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Remarkably,apoptosis was induced by exposing peritoneal resident macrophages (PRM) of C3H mice,but not other strains of mice,to ionizing radiation. The molecular mechanism of this strain-specific apoptosis in PRM was studied. The apoptosis elicited in C3H mouse PRM 4 h after exposure was effectively blocked by proteasome inhibitors. Irradiation-induced disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol were also suppressed by a proteasome inhibitor but not by a caspase inhibitor. To determine whether the apoptosis occurred due to a depletion of antiapoptotic proteins,Bcl-2 family proteins were examined. Irradiation markedly decreased the level of Mcl-1,but not Bcl-2,Bcl-X(L),Bax,A1,or cIAP1. Mcl-1's depletion was suppressed by a proteasome inhibitor but not by a caspase inhibitor. The amount of Mcl-1 was well correlated with the rate of apoptosis in C3H mouse PRM exposed to irradiation and not affected by irradiation in radioresistant B6 mouse PRM. Irradiation increased rather than decreased the Mcl-1 mRNA expression in C3H mouse PRM. On the other hand,Mcl-1 protein synthesis was markedly suppressed by irradiation. Global protein synthesis was also suppressed by irradiation in C3H mouse PRM but not in B6 mouse PRM. The down-regulation of Mcl-1 expression with Mcl-1-specific small interfering RNA or antisense oligonucleotide significantly induced apoptosis in both C3H and B6 mouse PRM without irradiation. It was concluded that the apoptosis elicited in C3H mouse PRM by ionizing radiation was attributable to the depletion of Mcl-1 through radiation-induced arrest of global protein synthesis. View Publication

DYRKs are a new subfamily of dual-specificity kinases that was originally discovered on the basis of homology to Yak1,an inhibitor of cell cycle progression in yeast. At present,mDYRK-3 and mDYRK-2 have been cloned,and mDYRK-3 has been characterized with respect to kinase activity,expression among tissues and hematopoietic cells,and possible function during erythropoiesis. In sequence,mDYRK-3 diverges markedly in noncatalytic domains from mDYRK-2 and mDYRK-1a,but is 91.3% identical overall to hDYRK-3. Catalytically,mDYRK-3 readily phosphorylated myelin basic protein (but not histone 2B) and also appeared to autophosphorylate in vitro. Expression of mDYRK-1a,mDYRK-2,and mDYRK-3 was high in testes,but unlike mDYRK1a and mDYRK 2,mDYRK-3 was not expressed at appreciable levels in other tissues examined. Among hematopoietic cells,however,mDYRK-3 expression was selectively elevated in erythroid cell lines and primary pro-erythroid cells. In developmentally synchronized erythroid progenitor cells,expression peaked sharply following exposure to erythropoietin plus stem cell factor (SCF) (but not SCF alone),and in situ hybridizations of sectioned embryos revealed selective expression of mDYRK-3 in fetal liver. Interestingly,antisense oligonucleotides to mDYRK-3 were shown to significantly and specifically enhance colony-forming unit-erythroid colony formation. Thus,it is proposed that mDYRK-3 kinase functions as a lineage-restricted,stage-specific suppressor of red cell development. (Blood. 2001;97:901-910) View Publication

Pim kinases are Ser/Thr kinases with multiple substrates that affect survival pathways. These proteins are overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts and we hypothesized that Pim kinase inhibition would affect AML cell survival. Imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine compound,SGI-1776 inhibits Pim-1,Pim-2 and Pim-3,and was evaluated in AML-cell line,-xenograft model,and -primary blasts. Treatment of AML cells with SGI-1776 results in a concentration-dependent induction of apoptosis and we investigated its effect on Pim kinase functions. Phosphorylation of traditional Pim kinase targets,c-Myc(Ser62) and 4E-BP1 (Thr36/Thr47),were both decreased in actively cycling AML cell lines MV-4-11,MOLM-13 and OCI-AML-3. Levels of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-x(L),XIAP,and proapoptotic Bak and Bax were unchanged; however,a significant reduction in Mcl-1 was observed. This was correlated with inhibition of global RNA and protein synthesis and MCL-1 transcript decline after SGI-1776 treatment. These data suggest that SGI-1776 mechanism in AML involves Mcl-1 protein reduction. Consistent with cell line data,xenograft model studies with mice bearing MV-4-11 tumors showed efficacy with SGI-1776. Importantly,SGI-1776 was also cytotoxic in AML primary cells,irrespective of FLT3 mutation status and resulted in Mcl-1 protein decline. Pim kinase inhibition may be a new strategy for AML treatment. View Publication

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor stem cell leukemia gene (Scl) is a master regulator for hematopoiesis essential for hematopoietic specification and proper differentiation of the erythroid and megakaryocyte lineages. However,the critical downstream targets of Scl remain undefined. Here,we identified a novel Scl target gene,transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2 C (Mef2C) from Scl(fl/fl) fetal liver progenitor cell lines. Analysis of Mef2C(-/-) embryos showed that Mef2C,in contrast to Scl,is not essential for specification into primitive or definitive hematopoietic lineages. However,adult VavCre(+)Mef2C(fl/fl) mice exhibited platelet defects similar to those observed in Scl-deficient mice. The platelet counts were reduced,whereas platelet size was increased and the platelet shape and granularity were altered. Furthermore,megakaryopoiesis was severely impaired in vitro. Chromatin immunoprecipitation microarray hybridization analysis revealed that Mef2C is directly regulated by Scl in megakaryocytic cells,but not in erythroid cells. In addition,an Scl-independent requirement for Mef2C in B-lymphoid homeostasis was observed in Mef2C-deficient mice,characterized as severe age-dependent reduction of specific B-cell progenitor populations reminiscent of premature aging. In summary,this work identifies Mef2C as an integral member of hematopoietic transcription factors with distinct upstream regulatory mechanisms and functional requirements in megakaryocyte and B-lymphoid lineages. View Publication

The mechanisms by which megakaryocytes (MKs) differentiate and release platelets into the circulation are not well understood. However,growing evidence indicates that a complex regulatory mechanism involving MK-matrix interactions may contribute to the quiescent or permissive microenvironment related to platelet release within bone marrow. To address this hypothesis,in this study we demonstrate that human MKs express and synthesize cellular fibronectin (cFN) and transglutaminase factor XIII-A (FXIII-A). We proposed that these 2 molecules are involved in a new regulatory mechanism of MK-type I collagen interaction in the osteoblastic niche. In particular,we demonstrate that MK adhesion to type I collagen promotes MK spreading and inhibits pro-platelet formation through the release and relocation to the plasma membrane of cFN. This regulatory mechanism is dependent on the engagement of FN receptors at the MK plasma membrane and on transglutaminase FXIII-A activity. Consistently,the same mechanism regulated the assembly of plasma FN (pFN) by adherent MKs to type I collagen. In conclusion,our data extend the knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate MK-matrix interactions within the bone marrow environment and could serve as an important step for inquiring into the origins of diseases such as myelofibrosis and congenital thrombocytopenias that are still poorly understood. View Publication

We have characterized several potential stem cell markers and defined the membrane properties of rat fetal (E10.5) neural stem cells (NSC) by immunocytochemistry,electrophysiology and microarray analysis. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrates specificity of expression of Sox1,ABCG2/Bcrp1,and shows that nucleostemin labels both progenitor and stem cell populations. NSCs,like hematopoietic stem cells,express high levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) as assessed by Aldefluor labeling. Microarray analysis of 96 transporters and channels showed that Glucose transporter 1 (Glut1/Slc2a1) expression is unique to fetal NSCs or other differentiated cells. Electrophysiological examination showed that fetal NSCs respond to acetylcholine and its agonists,such as nicotine and muscarine. NSCs express low levels of tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive and insensitive sodium channels and calcium channels while expressing at least three kinds of potassium channels. We find that gap junction communication is mediated by connexin (Cx)43 and Cx45,and is essential for NSC survival and proliferation. Overall,our results show that fetal NSCs exhibit a unique signature that can be used to determine their location and assess their ability to respond to their environment. View Publication

A large membrane proteinase 3 (mPR3)-positive neutrophil subset (mPR3high) is a risk for Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). The relationship between mPR3 expression and clinical manifestations was investigated in 81 WG patients and mPR3 expression was studied in CD34+ stem cell-derived human neutrophils. The mPR3high neutrophil percentage correlated with renal function,anemia,and albumin at the time of presentation. The mPR3high neutrophil percentage and renal failure severity correlated directly after 5 yr. For elucidating mechanisms that govern mPR3 expression,studies were conducted to determine whether the genetic information that governs mPR3 expression resides within the neutrophils,even without stimuli possibly related to disease. CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells were differentiated to neutrophils,and their mPR3 expression was determined. A two-step amplification/differentiation protocol was used to differentiate human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells into neutrophils with G-CSF. The cells progressively expressed the neutrophil surface markers CD66b,CD35,and CD11b. The ferricytochrome C assay demonstrated a strong respiratory burst at day 14 in response to PMA but none at day 0. Intracellular PR3 was detectable from day 4 by Western blotting. An increasing percentage of a mPR3-positive neutrophil subset became detectable by flow cytometry,whereas a second subset remained negative,consistent with a bimodal expression. Finally,human PR3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies induced a stronger respiratory burst,compared with human control IgG in stem cell-derived neutrophils. Taken together,these studies underscore the clinical importance of the WG mPR3 phenotype. The surface mPR3 on resting cells is probably genetically determined rather than being dictated by external factors. View Publication

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) are multipotent postnatal stem cells that have been used for the treatment of bone defects and graft-versus-host diseases in clinics. In this study,we found that subcutaneously transplanted human BMMSCs are capable of organizing hematopoietic progenitors of recipient origin. These hematopoietic cells expressed multiple lineages of hematopoietic cell associated markers and were able to rescue lethally irradiated mice,with successful engraftment in the recipient,suggesting a potential bone marrow (BM) resource for stem cell therapies. Furthermore,we found that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) promotes the formation of BMMSC-generated BM niches through upregulation of beta-catenin,implying that the PDGF pathway contributes to the formation of ectopic BM. These results indicate that the BMMSC-organized BM niche system represents a unique hematopoietic progenitor resource possessing potential clinical value. View Publication

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been defined as primitive,undifferentiated cells,capable of self-renewal and with the ability to give rise to different cell lineages,including adipocytes,osteocytes,fibroblasts,chondrocytes,and myoblasts. MSC are key components of the hematopoietic microenvironment. Several studies,including some from our own group,suggest that important quantitative and functional alterations are present in the stroma of patients with myelodysplasia (MDS). However,in most of such studies the stroma has been analyzed as a complex network of different cell types and molecules,thus it has been difficult to identify and characterize the cell(s) type(s) that is (are) altered in MDS. In the present study,we have focused on the biological characterization of MSC from MDS. As a first approach,we have quantified their numbers in bone marrow,and have worked on their phenotypic (morphology and immunophenotype) and cytogenetic properties. MSC were obtained by a negative selection procedure and cultured in a MSC liquid culture medium. In terms of morphology,as well as the expression of certain cell markers,no differences were observed between MSC from MDS patients and those derived from normal marrow. In both cases,MSC expressed CD29,CD90,CD105 and Prolyl-4-hydroxylase; in contrast,they did not express CD14,CD34,CD68,or alkaline phosphatase. Interestingly,in five out of nine MDS patients,MSC developed in culture showed cytogenetic abnormalities,usually involving the loss of chromosomal material. All those five cases also showed cytogenetic abnormalities in their hematopoietic cells. Interestingly,in some cases there was a complete lack of overlap between the karyotypes of hematopoietic cells and MSC. To the best of our knowledge,the present study is the first in which a pure population of MSC from MDS patients is analyzed in terms of their whole karyotype and demonstrates that in a significant proportion of patients,MSC are cytogenetically abnormal. Although the reason of this is still unclear,such alterations may have an impact on the physiology of these cells. Further studies are needed to assess the functional integrity of MDS-derived MSC. View Publication

After DNA replication,sister chromatids must be untangled,or decatenated,before mitosis so that chromatids do not tear during anaphase. Topoisomerase IIalpha (Topo IIalpha) is the major decatenating enzyme. Topo IIalpha inhibitors prevent decatenation,causing cells to arrest during mitosis. Here we report that acute myeloid leukemia cells fail to arrest at the mitotic decatenation checkpoint,and their progression through this checkpoint is regulated by the DNA repair component Metnase (also termed SETMAR). Metnase contains a SET histone methylase and transposase nuclease domain,and is a component of the nonhomologous end-joining DNA double-strand break repair pathway. Metnase interacts with Topo IIalpha and enhances its decatenation activity. Here we show that multiple types of acute leukemia cells have an attenuated mitotic arrest when decatenation is inhibited and that in an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line this is mediated by Metnase. Of further importance,Metnase permits continued proliferation of these AML cells even in the presence of the clinical Topo IIalpha inhibitor VP-16. In vitro,purified Metnase prevents VP-16 inhibition of Topo IIalpha decatenation of tangled DNA. Thus,Metnase expression levels may predict AML resistance to Topo IIalpha inhibitors,and Metnase is a potential therapeutic target for small molecule interference. View Publication