Enhanced hematopoiesis by hematopoietic progenitor cells lacking intracellular adaptor protein, Lnk

When the Brakes are Lost: LNK Dysfunction in Mice, Men, and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Aberrant JAK-STAT signaling is a hallmark of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). These hyperproliferative disorders are classically associated with activating mutations in tyrosine kinases such as JAK2 and the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor MPL. Activation of JAK-STAT signaling and responses to JAK2 inhibitors have been observed in MPN patients lacking JAK2 or MPL mutations, suggesting that other regulatory elements in the JAK-STAT pathway are altered. However, the molecular basis for this observation has been unclear. Recently, the role of inhibitory regulators of JAK-STAT signaling in MPN pathogenesis has been increasingly recognized. LNK is an adaptor protein that forms a negative feedback loop by binding to MPL and JAK2 and inhibiting downstream STAT activation. Murine models indicate that loss of LNK function can promote the development of a MPN phenotype. Several recent studies have identified novel LNK mutations in MPNs, thus validating this notion in humans. These findings represent a novel genetic paradigm of loss of negative feedback regulation of JAK-STAT activation in MPNs and have implications for the future development of targeted therapies in MPNs.

Overlap between common genetic polymorphisms underpinning kidney traits and cardiovascular disease phenotypes: the CKDGen consortium

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease is associated with cardiovascular disease. We tested for evidence of a shared genetic basis to these traits.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted 2 targeted analyses. First, we examined whether known single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) underpinning kidney traits were associated with a series of vascular phenotypes. Additionally, we tested whether vascular SNPs were associated with markers of kidney damage. Significance was set to 1.5×10(-4) (0.05/325 tests).

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

Vascular outcomes were analyzed in participants from the AortaGen (20,634), CARDIoGRAM (86,995), CHARGE Eye (15,358), CHARGE IMT (31,181), ICBP (69,395), and NeuroCHARGE (12,385) consortia. Tests for kidney outcomes were conducted in up to 67,093 participants from the CKDGen consortium.

PREDICTOR

We used 19 kidney SNPs and 64 vascular SNPs.

OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS

Vascular outcomes tested were blood pressure, coronary artery disease, carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, retinal venular caliber, and brain white matter lesions. Kidney outcomes were estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria.

RESULTS

In general, we found that kidney disease variants were not associated with vascular phenotypes (127 of 133 tests were nonsignificant). The one exception was rs653178 near SH2B3 (SH2B adaptor protein 3), which showed direction-consistent association with systolic (P = 9.3 ×10(-10)) and diastolic (P = 1.6 ×10(-14)) blood pressure and coronary artery disease (P = 2.2 ×10(-6)), all previously reported. Similarly, the 64 SNPs associated with vascular phenotypes were not associated with kidney phenotypes (187 of 192 tests were nonsignificant), with the exception of 2 high-correlated SNPs at the SH2B3 locus (P = 1.06 ×10(-07) and P = 7.05 ×10(-08)).

LIMITATIONS

The combined effect size of the SNPs for kidney and vascular outcomes may be too low to detect shared genetic associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, although we confirmed one locus (SH2B3) as associated with both kidney and cardiovascular disease, our primary findings suggest that there is little overlap between kidney and cardiovascular disease risk variants in the overall population. The reciprocal risks of kidney and cardiovascular disease may not be genetically mediated, but rather a function of the disease milieu itself.

Reduced repression of cytokine signaling ameliorates age-induced decline in hematopoietic stem cell function

Aging causes profound effects on the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) pool, including an altered output of mature progeny and enhanced self-propagation of repopulating-defective HSCs. An important outstanding question is whether HSCs can be protected from aging. The signal adaptor protein LNK negatively regulates hematopoiesis at several cellular stages. It has remained unclear how the enhanced sensitivity to cytokine signaling caused by LNK deficiency affects hematopoiesis upon aging. Our findings demonstrate that aged LNK-/- HSCs displayed a robust overall reconstitution potential and gave rise to a hematopoietic system with a balanced lineage distribution. Although aged LNK-/- HSCs displayed a distinct molecular profile in which reduced proliferation was central, little or no difference in the proliferation of aged LNK-/- HSCs was observed after transplantation when compared to aged WT HSCs. This coincided with equal telomere maintenance in WT and LNK-/- HSCs. Collectively, our studies suggest that enhanced cytokine signaling can counteract functional age-related HSC decline.

Stem Cell Factor Receptor/c-Kit: From Basic Science to Clinical Implications

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a dimeric molecule that exerts its biological functions by binding to and activating the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit. Activation of c-Kit leads to its autophosphorylation and initiation of signal transduction. Signaling proteins are recruited to activated c-Kit by certain interaction domains (e.g., SH2 and PTB) that specifically bind to phosphorylated tyrosine residues in the intracellular region of c-Kit. Activation of c-Kit signaling has been found to mediate cell survival, migration, and proliferation depending on the cell type. Signaling from c-Kit is crucial for normal hematopoiesis, pigmentation, fertility, gut movement, and some aspects of the nervous system. Deregulated c-Kit kinase activity has been found in a number of pathological conditions, including cancer and allergy. The observation that gain-of-function mutations in c-Kit can promote tumor formation and progression has stimulated the development of therapeutics agents targeting this receptor, e.g., the clinically used inhibitor imatinib mesylate. Also other clinically used multiselective kinase inhibitors, for instance, sorafenib and sunitinib, have c-Kit included in their range of targets. Furthermore, loss-of-function mutations in c-Kit have been observed and shown to give rise to a condition called piebaldism. This review provides a summary of our current knowledge regarding structural and functional aspects of c-Kit signaling both under normal and pathological conditions, as well as advances in the development of low-molecular-weight molecules inhibiting c-Kit function.

The Lnk adaptor protein: a key regulator of normal and pathological hematopoiesis

The development and function of blood cells are regulated by specific growth factors/cytokines and their receptors' signaling pathways. In this way, these factors influence cell survival, proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Central to this positive and/or negative control are the adaptor proteins. Since their identification 10 years ago, members of the Lnk adaptor protein family have proved to be important activators and/or inhibitors in the hematopoietic, immune and vascular system. In particular, the generation of animal and cellular models for the Lnk and APS proteins has helped establish the physiological role of these molecules through the identification of their specific signaling pathways and the characterization of their binding partners. Moreover, the recent identification of mutations in the LNK gene in myeloproliferative disorders, as well as the correlation of a single nucleotide polymorphism on LNK with hematological, immune and vascular diseases have suggested its involvement in the pathophysiology of these malignancies. The latter findings have thus raised the possibility of addressing Lnk signaling for the treatment of certain human diseases. This review therefore describes the pathophysiological role of this adaptor protein in hematological malignancies and the potential benefits of Lnk therapeutic targeting.

Adaptor protein Lnk binds to and inhibits normal and leukemic FLT3

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a receptor tyrosine kinase with important roles in hematopoietic progenitor cell survival and proliferation. It is mutated in approximately one-third of AML patients, mostly by internal tandem duplications (ITDs). Adaptor protein Lnk is a negative regulator of hematopoietic cytokine signaling. In the present study, we show that Lnk interacts physically with both wild-type FLT3 (FLT3-WT) and FLT3-ITD through the SH2 domains. We have identified the tyrosine residues 572, 591, and 919 of FLT3 as phosphorylation sites involved in direct binding to Lnk. Lnk itself was tyrosine phosphorylated by both FLT3 ligand (FL)-activated FLT3-WT and constitutively activated FLT3-ITD. Both shRNA-mediated depletion and forced overexpression of Lnk demonstrated that activation signals emanating from both forms of FLT3 are under negative regulation by Lnk. Moreover, Lnk inhibited 32D cell proliferation driven by different FLT3 variants. Analysis of primary BM cells from Lnk-knockout mice showed that Lnk suppresses the expansion of FL-stimulated hematopoietic progenitors, including lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitors. The results of the present study show that through direct binding to FLT3, Lnk suppresses FLT3-WT/ITD-dependent signaling pathways involved in the proliferation of hematopoietic cells. Therefore, modulation of Lnk expression levels may provide a unique therapeutic approach for FLT3-ITD-associated hematopoietic disease.

Genotype-phenotype interactions in the myeloproliferative neoplasms

The chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal disorders characterized by overproduction of mature myeloid cells. They share associations with molecular abnormalities such as the JAK2V617F mutation but are distinguished by important phenotypic differences. This review first considers the factors that may influence phenotype in JAK2-mutated MPNs, especially polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), and then discusses the mutations implicated in JAK2-negative MPNs such as in MPL and epigenetic regulators. Current evidence supports a model where ET and PV are disorders of relatively low genetic complexity, whereas evolution to myelofibrosis or blast-phase disease reflects accumulation of a higher mutation burden.

Disordered signaling in myeloproliferative neoplasms

The human myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) have long been associated with abnormal responses to cytokines and activation of signaling pathways, although the exact molecular mechanisms underlying these observations were unknown. This situation altered with the discovery of the JAK2 V617F, which presaged the ongoing description of further mutations predicted to activate canonical signaling pathways in MPN. This article covers the nature of these mutations and summarizes functional experiments in model systems and in human MPN cells to define the signaling pathways altered and how these drive and determine the MPN cellular phenotype. Also discussed are recently described, novel noncanonical signaling pathways to chromatin predicted to alter gene transcription more directly and to also contribute to the MPN phenotype.

14-3-3 regulates the LNK/JAK2 pathway in mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) functions are governed by intricate signaling networks. The tyrosine kinase JAK2 plays an essential role in cytokine signaling during hematopoiesis. The adaptor protein LNK is a critical determinant of this process through its inhibitory interaction with JAK2, thereby limiting HSPC self-renewal. LNK deficiency promotes myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) development in mice, and LNK loss-of-function mutations are found in human MPNs, emphasizing its pivotal role in normal and malignant HSPCs. Here, we report the identification of 14-3-3 proteins as LNK binding partners. 14-3-3 interfered with the LNK-JAK2 interaction, thereby alleviating LNK inhibition of JAK2 signaling and cell proliferation. Binding of 14-3-3 required 2 previously unappreciated serine phosphorylation sites in LNK, and we found that their phosphorylation is mediated by glycogen synthase kinase 3 and PKA kinases. Mutations of these residues abrogated the interaction and augmented the growth inhibitory function of LNK. Conversely, forced 14-3-3 binding constrained LNK function. Furthermore, interaction with 14-3-3 sequestered LNK in the cytoplasm away from the plasma membrane-proximal JAK2. Importantly, bone marrow transplantation studies revealed an essential role for 14-3-3 in HSPC reconstitution that can be partially mitigated by LNK deficiency. We believe that, together, this work implicates 14-3-3 proteins as novel and positive HSPC regulators by impinging on the LNK/JAK2 pathway.

Gab adapter proteins as therapeutic targets for hematologic disease

The Grb-2 associated binder (Gab) family of scaffolding/adaptor/docking proteins is a group of three molecules with significant roles in cytokine receptor signaling. Gabs possess structural motifs for phosphorylation-dependent receptor recruitment, Grb2 binding, and activation of downstream signaling pathways through p85 and SHP-2. In addition, Gabs participate in hematopoiesis and regulation of immune response which can be aberrantly activated in cancer and inflammation. The multifunctionality of Gab adapters might suggest that they would be too difficult to consider as candidates for “targeted” therapy. However, the one drug/one target approach is giving way to the concept of one drug/multiple target approach since few cancers are addicted to a single signaling molecule for survival and combination drug therapies can be problematic. In this paper, we cover recent findings on Gab multi-functionality, binding partners, and their role in hematological malignancy and examine the concept of Gab-targeted therapy.

Homeostasis of hematopoietic stem cells regulated by the myeloproliferative disease associated-gene product Lnk/Sh2b3 via Bcl-xL

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are maintained at a very low frequency in adult bone marrow under steady-state conditions. However, it is not fully understood how homeostasis of bone marrow HSCs is maintained. We attempted to identify a key molecule involved in the regulation of HSC numbers, a factor that, in the absence of Lnk, leads to HSC expansion. Here, we demonstrate that upon stimulation with thrombopoietin, expression of Bcl-xL, an antiapoptotic protein, was highly enhanced in Lnk-deficient HSCs compared to normal HSCs. As a result, Lnk-deficient HSCs underwent reduced apoptosis following exposure to lethal radiation. Downregulation of Bcl-xL expression in Lnk-deficient HSCs by short-hairpin RNA resulted in a great reduction of their capacity for reconstitution. These findings suggest that Lnk/Sh2b3 constrains the expression of Bcl-xL and that the loss of Lnk/Sh2b3 function enhances survival of HSCs by inhibiting apoptosis. Furthermore, our observations indicate that HSCs in patients with an Lnk/Sh2b3 mutation might become resistant to apoptosis due to thrombopoietin-mediated enhanced expression of Bcl-xL. Consequently, reduced apoptosis could facilitate accumulation of HSCs with oncogenic mutations leading to development of myeloproliferative disorders.

Normal and malignant megakaryopoiesis

Megakaryopoiesis is the process by which bone marrow progenitor cells develop into mature megakaryocytes (MKs), which in turn produce platelets required for normal haemostasis. Over the past decade, molecular mechanisms that contribute to MK development and differentiation have begun to be elucidated. In this review, we provide an overview of megakaryopoiesis and summarise the latest developments in this field. Specially, we focus on polyploidisation, a unique form of the cell cycle that allows MKs to increase their DNA content, and the genes that regulate this process. In addition, because MKs have an important role in the pathogenesis of acute megakaryocytic leukaemia and a subset of myeloproliferative neoplasms, including essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis, we discuss the biology and genetics of these disorders. We anticipate that an increased understanding of normal MK differentiation will provide new insights into novel therapeutic approaches that will directly benefit patients.

New mutations and pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal disorders characterized by excessive production of mature blood cells. In the majority of classic MPN—polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primitive myelofibrosis—driver oncogenic mutations affecting Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) or MPL lead to constitutive activation of cytokine-regulated intracellular signaling pathways. LNK, c-CBL, or SOCSs (all negative regulators of signaling pathways), although infrequently targeted, may either drive the disease or synergize with JAK2 and MPL mutations. IZF1 deletions or TP53 mutations are mainly found at transformation phases and are present at greater frequency than in de novo acute myeloid leukemias. Loss-of-function mutations in 3 genes involved in epigenetic regulation, TET2, ASXL1, and EZH2, may be early events preceding JAK2V617F but may also occur late during disease progression. They are more frequently observed in PMF than PV and ET and are also present in other types of malignant myeloid diseases. A likely hypothesis is that they facilitate clonal selection, allowing the dominance of the JAK2V617F subclone during the chronic phase and, together with cooperating mutations, promote blast crisis. Their precise roles in hematopoiesis and in the pathogenesis of MPN, as well as their prognostic impact and potential as a therapeutic target, are currently under investigation.

Octa-arginine mediated delivery of wild-type Lnk protein inhibits TPO-induced M-MOK megakaryoblastic leukemic cell growth by promoting apoptosis

Background

Lnk plays a non-redundant role by negatively regulating cytokine signaling of TPO, SCF or EPO. Retroviral expression of Lnk has been shown to suppress hematopoietic leukemic cell proliferation indicating its therapeutic value in cancer therapy. However, retroviral gene delivery carries risks of insertional mutagenesis. To circumvent this undesired consequence, we fused a cell permeable peptide octa-arginine to Lnk and evaluated the efficacy of inhibition of leukemic cell proliferation in vitro.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, proliferation assays, flow cytometry, Western Blot analyses were performed on wild-type (WT), mutant Lnk R8 or BSA treated M-MOK cells. We found that delivered WT, but not mutant Lnk R8 blocked TPO-induced M-MOK megakaryoblastic leukemic cell proliferation. In contrast, WT Lnk R8 showed no growth inhibitive effect on non-hematopoietic HELA or COS-7 cell. Moreover, we demonstrated that TPO-induced M-MOK cell growth inhibition by WT Lnk R8 was dose-dependent. Penetrated WT Lnk R8 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Immunoprecipitation and Western blots data indicated WT Lnk R8 interacted with endogeneous Jak2 and downregulated Jak-Stat and MAPK phosphorylation level in M-MOK cells after TPO stimulation. Treatment with specific inhibitors (TG101348 and PD98059) indicated Jak-Stat and MAPK pathways were crucial for TPO-induced proliferation of M-MOK cells. Further analyses using TF-1 and HEL leukemic cell-lines showed that WT Lnk R8 inhibited Jak2-dependent cell proliferation. Using cord blood-derived CD34+ stem cells, we found that delivered WT Lnk R8 blocked TPO-induced megakaryopoiesis in vitro.

Conclusions/Significance

Intracellular delivery of WT Lnk R8 fusion protein efficiently inhibited TPO-induced M-MOK leukemic cell growth by promoting apoptosis. WT Lnk R8 protein delivery may provide a safer and more practical approach to inhibit leukemic cell growth worthy of further development.

The adaptor Lnk (SH2B3): an emerging regulator in vascular cells and a link between immune and inflammatory signaling

A better knowledge of the process by which inflammatory extracellular signals are relayed from the plasma membrane to specific intracellular sites is a key step to understand how inflammation develops and how it is regulated. This review focuses on Lnk (SH2B3) a member, with SH2B1 and SH2B2, of the SH2B family of adaptor proteins that influences a variety of signaling pathways mediated by Janus kinase and receptor tyrosine kinases. SH2B adaptor proteins contain conserved dimerization, pleckstrin homology, and SH2 domains. Initially described as a regulator of hematopoiesis and lymphocyte differentiation, Lnk now emerges as a key regulator in hematopoeitic and non hematopoeitic cells such as endothelial cells (EC) moderating growth factor and cytokine receptor-mediated signaling. In EC, Lnk is a negative regulator of TNF signaling that reduce proinflammatory phenotype and prevent EC from apoptosis. Lnk is a modulator in integrin signaling and actin cytoskeleton organization in both platelets and EC with an impact on cell adhesion, migration and thrombosis. In this review, we discuss some recent insights proposing Lnk as a key regulator of bone marrow-endothelial progenitor cell kinetics, including the ability to cell growth, endothelial commitment, mobilization, and recruitment for vascular regeneration. Finally, novel findings also provided evidences that mutations in Lnk gene are strongly linked to myeloproliferative disorders but also autoimmune and inflammatory syndromes where both immune and vascular cells display a role. Overall, these studies emphasize the importance of the Lnk adaptor molecule not only as prognostic marker but also as potential therapeutic target.

Genetics of the myeloproliferative neoplasms

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Since the discovery of the JAK2V617F mutation in 2005, an increasing number of somatic and germline genetic events responsible for myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) pathogenesis have been uncovered. The purpose of this review is to outline the most recent discoveries of the genetic alterations found in patients with MPNs.

RECENT FINDINGS

In addition to the JAK2V617F mutation, additional mutations in the JAK–STAT pathway have been discovered including a series of mutations in exon 12 of JAK2, the thrombopoietic receptor gene MPL, and in the gene encoding the JAK–STAT inhibitory adaptor protein LNK. Additionally, mutations in genes which appear to affect the epigenome of MPN patients have been discovered including mutations in TET2, IDH1/ 2, EZH2, and ASXL1. Lastly, some insights into the genetic events which contribute to transformation of a chronic MPN phenotype to acute myeloid leukemia have been elucidated, including deletion of the transcription factor Ikaros.

SUMMARY

The spectrum of genetic abnormalities found in the classic MPNs has increased over the last 6 years and somatic mutations in JAK2, MPL, LNK, TET2, EZH2, ASXL1, and IDH1/2 have all been described. Despite this, the initiating genetic events responsible for the development of MPNs is still not totally understood.

Recent findings in the genetics of blood pressure and hypertension traits

We provide an overview of ongoing discovery efforts in the genetics of blood pressure (BP) and hypertension (HTN) traits. Two large genome-wide association meta-analyses of individuals of European descent were recently published, revealing ~13 new loci for BP traits. Only two of these loci harbor genes in a pathway known to affect BP (CYP17A1 and NPPA/NPPB). Functional variants in these loci are still unknown. Few genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of complex diseases have been published from non-European populations. The study of populations with different evolutionary history and linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure, such as individuals of African ancestry, may provide an opportunity to further narrow these regions to identify the causal gene(s). Several collaborative efforts toward discovery of low-frequency variants and copy number variation for BP traits are currently underway. As evidence for new loci for complex diseases accumulates the assessment of the epidemiologic architecture of these variants in populations assumes higher priority. The impact of public health-relevant contexts such as diet, physical activity, psychosocial factors, and aging has not been examined for most common variants associated with BP.

JAK2 V617F and beyond: role of genetics and aberrant signaling in the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms

Dysregulated signaling is a hallmark of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), as evidenced by the identification of the activating JAK2 V617F somatic mutation in almost all patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and 50-60% of essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis patients. These disorders are clinically distinct, raising the question of how a single mutation can result in such phenotypic diversity. Mouse models have demonstrated that the level of JAK2 V617F expression can modulate the phenotype, and clinical studies of JAK2 V617F allele burden have reported similar findings. It has also been hypothesized that one or more pre-JAK2 V617F events may modify the MPN phenotype. However, the molecular basis of JAK2 V617F-negative essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis remains largely unexplained. Mutations in the TET2 gene have been identified in both JAK2 V617F-positive and -negative MPNs and other myeloid neoplasms, but their functional and clinical significance have yet to be clarified. In addition, recent reports have identified a specific germline haplotype that increases the predisposition to MPNs. The role of inhibitory pathways (e.g., SOCS and LNK) in regulating JAK-STAT signaling in MPNs is being increasingly recognized. The implications of these findings and their clinical relevance are the focus of this article.

The carriage of the type 1 diabetes-associated R262W variant of human LNK correlates with increased proliferation of peripheral blood monocytes in diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE

Lymphocyte adaptor protein (LNK) plays a pivotal role as a suppressor of T-cell receptor-mediated immune signaling and negative regulator of lymphopoiesis and early hematopoiesis. Recently, association between the R262W (c.784T>C) variant of the SH2B3 gene (rs3184504) encoding human LNK and type 1 diabetes (T1D) was found in several populations. In this study, we aimed to check whether this marker is associated with T1D in a Russian population.

METHODS

Using a Taqman allele discrimination assay, we genotyped 1062 unrelated Russian individuals with diabetes at childhood and adolescence onset and 1020 healthy controls. T-cell proliferation assay based on the measurement of incorporation of bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation into newly synthesized DNA was used to evaluate whether carriage of SH2B3 784T>C correlates with T-cell proliferation in patients' peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PMBCs) stimulated with anti-CD28 and anti-CD3 antibodies.

RESULTS

The allele 784C of SH2B3 was related to a higher risk of T1D (odds ratio of 1.52, p = 1.2 × 10(-12)). A correlation between the carriage of the predisposing C/C variant of LNK and increased proliferation of T lymphocytes was shown in PMBCs of both diabetic [C/C vs. C/T vs.T/T = optical density at 450 nm (OD(450)) 6.3 ± 0.8 vs. 4.4 ± 0.7 vs. 2.7 ± 0.5, p = 0.0007] and non-diabetic (C/C vs. C/T vs.T/T = OD(450) 2.9 ± 0.6 vs. 2.2 ± 0.4 vs. 1.7 ± 0.4, p = 0.022) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The SH2B3 784T>C variant could contribute to the pathogenesis of T1D through impaired immune response that promotes activation and expansion of self-reactive lymphocytes in susceptible individuals.

Adaptor protein Lnk binds to PDGF receptor and inhibits PDGF-dependent signaling

OBJECTIVE

Platelet-derived growth factor receptors α and β (PDGFRA, PDGFRB) are frequently expressed on hematopoietic cells and regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and transformation. Stimulation by autocrine loops or activation by chromosomal translocation makes them important factors in development of hematopoietic disorders. Interaction with the ligand PDGF results in activation of the tyrosine kinase domain and phosphorylation of tyrosine residues, thereby creating binding sites for molecules containing Src homology 2 domains. We hypothesized that one such protein may be Lnk, a negative regulator of cytokine receptors, including Mpl, EpoR, c-Kit, and c-Fms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Interaction of Lnk with PDGFRA, PDGFRB, or leukemogenic FIP1L1-PDGFRA or TEL-PDGFRB was studied in cotransfected 293T cells. Effects of Lnk on PDGFR signaling were shown in 293T and NIH3T3 cells, whereas its influence on either PDGF-dependent or factor-independent growth was investigated using Ba/F3 or 32D cells expressing wild-type PDGFR, FIP1L1-PDGFRA, or TEL-PDGFRB.

RESULTS

We show that Lnk binds to PDGFR after exposure of cells to PDGF. Furthermore, Lnk can bind the FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion protein. Mutation or deletion of the Lnk Src homology 2 domain completely abolished binding of Lnk to FIP1L1-PDGFRA, but just partly prevented binding to PDGFRA or PDGFRB. Expression of Lnk inhibited proliferation of PDGF-dependent Ba/F3 cells and diminished phosphorylation of Erk in PDGF-treated NIH3T3. 32D cells transformed by either FIP1L1-PDGFRA or TEL-PDGFRB stopped growing when Lnk was expressed.

CONCLUSIONS

Lnk is a negative regulator of PDGFR signaling. Development of Lnk mimetic drugs might provide a novel therapeutic strategy for myeloproliferative disorders.

Expression level and differential JAK2-V617F–binding of the adaptor protein Lnk regulates JAK2-mediated signals in myeloproliferative neoplasms

Activating mutations in signaling molecules, such as JAK2-V617F, have been associated with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Mice lacking the inhibitory adaptor protein Lnk display deregulation of thrombopoietin/thrombopoietin receptor signaling pathways and exhibit similar myeloproliferative characteristics to those found in MPN patients, suggesting a role for Lnk in the molecular pathogenesis of these diseases. Here, we showed that LNK levels are up-regulated and correlate with an increase in the JAK2-V617F mutant allele burden in MPN patients. Using megakaryocytic cells, we demonstrated that Lnk expression is regulated by the TPO-signaling pathway, thus indicating an important negative control loop in these cells. Analysis of platelets derived from MPN patients and megakaryocytic cell lines showed that Lnk can interact with JAK2-WT and V617F through its SH2 domain, but also through an unrevealed JAK2-binding site within its N-terminal region. In addition, the presence of the V617F mutation causes a tighter association with Lnk. Finally, we found that the expression level of the Lnk protein can modulate JAK2-V617F–dependent cell proliferation and that its different domains contribute to the inhibition of multilineage and megakaryocytic progenitor cell growth in vitro. Together, our results indicate that changes in Lnk expression and JAK2-V617F–binding regulate JAK2-mediated signals in MPNs.

Dysregulated gene expression during hematopoietic differentiation from human embryonic stem cells

The generation of hematopoietic cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) has raised the possibility of using hESC as an alternative donor source for transplantation. However, functional defects identified in hESC-derived cells limit their use for full lymphohematopoietic reconstitution. The purpose of the present study was to define and quantitate key functional and molecular differences between CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor subsets derived from hESC and CD34(+) subsets from umbilical cord blood (UCB) representing definitive hematopoiesis. Two distinct sub-populations were generated following mesodermal differentiation from hESC, a CD34(bright) (hematoendothelial) and CD34(dim) (hematopoietic-restricted) subset. Limiting dilution analysis revealed profound defects in clonal proliferation relative to UCB particularly in B lymphoid conditions. Transcription factors normally expressed at specific commitment stages during B lymphoid development from UCB-CD34(+) cells were aberrantly expressed in hESC-derived CD34(+) cells. Moreover, strong negative regulators of lymphopoiesis such as the adaptor protein LNK and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (CEBPα), were exclusively expressed in hESC-CD34(+) subsets. Knockdown of LNK lead to an increase in hematopoietic progenitors generated from hESCs. The aberrant molecular profile seen in hESC-CD34(+) cells represents persistence of transcripts first expressed in undifferentiated hESC and/or CD326-CD56(+) mesoderm progenitors, and may contribute to the block in definitive hematopoiesis from hESC.

ROS-mediated amplification of AKT/mTOR signalling pathway leads to myeloproliferative syndrome in Foxo3(-/-) mice

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) participate in normal intracellular signalling and in many diseases including cancer and aging, although the associated mechanisms are not fully understood. Forkhead Box O (FoxO) 3 transcription factor regulates levels of ROS concentrations, and is essential for maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells. Here, we show that loss of Foxo3 causes a myeloproliferative syndrome with splenomegaly and increased hematopoietic progenitors (HPs) that are hypersensitive to cytokines. These mutant HPs contain increased ROS, overactive intracellular signalling through the AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signalling pathway and relative deficiency of Lnk, a negative regulator of cytokine receptor signalling. In vivo treatment with ROS scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine corrects these biochemical abnormalities and relieves the myeloproliferation. Moreover, enforced expression of Lnk by retroviral transfer corrects the abnormal expansion of Foxo3(-/-) HPs in vivo. Our combined results show that loss of Foxo3 causes increased ROS accumulation in HPs. In turn, this inhibits Lnk expression that contributes to exaggerated cytokine responses that lead to myeloproliferation. Our findings could explain the mechanisms by which mutations that alter Foxo3 function induce malignancy. More generally, the work illustrates how deregulated ROS may contribute to malignant progression.

Lnk-dependent axis of SCF-cKit signal for osteogenesis in bone fracture healing

The therapeutic potential of hematopoietic stem cells/endothelial progenitor cells (HSCs/EPCs) for fracture healing has been demonstrated with evidence for enhanced vasculogenesis/angiogenesis and osteogenesis at the site of fracture. The adaptor protein Lnk has recently been identified as an essential inhibitor of stem cell factor (SCF)–cKit signaling during stem cell self-renewal, and Lnk-deficient mice demonstrate enhanced hematopoietic reconstitution. In this study, we investigated whether the loss of Lnk signaling enhances the regenerative response during fracture healing. Radiological and histological examination showed accelerated fracture healing and remodeling in Lnk-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. Molecular, physiological, and morphological approaches showed that vasculogenesis/angiogenesis and osteogenesis were promoted in Lnk-deficient mice by the mobilization and recruitment of HSCs/EPCs via activation of the SCF–cKit signaling pathway in the perifracture zone, which established a favorable environment for bone healing and remodeling. In addition, osteoblasts (OBs) from Lnk-deficient mice had a greater potential for terminal differentiation in response to SCF–cKit signaling in vitro. These findings suggest that inhibition of Lnk may have therapeutic potential by promoting an environment conducive to vasculogenesis/angiogenesis and osteogenesis and by facilitating OB terminal differentiation, leading to enhanced fracture healing.

Novel mutations in the inhibitory adaptor protein LNK drive JAK-STAT signaling in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms

Dysregulated Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling due to activation of tyrosine kinases is a common feature of myeloid malignancies. Here we report the first human disease-related mutations in the adaptor protein LNK, a negative regulator of JAK-STAT signaling, in 2 patients with JAK2 V617F-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). One patient exhibited a 5 base-pair deletion and missense mutation leading to a premature stop codon and loss of the pleckstrin homology (PH) and Src homology 2 (SH2) domains. A second patient had a missense mutation (E208Q) in the PH domain. BaF3-MPL cells transduced with these LNK mutants displayed augmented and sustained thrombopoietin-dependent growth and signaling. Primary samples from MPN patients bearing LNK mutations exhibited aberrant JAK-STAT activation, and cytokine-responsive CD34(+) early progenitors were abnormally abundant in both patients. These findings indicate that JAK-STAT activation due to loss of LNK negative feedback regulation is a novel mechanism of MPN pathogenesis.

Adaptor protein Lnk inhibits c-Fms-mediated macrophage function

The M-CSFR (c-Fms) participates in proliferation, differentiation, and survival of macrophages and is involved in the regulation of distinct macrophage functions. Interaction with the ligand M-CSF results in phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on c-Fms, thereby creating binding sites for molecules containing SH2 domains. Lnk is a SH2 domain adaptor protein that negatively regulates hematopoietic cytokine receptors. Here, we show that Lnk binds to c-Fms. Biological and functional effects of this interaction were examined in macrophages from Lnk-deficient (KO) and WT mice. Clonogenic assays demonstrated an elevated number of M-CFUs in the bone marrow of Lnk KO mice. Furthermore, the M-CSF-induced phosphorylation of Akt in Lnk KO macrophages was increased and prolonged, whereas phosphorylation of Erk was diminished. Zymosan-stimulated production of ROS was increased dramatically in a M-CSF-dependent manner in Lnk KO macrophages. Lastly, Lnk inhibited M-CSF-induced migration of macrophages. In summary, we show that Lnk binds to c-Fms and can blunt M-CSF stimulation. Modulation of levels of Lnk in macrophages may provide a unique therapeutic approach to increase innate host defenses.

Lnk deletion reinforces the function of bone marrow progenitors in promoting neovascularization and astrogliosis following spinal cord injury

Lnk is an intracellular adaptor protein reported as a negative regulator of proliferation in c-Kit positive, Sca-1 positive, lineage marker-negative (KSL) bone marrow cells. The KSL fraction in mouse bone marrow is believed to represent a population of hematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). We report here that, in vitro, Lnk(-/-) KSL cells form more EPC colonies than Lnk(+/+) KSL cells and show higher expression levels of endothelial marker genes, including CD105, CD144, Tie-1, and Tie2, than their wild-type counterparts. In vivo, the administration of Lnk(+/+) KSL cells to a mouse spinal cord injury model promoted angiogenesis, astrogliosis, axon growth, and functional recovery following injury, with Lnk(-/-) KSL being significantly more effective in inducing and promoting these regenerative events. At day 3 following injury, large vessels could be observed in spinal cords treated with KSL cells, and reactive astrocytes were found to have migrated along these large vessels. We could further show that the enhancement of astrogliosis appears to be caused in conjunction with the acceleration of angiogenesis. These findings suggest that Lnk deletion reinforces the commitment of KSL cells to EPCs, promoting subsequent repair of injured spinal cord through the acceleration of angiogenesis and astrogliosis.

Lnk regulates integrin alphaIIbbeta3 outside-in signaling in mouse platelets, leading to stabilization of thrombus development in vivo

The nature of the in vivo cellular events underlying thrombus formation mediated by platelet activation remains unclear because of the absence of a modality for analysis. Lymphocyte adaptor protein (Lnk; also known as Sh2b3) is an adaptor protein that inhibits thrombopoietin-mediated signaling, and as a result, megakaryocyte and platelet counts are elevated in Lnk-/- mice. Here we describe an unanticipated role for Lnk in stabilizing thrombus formation and clarify the activities of Lnk in platelets transduced through integrin alphaIIbbeta3-mediated outside-in signaling. We equalized platelet counts in wild-type and Lnk-/- mice by using genetic depletion of Lnk and BM transplantation. Using FeCl3- or laser-induced injury and in vivo imaging that enabled observation of single platelet behavior and the multiple steps in thrombus formation, we determined that Lnk is an essential contributor to the stabilization of developing thrombi within vessels. Lnk-/- platelets exhibited a reduced ability to fully spread on fibrinogen and mediate clot retraction, reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of the beta3 integrin subunit, and reduced binding of Fyn to integrin alphaIIbbeta3. These results provide new insight into the mechanism of alphaIIbbeta3-based outside-in signaling, which appears to be coordinated in platelets by Lnk, Fyn, and integrins. Outside-in signaling modulators could represent new therapeutic targets for the prevention of cardiovascular events.

Expression of the adaptor protein Lnk in leukemia cells

OBJECTIVE

Tyrosine kinases are involved in cytokine signaling and are frequently aberrantly activated in hematological malignancies. Lnk, a negative regulator of cytokine signaling, plays critical nonredundant roles in hematopoiesis. By binding to phosphorylated tyrosine kinases, Lnk inhibits major cytokine receptor signaling, including c-KIT; erythropoietin receptor-Janus kinase 2 (JAK2); and MPL-JAK2. In the present study, we investigated Lnk expression and possible function in transformed hematopoietic cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Coimmunoprecipitations were performed to identify binding between Lnk and mutant tyrosine kinases. Proliferation assays were done to examine the affect of Lnk overexpression on cancer cell growth. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine Lnk expression in patient samples.

RESULTS

We show that, in parallel to binding wild-type JAK2 and c-KIT, Lnk associates with and is phosphorylated by mutant alleles of JAK2 and c-KIT. In contrast, Lnk does not bind to and is not phosphorylated by BCR-ABL fusion protein. Ectopic expression of Lnk strongly attenuates growth of some leukemia cell lines, while others as well as most solid tumor cancer cell lines are either moderately inhibited or completely insensitive to Lnk. Furthermore, Lnk-mediated growth inhibition is associated with differential downregulation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling in leukemia cell lines. Surprisingly, analysis of Lnk in a large panel of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia patient samples revealed high levels of Lnk in nearly half of the samples.

CONCLUSION

Although how leukemic cells overcome the antiproliferative effects of Lnk is not yet clear, our data highlight the multifaceted role negative feedback mechanisms play in malignant transformation.

Pivotal role of lnk adaptor protein in endothelial progenitor cell biology for vascular regeneration

Despite the fact that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are important for postnatal neovascularization, their origins, differentiation, and modulators are not clear. Here, we demonstrate that Lnk, a negative regulator of hematopoietic stem cell proliferation, controls endothelial commitment of c-kit(+)/Sca-1(+)/Lineage(-) (KSL) subpopulations of bone marrow cells. The results of EPC colony-forming assays reveal that small (primitive) EPC colony formation by CD34(-) KSLs and large (definitive) EPC colony formation by CD34((dim)) KSLs are more robust in lnk(-/-) mice. In hindlimb ischemia, perfusion recovery is augmented in lnk(-/-) mice through enhanced proliferation and mobilization of EPCs via c-Kit/stem cell factor. We found that Lnk-deficient EPCs are more potent actors than resident cells in hindlimb perfusion recovery and ischemic neovascularization, mainly via the activity of bone marrow-EPCs. Similarly, lnk(-/-) mice show augmented retinal neovascularization and astrocyte network maturation without an increase in indicators of pathogenic angiogenesis in an in vivo model of retinopathy. Taken together, our results provide strong evidence that Lnk regulates bone marrow-EPC kinetics in vascular regeneration. Selective targeting of Lnk may be a safe and effective strategy to augment therapeutic neovascularization by EPC transplantation.

Lnk inhibits myeloproliferative disorder-associated JAK2 mutant, JAK2V617F

The JAK2 mutation JAK2V617F is found frequently in patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) and transforms hematopoietic cells to cytokine-independent proliferation when expressed with specific cytokine receptors. The Src homology 2 (SH2) and pleckstrin homology (PH) domain-containing adaptor protein Lnk (SH2B3) is a negative regulator of hematopoietic cytokine signaling. Here, we show that Lnk is a potent inhibitor of JAK2V617F constitutive activity. Lnk down-regulates JAK2V617F-mediated signaling and transformation in hematopoietic Ba/F3-erythropoietin receptor cells. Furthermore, in CFU assays, Lnk-deficient murine bone marrow cells are significantly more sensitive to transformation by JAK2V617F than wild-type (WT) cells. Lnk, through its SH2 and PH domains, interacts with WT and mutant JAK2 and is phosphorylated by constitutively activated JAK2V617F. Finally, we found that Lnk levels are high in CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitors from MPD patients and that Lnk expression is induced following JAK2 activation. Our data suggest that JAK2V617F is susceptible to endogenous negative-feedback regulation, providing new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of MPD.

[Sh2b3/Lnk family adaptor proteins in the regulation of lymphohematopoiesis]

Sh2b3/Lnk consisting of an N-terminal proline-rich region, PH-, SH2-domains and a tyrosine phosphorylation site, forms an intracellular adaptor protein family conserved from drosophila to mammals, together with Sh2b1/SH2-B and Sh2b2/APS (adaptor protein with PH and SH2 domains). Lnk negatively regulates lymphopoiesis and early hematopoiesis. The lnk-deficiency results in enhanced production of B cells, and expansion as well as enhanced function of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), demonstrating negative regulatory functions of Sh2b3/Lnk in cytokine signaling. Our recent studies also revealed that Sh2b3/Lnk functions in responses controlled by cell adhesion and in crosstalk between integrin- and cytokine-mediated signaling. Importantly, recent genome-wide association studies of the autoimmune type 1 diabetes or celiac disease identified risk variants in the SH2B3/LNK region, indicating possible unrevealed functions mediated by this adaptor molecule. This review summarizes roles of Sh2b3/Lnk in the regulation of B-lymphopoiesis and HSCs expansion and function, and briefly introduces our approach for modulating HSCs function by targeting Sh2b3/Lnk-mediated pathways.

Lnk adaptor protein down-regulates specific Kit-induced signaling pathways in primary mast cells

Stem cell factor (SCF) plays critical roles in proliferation, survival, migration, and function of hematopoietic progenitor and mast cells through binding to Kit receptor. Previous studies have implicated the adaptor protein Lnk as an important negative regulator of SCF signaling. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this regulation is unclear. Here, we showed that the Src homology 2 domain (SH2) of Lnk binds directly and preferentially to phosphorylated tyrosine 567 in Kit juxtamembrane domain. Using Lnk−/− bone marrow mast cells (BMMCs) transduced with different Lnk proteins, we demonstrated that Lnk down-regulates SCF-induced proliferation with attenuation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-jun N-terminal kinase signaling. Furthermore, we showed that Lnk−/− BMMCs displayed increased SCF-dependent migration compared with wild-type cells, revealing a novel Lnk-mediated inhibitory function. This correlated with enhanced Rac and p38 MAPK activation. Finally, we found that Lnk domains and carboxy-terminal tyrosine contribute differently to inhibition of in vitro expansion of hematopoietic progenitors. Altogether, our results demonstrate that Lnk, through its binding to Kit tyrosine 567, negatively modulates specific SCF-dependent signaling pathways involved in the proliferation and migration of primary hematopoietic cells.

SHD1 is a novel cytokine-inducible, negative feedback regulator of STAT5-dependent transcription

STAT5 is a critical mediator of a variety of cytokine signaling whose transcriptional activity is regulated by associating with various proteins. During a search for STAT5-interacting proteins, we identified SHD1, a mammalian homologue of yeast gene Sac3, as a potential interacter. SHD1 was localized in the nucleus, and induced by cytokines that activate STAT5, such as erythropoietin, interleukin-2 (IL-2), or IL-3. SHD1 interacted specifically with STAT5A and STAT5B, and interestingly, it specifically repressed STAT5-dependent transcription in vitro without affecting the stability or phosphorylation of STAT5 protein. Gene disruption study revealed that T, B, or bone marrow cells from mice lacking SHD1 were hyperresponsive to T-cell-receptor engagement, or stimulation with various STAT5-activating cytokines. These results suggest that SHD1 is a novel cytokine-inducible negative feedback regulator of STAT5.

Adaptor protein Lnk associates with Tyr568 in c-Kit

The adaptor protein Lnk is expressed in haemopoietic cells and plays a critical role in haemopoiesis. Animal model studies demonstrated that Lnk acts as a broad inhibitor of signalling pathways in haemopoietic lineages. Lnk belongs to a family of proteins sharing several structural motifs, including an SH2 (Src homology 2) domain which binds phosphotyrosine residues in various signal-transducing proteins. The SH2 domain is essential for Lnk-mediated negative regulation of several cytokine receptors [e.g. Mpl, EpoR (erythropoietin receptor), c-Kit]. Therefore inhibition of the binding of Lnk to cytokine receptors might lead to enhanced downstream signalling of the receptor and thereby to improved haemopoiesis in response to exposure to cytokines (e.g. erythropoietin in anaemic patients). This hypothesis led us to define the exact binding site of Lnk to the stem cell factor receptor c-Kit. Pull-down experiments using GST (glutathione transferase)-fusion proteins of the different domains of c-Kit showed that Lnk almost exclusively binds to the phosphorylated juxtamembrane domain. Binding of Lnk to the juxtamembrane domain was abolished by point mutation of Tyr568 and was competed by peptides with a phosphotyrosine residue at position 568. Co-immunoprecipitation with full-length wild-type or Y568F mutant c-Kit and Lnk confirmed these results, thus showing the importance of this phosphorylated tyrosine residue. Lnk bound directly to c-Kit without requiring other interacting partners. The identification of the binding site of Lnk to c-Kit will be useful to discover inhibitory molecules that prevent the binding of these two proteins, thus making haemopoietic cells more sensitive to growth factors.

Lnk controls mouse hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and quiescence through direct interactions with JAK2

In addition to its role in megakaryocyte production, signaling initiated by thrombopoietin (TPO) activation of its receptor, myeloproliferative leukemia virus protooncogene (c-Mpl, or Mpl), controls HSC homeostasis and self-renewal. Under steady-state conditions, mice lacking the inhibitory adaptor protein Lnk harbor an expanded HSC pool with enhanced self-renewal. We found that HSCs from Lnk-/- mice have an increased quiescent fraction, decelerated cell cycle kinetics, and enhanced resistance to repeat treatments with cytoablative 5-fluorouracil in vivo compared with WT HSCs. We further provide genetic evidence demonstrating that Lnk controls HSC quiescence and self-renewal, predominantly through Mpl. Consistent with this observation, Lnk-/- HSCs displayed potentiated activation of JAK2 specifically in response to TPO. Biochemical experiments revealed that Lnk directly binds to phosphorylated tyrosine residues in JAK2 following TPO stimulation. Of note, the JAK2 V617F mutant, found at high frequencies in myeloproliferative diseases, retains the ability to bind Lnk. Therefore, we identified Lnk as a physiological negative regulator of JAK2 in stem cells and TPO/Mpl/JAK2/Lnk as a major regulatory pathway in controlling stem cell self-renewal and quiescence.

Adaptor protein Lnk negatively regulates the mutant MPL, MPLW515L associated with myeloproliferative disorders

Recently, activating myeloproliferative leukemia virus oncogene (MPL) mutations, MPLW515L/K, were described in myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) patients. MPLW515L leads to activation of downstream signaling pathways and cytokine-independent proliferation in hematopoietic cells. The adaptor protein Lnk is a negative regulator of several cytokine receptors, including MPL. We show that overexpression of Lnk in Ba/F3-MPLW515L cells inhibits cytokine-independent growth, while suppression of Lnk in UT7-MPLW515L cells enhances proliferation. Lnk blocks the activation of Jak2, Stat3, Erk, and Akt in these cells. Furthermore, MPLW515L-expressing cells are more susceptible to Lnk inhibitory functions than their MPL wild-type (MPLWT)-expressing counterparts. Lnk associates with activated MPLWT and MPLW515L and colocalizes with the receptors at the plasma membrane. The SH2 domain of Lnk is essential for its binding and for its down-regulation of MPLWT and MPLW515L. Lnk itself is tyrosine-phosphorylated following thrombopoietin stimulation. Further elucidating the cellular pathways that attenuate MPLW515L will provide insight into the pathogenesis of MPD and could help develop specific therapeutic approaches.

Lnk negatively regulates self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells by modifying thrombopoietin-mediated signal transduction

One of the central tasks of stem cell biology is to understand the molecular mechanisms that control self-renewal in stem cells. Several cytokines are implicated as crucial regulators of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), but little is known about intracellular signaling for HSC self-renewal. To address this issue, we attempted to clarify how self-renewal potential is enhanced in HSCs without the adaptor molecule Lnk, as in Lnk-deficient mice HSCs are expanded in number >10-fold because of their increased self-renewal potential. We show that Lnk negatively regulates self-renewal of HSCs by modifying thrombopoietin (TPO)-mediated signal transduction. Single-cell cultures showed that Lnk-deficient HSCs are hypersensitive to TPO. Competitive repopulation revealed that long-term repopulating activity increases in Lnk-deficient HSCs, but not in WT HSCs, when these cells are cultured in the presence of TPO with or without stem cell factor. Single-cell transplantation of each of the paired daughter cells indicated that a combination of stem cell factor and TPO efficiently induces symmetrical self-renewal division in Lnk-deficient HSCs but not in WT HSCs. Newly developed single-cell immunostaining demonstrated significant enhancement of both p38 MAPK inactivation and STAT5 and Akt activation in Lnk-deficient HSCs after stimulation with TPO. Our results suggest that a balance in positive and negative signals downstream from the TPO signal plays a role in the regulation of the probability of self-renewal in HSCs. In general, likewise, the fate of stem cells may be determined by combinational changes in multiple signal transduction pathways.

Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits TNF-α-induced Lnk expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells: involvement of the PI3K/Akt pathway

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exert anti-inflammatory properties by influencing inflammatory cell activation processes. Lnk is an adaptor protein involving endothelial cell (EC) activation because it is induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). This study was conducted to evaluate the role of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an n-3 PUFA, in the regulation of Lnk expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Primary HUVECs were pretreated with EPA for 12 h at various concentrations (0-40 muM) and then exposed for another 12 h in the presence or absence of TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml). Lnk mRNA and protein were detected using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. Results showed that pretreatment of HUVEC with EPA inhibited TNF-alpha-induced expression of Lnk in a dose-dependent manner. TNF-alpha-induced Lnk was also inhibited by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, LY294002. Thus, we investigated the role of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in this process. Phosphorylation of Akt was assessed by Western blot analysis. We found that EPA treatment decreased the amount of activated Akt. These results showed that EPA inhibited TNF-alpha-induced Lnk expression in HUVECs through the PI3K/Akt pathway. This may be a potential mechanism by which EPA protects ECs under inflammatory conditions.

Regulation of immune responses and hematopoiesis by the Rap1 signal

Rap1 (Ras-proximity 1), a member of the Ras family of small guanine triphosphatases (GTPases), is activated by diverse extracellular stimuli. While Rap1 has been discovered originally as a potential Ras antagonist, accumulating evidence indicates that Rap1 per se mediates unique signals and exerts biological functions distinctly different from Ras. Rap1 plays a dominant role in the control of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions by regulating the function of integrins and other adhesion molecules in various cell types. Rap1 also regulates MAP kinase (MAPK) activity in a manner highly dependent on the context of cell types. Recent studies (including gene-targeting analysis) have uncovered that the Rap1 signal is integrated crucially and unpredictably in the diverse aspects of comprehensive biological systems. This review summarizes the role of the Rap1 signal in developments and functions of the immune and hematopoietic systems as well as in malignancy. Importantly, Rap1 activation is tightly regulated in tissue cells, and dysregulations of the Rap1 signal in specific tissues result in certain disorders, including myeloproliferative disorders and leukemia, platelet dysfunction with defective hemostasis, leukocyte adhesion-deficiency syndrome, lupus-like systemic autoimmune disease, and T cell anergy. Many of these disorders resemble human diseases, and the Rap1 signal with its regulators may provide rational molecular targets for controlling certain human diseases including malignancy.

Role of SPA-1 in Phenotypes of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Induced by BCR-ABL–Expressing Hematopoietic Progenitors in a Mouse Model

SPA-1 is a negative regulator of Rap1 signal in hematopoietic cells, and SPA-1-deficient mice develop myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) of long latency. In the present study, we showed that the MPDs in SPA-1(-/-) mice were associated with the increased hematopoietic stem cells expressing LFA-1 in bone marrow and their premature mobilization to spleen with extensive extramedullary hematopoiesis, resembling human chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). We further showed that human BCR-ABL oncogene caused a partial down-regulation of endogenous SPA-1 gene expression in mouse hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) and immature hematopoietic cell lines. Although both BCR-ABL-transduced wild-type (wt) and SPA-1(-/-) HPC rapidly developed CML-like MPD when transferred to severe combined immunodeficient mice, the latter recipients showed significantly increased proportions of BCR-ABL(+) Lin(-) c-Kit(+) cells compared with the former ones. Serial transfer experiments revealed that spleen cells of secondary recipients of BCR-ABL(+) wt HPC failed to transfer MPD to tertiary recipients due to a progressive reduction of BCR-ABL(+) Lin(-) c-Kit(+) cells. In contrast, SPA-1(-/-) BCR-ABL(+) Lin(-) c-Kit(+) cells were sustained at high level in secondary recipients, and their spleen cells could transfer MPD to tertiary recipients, a part of which rapidly developed blast crisis. Present results suggest that endogenous SPA-1 plays a significant role in regulating expansion and/or survival of BCR-ABL(+) leukemic progenitors albeit partial repression by BCR-ABL and that Rap1 signal may represent a new molecular target for controlling leukemic progenitors in CML.

TNF-alpha induces Lnk expression through PI3K-dependent signaling pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

BACKGROUND

A better understanding of activation process of endothelial cells (ECs) might reveal new ways of controlling inflammation. Adaptor proteins play crucial roles in ECs activation. Lnk is a newly discovered adaptor protein that has been proposed as a negative regulator of cytokine signaling. While limited information is available about Lnk in human ECs. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of TNF-alpha on Lnk expression in ECs and to identify the signal transduction pathway that is associated with Lnk regulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with designated doses of TNF-alpha and harvested at designated time points. Then Lnk mRNA and protein were detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

The data demonstrated that Lnk mRNA and protein expression are induced significantly (P < 0.05) by TNF-alpha in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This inductive effect was abolished while phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway was blocked by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and Wortmannin.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that TNF-alpha induces Lnk expression through PI3K-dependent signaling pathway in HUVEC. This may indicate a role for this new adaptor protein in the regulation of TNF-alpha-induced ECs activation.

Cytokines regulate postnatal hematopoietic stem cell expansion: opposing roles of thrombopoietin and LNK

The role of cytokines as regulators of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion remains elusive. Herein, we identify thrombopoietin (THPO) and the cytokine signaling inhibitor LNK, as opposing physiological regulators of HSC expansion. Lnk(-/-) HSCs continue to expand postnatally, up to 24-fold above normal by 6 mo of age. Within the stem cell compartment, this expansion is highly selective for self-renewing long-term HSCs (LT-HSCs), which show enhanced THPO responsiveness. Lnk(-/-) HSC expansion is dependent on THPO, and 12-wk-old Lnk(-/-)Thpo(-/-) mice have 65-fold fewer LT-HSCs than Lnk(-/-) mice. Expansions of multiple myeloid, but not lymphoid, progenitors in Lnk(-/-) mice also proved THPO-dependent.

Stem cell factor expression, mast cells and inflammation in asthma

The Kit ligand SCF or stem cell factor (SCF) is a multipotent growth factor, acting as an important growth factor for human mast cells. SCF induces chemotaxis and survival of the mast cell, as well as proliferation and differentiation of immature mast cells from CD34(+) progenitors. Additionally, SCF enhances antigen-induced degranulation of human lung-derived mast cells, and induces a mast cell hyperplasia after subcutaneous administration. SCF expression increases in the airways of asthmatic patients, and this is reversed after treatment with glucocorticoids. A role for SCF may thus be hypothesized in diseases associated with a local increase in the number and/or activation of mast cells, as occurring in the airways in asthma. SCF will be reviewed as a potential therapeutic target in asthma, to control the regulation of mast cell number and activation. We here report the main pathways of SCF synthesis and signalling, and its potential role on airway function and asthma.

Advances in hematopoietic stem cell research through mouse genetics

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Successful bone marrow transplantation involves migration of hematopoietic stem cells through the blood, entering the extravascular hematopoietic cords, lodging in the proper niche, and expanding and differentiating to produce large numbers of mature cells -- all without depletion of the stem cell pool. An additional variable in these processes is the age of both the donor bone marrow and the recipient. Basic stem cell biology and transplant biology aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms controlling these processes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mouse genetics is a frequently used tool that allows dissection of individual pathways that influence properties of hematopoietic stem cells. Recently, the conception of a niche has been expanded to include evidence for a vascular and an endosteal niche. Additionally, hematopoietic stem cell interactions within the niche have been further defined, documenting the importance of cell cycle, cell adhesion, response to cytokine stimulation and age-dependent functional changes. A new model for hematopoietic stem cell aging was proposed that supports the hypothesis that stem cell aging is at least partially due to an accumulation of DNA damage leading to exhaustion.

SUMMARY

This review focuses on the last year's progress using mouse genetics as a tool to study intrinsic mechanisms of hematopoietic stem cell biology.