Surface morphology of bone marrow lymphocytes. I. Scanning electron microscopy of small lymphocytes bone marrow and spleen

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the mouse bone marrow show differential expression of interferon regulatory factors IRF-1 and IRF-2

BACKGROUND

Interferon regulatory factors (IRF-1 and IRF-2) are transcription factors widely implicated in various cellular processes, including regulation of inflammatory responses to pathogens, cell proliferation, oncogenesis, differentiation, autophagy, and apoptosis.

METHODS

We have studied the expression of IRF-1, IRF-2 mRNAs by RT-PCR, cellular localization of the proteins by immunofluorescence, and expression of mRNAs of genes regulated by IRF-1, IRF-2 by RT-PCR in mouse bone marrow cells (BMCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

RESULTS

Higher level of IRF-1 mRNA was observed in BMCs and MSCs compared to that of IRF-2. Similarly, differential expression of IRF-1 and IRF-2 proteins was observed in BMCs and MSCs. IRF-1 was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm, whereas IRF-2 was localized in the nuclei of BMCs. MSCs showed nucleo-cytoplasmic distribution of IRF-1 and nuclear localization of IRF-2. Constitutive expression of IRF-1 and IRF-2 target genes: monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and caspase-1 was observed in both BMCs and MSCs. MSCs showed constitutive expression of the pluripotency-associated factors, Oct3/4 and Sox-2. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treatment of MSCs induced prominent cellular localization of IRF-1 and IRF-2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that IRF-1 and IRF-2 exhibit differential expression of their mRNAs and subcellular localization of the proteins in BMCs and MSCs. These cells also show differential levels of constitutive expression of IRF-1 and IRF-2 target genes. This may regulate immune-responsive properties of BMCs and MSCs through IRF-1, IRF-2-dependent gene expression and protein-protein interaction. Regulating IRF-1 and IRF-2 may be helpful for immunomodulatory functions of MSCs for cell therapy and regenerative medicine.

Genesis of B lymphocytes in the bone marrow: extravascular and intravascular localization of surface IgM-bearing cells in mouse bone marrow detected by electron-microscope radioautography after in vivo perfusion of 125I anti-IgM antibody

The role of mammalian bone marrow in generating surface IgM (sIgM)-bearing B lymphocytes is reviewed. Precursor cells in the marrow give rise to large, rapidly dividing cells bearing free cytoplasmic mu chains (c mu). The progeny of the large c mu+ cells form a population of small, nondividing c mu+ cells that mature into small lymphocytes, progressively expressing sIgM and other B-cell surface membrane components. Newly formed sIgM+ cells soon migrate through the bloodstream to the spleen and other lymphoid tissues, where they may die after a short lifespan or be activated to produce antibody molecules. The large-scale lymphocytopoiesis in the bone marrow thus maintains a population of rapidly renewed virgin B lymphocytes in the peripheral lymphoid tissues. This process continuously creates and selects B cell clones with the wide range of antibody specificities necessary to mediate primary humoral immune responses through postnatal life. A technique for perfusing radiolabeled anti-IgM antibodies in young mice has now permitted sIgM+ cells to be detected radioautographically in histological preparations of bone marrow under the electron microscope. Small sIgM+ lymphocytes are situated either singly or in small groups throughout the extravascular hemopoietic compartment of the bone marrow, often near sinusoid walls adjacent to late erythroblasts and reticular cells. Some regional concentrations of sIgM+ cells are apparent. sIgM+ cells also appear in transit through the sinusoidal endothelium and are markedly concentrated in the lumen of some sinusoids. Intrasinusoidal sIgM+ small lymphocytes have high densities of sIgM and long microvilli, on which sIgM molecules are concentrated. These studies reveal the localization and cell associations of specifically identified sIgM+ small lymphocytes in the extravascular marrow compartment and suggest that these cells may also undergo a transient intravascular storage and maturation phase. Use of this in vivo immunolabeling technique to detect other cell-surface markers may further elucidate the microenvironmental basis of B lymphocyte genesis in the bone marrow.