Sca+ cells, Lin- cells and unfractionated whole bone marrow cells were prepared for total RNA using TriZol (Invitrogen) in replicates. For rare populations, cells from multiple mice were pooled. To perform microRNA profiling, 60 ng of total RNA were used for each sample.
Project description:Gene expression profiling from fine purified hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells of WT or miR-29a deletion. This anlaysis identified the up- and down-regulated genes from miR-29a deletion, and suggest that cell cycle regulators are significantly changed. The results demonstrate that the HSC lacking of miR-29a appeared as committed progentiors from their gene expression patterns. Cells are sorted into hematopoietic stem cells (HSC, Lin-c-Kit+Sca-1+Slam1+CD34-) and committed progenitor cells (Prog, Lin-c-kit+Sca-1-) with > 90% purity using FACS AriaII machine.
Project description:The hematopoietic system is maintained throughout life by hematopoietic stem cells that are capable of differentiation to all hematopoietic lineages. An intimate balance between self-renewal, differentiation, and quiescence is required to maintain hematopoiesis. Disruption of this balance can result in hematopoietic malignancy, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). FBXO9, from the F-box ubiquitin E3 ligases, is down-regulated in patients with AML compared to normal bone marrow. FBXO9 is a substrate recognition component of the Skp1-Cullin-F-box (SCF)-type E3 ligase complex. FBXO9 is highly expressed in hematopoietic stem and progenitor populations, which contain the tumor-initiating population in AML. In AML patients, decrease in FBXO9 expression is most pronounced in patients with the inversion of chromosome 16 (Inv(16)), a rearrangement that generates the transcription factor fusion gene, CBFB-MYH11. To study FBXO9 in malignant hematopoiesis, we generated a conditional knockout mouse model using a novel CRISPR/Cas9 strategy. Our data shows that deletion of Fbxo9 in mice expressing Cbfb-MYH11 leads to markedly accelerated and aggressive leukemia development. In addition, we find loss of FBXO9 leads to increased proteasome expression and tumors are more sensitive to bortezomib suggesting that FBXO9 expression may predict patient response to bortezomib treatment.
Project description:Hematopoietic cell fate decisions such as self-renewal and differentiation are highly regulated through multiple molecular pathways. One pathway, the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), controls protein levels by tagging them with polyubiquitin chains and promoting their degradation through the proteasome. Ubiquitin E3 ligases serve as the substrate-recognition component of the UPS. Through investigating the FBOX family of E3 ligases, we discovered that Fbxo21 was highly expressed in the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) population, and showed low to no expression in mature myeloid populations. To determine the role of FBXO21 on HSPC maintenance, self-renewal, and differentiation, we generated shRNAs against FBXO21 and a hematopoietic specific Fbxo21 conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model. We found that silencing FBXO21 in HSPCs led to a loss in colony formation and an increase in cell differentiation in vitro. Additionally, stressing the HSPC populations in our Fbxo21 cKO mouse with 5-FU injections resulted in a decrease in survival, despite these populations showing minimal alterations during steady-state hematopoiesis. Although FBXO21 has previously been proposed to regulate cytokine signaling via ASK and p38, our results show that depletion of FBXO21 led to altered ERK signaling in vitro. Together, these findings suggest ubiquitin E3 ligase FBXO21 regulates HSPCs through cytokine mediated pathways.
Project description:This is a mathematical model describing the hematopoietic lineages with leukemia lineages, as controlled by end-product negative feedback inhibition. Variables include hematopoietic stem cells, progenitor cells, terminally differentiated HSCs, leukemia stem cells, and terminally differentiated leukemia stem cells.
Project description:Comprehensive analysis of gene expression in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from young and old mice. Gene expression profiling of young and old mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by Gene Expression Commons system.