Project description:RUNX1 is crucial for multiple stages of hematopoiesis and its mutation can cause familial platelet disorder with predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia (FPD/AML). We aim to study the role of RUNX1 in megakaryocyte-biased HSCs differentiation to megakaryocytes.
Project description:RUNX1 is crucial for multiple stages of hematopoiesis and its mutation can cause familial platelet disorder with predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia (FPD/AML). We aim to study the role of RUNX1 in megakaryocyte-biased HSCs differentiation to megakaryocytes. Here, by using Runx1F/FMx1-Cre mouse model, we sorted CD41pos HSCs and CD41neg HSCs in both RUNX1 WT and KO, and compared their gene expression profiles.
Project description:RUNX1 is crucial for multiple stages of hematopoiesis and its mutation can cause familial platelet disorder with predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia (FPD/AML). We aim to study the role of RUNX1 in megakaryocyte-biased HSCs differentiation to megakaryocytes.
Project description:RUNX1 is crucial for multiple stages of hematopoiesis and its mutation can cause familial platelet disorder with predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia (FPD/AML). We aim to study the role of RUNX1 in megakaryocyte-biased HSCs differentiation to megakaryocytes. Here, by using Runx1F/FMx1-Cre mouse model ,we sorted CD41pos HSCs and CD41neg HSCs in both RUNX1 WT and KO, and tested the RUNX1 direct binding targets in these cells genome.
Project description:As a transcription factor in the RUNT domain core-binding factor family, RUNX1 is crucial in multiple stages of hematopoiesis, and its mutation can cause familial platelet disorder with a predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia. Previous work has established that RUNX1 is involved in the maturation of megakaryocytes (MKs) and the production of platelets. Recent studies have shown that there exists a subpopulation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with relatively high expression of von Willebrand factor and CD41 at the apex of the HSC hierarchy, termed MK-HSCs, which can give rise to MKs without going through the traditional differentiation trajectory from HSC via MPP (multipotent progenitors) and MEP (megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor). Here, by using Runx1F/FMx1-Cre mouse model, we discovered that the MK-HSC to MK direct differentiation can occur within 1 cell division, and RUNX1 is an important regulator in the process. Runx1 knockout results in a drastic decrease in platelet counts and a severe defect in the differentiation from MK-HSCs to MKs. Single cell RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis shows that MK-HSCs have a distinct gene expression signature compared with non-MK-HSCs, and Runx1 deletion alters the platelet and MK-related gene expression in MK-HSCs. Furthermore, bulk RNAseq and Cut&Run analyses show that RUNX1 binds to multiple essential MK or platelet developmental genes, such as Spi1, Selp, and Itga2b and regulates their expressions in MK-HSCs. Thus, by modulating the expression of MK-related genes, RUNX1 governs the direct differentiation from MK-HSCs to MKs and platelets.
Project description:The differentiation of primary human megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors (MEP) into megakaryocytic (Mk) or erythroid (E) progenitors is critical for maintaining the blood system, yet the mechanisms that regulate this fate specification remain unclear. Here, we analyzed RNA-seq data and found that RUNX1 is a key regulator of differential gene expression in MEP fate specification. Through viral transduction of primary MEP with RUNX1, we demonstrated that overexpression of RUNX1 promotes Mk over E specification, whereas pan-RUNX inhibition promotes E fate specification over Mk. We found that although the levels of total RUNX1 do not differ between MkP and ErP, MkP have higher levels of RUNX1 phosphorylated serine residues, and that serine/threonine phosphorylation of RUNX1 dramatically increases its effectiveness. We used human erythroleukemia (HEL) cell lines with expression of HA-tagged WT RUNX1, phosphomimetic (RUNX1-4D) and non-phosphorylatable (RUNX1-4A) mutants to model their effects on MEP. Although the chromatin association was not informative, the three forms of RUNX1 caused differential expression of 2,625 genes. Approximately 40% of these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed an increase with both RUNX1-WT and RUNX1-4D while another 40% showed a decrease with both RUNX1-WT and RUNX1-4D. We compared these DEGs with DEGs from primary human MEP, Mk progenitors (MkP), and E progenitors (ErP), and found that the genes upregulated by WT and RUNX1-4D in HEL cells overlapped significantly with the genes upregulated in MkP vs. MEP, whereas genes downregulated by WT and RUNX1-4D in HEL cells overlapped significantly with the genes downregulated in MkP vs. MEP. These results suggest that phosphorylation of RUNX1 enhances RUNX1’s function to activate or repress transcription of target genes that are up/downregulated during MEP fate specification.