Role of p21(Cip1/Waf1) in cell-cycle exit of endomitotic megakaryocytes

Dual-Specificity Tyrosine Phosphorylation-Regulated Kinase 1B Inhibition Promotes Megakaryocyte Polyploidization and Platelet Production

Platelets are produced from mature megakaryocytes which undergo polyploidization and proplatelet formation. Cell-cycle regulation plays a crucial role in megakaryocyte terminal differentiation especially in polyploidization. Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1B (DYRK1B) controls cell-cycle progression in cancer cells. The objective of this study was to determine DYRK1B function in megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production. A DYRK1B knock-out mouse was generated with increased peripheral platelet count compared with the wild type mouse without affecting megakaryocyte numbers in bone marrow. Polyploidy and proplatelet formations were significantly enhanced when DYRK1B was depleted in vitro. DYRK1B inhibition promoted megakaryocyte maturation by simultaneously upregulating cyclin D1 and downregulating P27. Furthermore, there was platelet restoration in two mice disease models of transient thrombocytopenia. In summary, DYRK1B plays an important role in megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production by interacting with cyclin D1 and P27. DYRK1B inhibition has potential therapeutic value in transient thrombocytopenia treatment. Graphic Abstract.

Fetal vs adult megakaryopoiesis

Fetal and neonatal megakaryocyte progenitors are hyperproliferative compared with adult progenitors and generate a large number of small, low-ploidy megakaryocytes. Historically, these developmental differences have been interpreted as "immaturity." However, more recent studies have demonstrated that the small, low-ploidy fetal and neonatal megakaryocytes have all the characteristics of adult polyploid megakaryocytes, including the presence of granules, a well-developed demarcation membrane system, and proplatelet formation. Thus, rather than immaturity, the features of fetal and neonatal megakaryopoiesis reflect a developmentally unique uncoupling of proliferation, polyploidization, and cytoplasmic maturation, which allows fetuses and neonates to populate their rapidly expanding bone marrow and blood volume. At the molecular level, the features of fetal and neonatal megakaryopoiesis are the result of a complex interplay of developmentally regulated pathways and environmental signals from the different hematopoietic niches. Over the past few years, studies have challenged traditional paradigms about the origin of the megakaryocyte lineage in both fetal and adult life, and the application of single-cell RNA sequencing has led to a better characterization of embryonic, fetal, and adult megakaryocytes. In particular, a growing body of data suggests that at all stages of development, the various functions of megakaryocytes are not fulfilled by the megakaryocyte population as a whole, but rather by distinct megakaryocyte subpopulations with dedicated roles. Finally, recent studies have provided novel insights into the mechanisms underlying developmental disorders of megakaryopoiesis, which either uniquely affect fetuses and neonates or have different clinical presentations in neonatal compared with adult life.

Polyploidy in development and tumor models in Drosophila

Polyploidy, a cell status defined as more than two sets of genomic DNA, is a conserved strategy across species that can increase cell size and biosynthetic production, but the functional aspects of polyploidy are nuanced and vary across cell types. Throughout Drosophila developmental stages (embryo, larva, pupa and adult), polyploid cells are present in numerous organs and help orchestrate development while contributing to normal growth, well-being and homeostasis of the organism. Conversely, increasing evidence has shown that polyploid cells are prevalent in Drosophila tumors and play important roles in tumor growth and invasiveness. Here, we summarize the genes and pathways involved in polyploidy during normal and tumorigenic development, the mechanisms underlying polyploidization, and the functional aspects of polyploidy in development, homeostasis and tumorigenesis in the Drosophila model.

Dual role of EZH2 on megakaryocyte differentiation

EZH2, the enzymatic component of PRC2, has been identified as a key factor in hematopoiesis. EZH2 loss of function mutations have been found in myeloproliferative neoplasms, more particularly in myelofibrosis, but the precise function of EZH2 in megakaryopoiesis is not fully delineated. Here, we show that EZH2 inhibition by small molecules and shRNA induces MK commitment by accelerating lineage marker acquisition without change in proliferation. Later in differentiation, EZH2 inhibition blocks proliferation, polyploidization and decreases proplatelet formation. EZH2 inhibitors similarly reduce MK polyploidization and proplatelet formation in vitro and platelet level in vivo in a JAK2V617F background. In transcriptome profiling, the defect in proplatelet formation was associated with an aberrant actin cytoskeleton regulation pathway, whereas polyploidization was associated with an inhibition of expression of genes involved in DNA replication and repair, and an upregulation of CDK inhibitors, more particularly CDKN1A and CDKN2D. The knockdown of CDKN1A and at a lesser extend of CDKN2D could partially rescue the percentage of polyploid MKs. Moreover, H3K27me3 and EZH2 ChIP assays revealed that only CDKN1A is a direct EZH2 target while CDKN2D expression is not directly regulated by EZH2 suggesting that EZH2 controls MK polyploidization directly through CDKN1A and indirectly through CDKN2D.

Human cell polyploidization: The good and the evil

Therapeutic resistance represents a major cause of death for most lethal cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms of such resistance have remained unclear. The polyploid cells are due to an increase in DNA content, commonly associated with cell enlargement. In human, they play a variety of roles in physiology and pathologic conditions and perform the specialized functions during development, inflammation, and cancer. Recent work shows that cancer cells can be induced into polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) that leads to reprogramming of surviving cancer cells to acquire resistance. In this article, we will review the polyploidy involved in development and inflammation, and the process of PGCCs formation and propagation that benefits to cell survival. We will discuss the potential opportunities in fighting resistant cancers. The increased knowledge of PGCCs will offer a completely new paradigm to explore the therapeutic intervention for lethal cancers.

Trp53 regulates platelets in bone marrow via the PI3K pathway

The p53 gene is well known as a key tumor suppressor gene; it is vital for hematopoietic stem cell differentiation and growth. In the present study, the change of platelets (PLTs) in p53 knockout mice (p53^-/- mice) was investigated. The peripheral blood cell subsets and PLT parameters in p53^-/-mice were compared with those in age-matched p53^+/+ mice. Bleeding time as well as the alteration of PLT levels, were analyzed with the PLT marker CD41 antibody using flow cytometry. The results revealed that the number of PLTs in p53^-/- mice was significantly lower than that in p53^+/+ mice. Bleeding time was prolonged in the peripheral blood of p53^-/- mice compared with that of p53^+/+ mice. Furthermore, the related gene expression of the PI3K signaling pathway in the bone marrow of p53^-/- mice was shown to be associated with plateletogenesis. PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) was also used to treat p53^-/- mice, and the results demonstrated that LY294002 revert the change of PLTs in these mice. In summary, PLTs were altered in p53^-/- mice, and the PI3K signaling pathway was involved in that process, suggesting that the p53-dependent PI3K signaling pathway is involved in thrombocytopenia or PLT diseases. PLT number is reduced in p53 deficiency; however, this reduction could be reverted by inhibiting the PI3K pathway.

Megakaryocyte polyploidization: role in platelet production

Mammal megakaryocytes (MK) undergo polyploidization during their differentiation. This process leads to a marked increase in the MK size and of their cytoplasm. Contrary to division by classical mitosis, ploidization allows an economical manner to produce platelets as they arise from the fragmentation of the MK cytoplasm. The platelet production in vivo correlates to the entire MK cytoplasm mass that depends both upon the number of MKs and their size. Polyploidization occurs by several rounds of DNA replication with at the end of each round an aborted mitosis at late phase of cytokinesis. As there is also a defect in karyokinesis, MKs are giant cells with a single polylobulated nucleus with a 2^xN ploidy. However, polyploidization per se does not increase platelet production because it requires a parallel development of MK organelles such as mitochondria, granules and the demarcation membrane system. MK polyploidization is regulated by extrinsic factors, more particularly by thrombopoietin (TPO), which during a platelet stress increases first polyploidization before enhancing the MK number and by transcription factors such as RUNX1, GATA1, and FLI1 that regulate MK differentiation explaining why polyploidization and cytoplasmic maturation are intermingled. MK polyploidization is ontogenically regulated and is markedly altered in malignant myeloid disorders such as acute megakaryoblastic leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders as well as in hereditary thrombocytopenia, more particularly those involving transcription factors or signaling pathways. In addition, MKs arising from progenitors in vitro have a much lower ploidy in vitro than in vivo leading to a low yield of platelet production in vitro. Thus, it is tempting to find approaches to increase MK polyploidization in vitro. However, these approaches require molecules that are able to simultaneously increase MK polyploidization and to induce terminal differentiation. Here, we will focus on the regulation by extrinsic and intrinsic factors of MK polyploidization during development and pathological conditions.

The Multifaceted p21 (Cip1/Waf1/CDKN1A) in Cell Differentiation, Migration and Cancer Therapy

Loss of cell cycle control is characteristic of tumorigenesis. The protein p21 is the founding member of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors and an important versatile cell cycle protein. p21 is transcriptionally controlled by p53 and p53-independent pathways. Its expression is increased in response to various intra- and extracellular stimuli to arrest the cell cycle ensuring genomic stability. Apart from its roles in cell cycle regulation including mitosis, p21 is involved in differentiation, cell migration, cytoskeletal dynamics, apoptosis, transcription, DNA repair, reprogramming of induced pluripotent stem cells, autophagy and the onset of senescence. p21 acts either as a tumor suppressor or as an oncogene depending largely on the cellular context, its subcellular localization and posttranslational modifications. In the present review, we briefly mention the general functions of p21 and summarize its roles in differentiation, migration and invasion in detail. Finally, regarding its dual role as tumor suppressor and oncogene, we highlight the potential, difficulties and risks of using p21 as a biomarker as well as a therapeutic target.

C3G, through its GEF activity, induces megakaryocytic differentiation and proplatelet formation

BACKGROUND

Megakaryopoiesis allows platelet formation, which is necessary for coagulation, also playing an important role in different pathologies. However, this process remains to be fully characterized. C3G, an activator of Rap1 GTPases, is involved in platelet activation and regulates several differentiation processes.

METHODS

We evaluated C3G function in megakaryopoiesis using transgenic mouse models where C3G and C3GΔCat (mutant lacking the GEF domain) transgenes are expressed exclusively in megakaryocytes and platelets. In addition, we used different clones of K562, HEL and DAMI cell lines with overexpression or silencing of C3G or GATA-1.

RESULTS

We found that C3G participates in the differentiation of immature hematopoietic cells to megakaryocytes. Accordingly, bone marrow cells from transgenic C3G, but not those from transgenic C3GΔCat mice, showed increased expression of the differentiation markers CD41 and CD61, upon thrombopoietin treatment. Furthermore, C3G overexpression increased the number of CD41⁺ megakaryocytes with high DNA content. These results are supported by data obtained in the different models of megakaryocytic cell lines. In addition, it was uncovered GATA-1 as a positive regulator of C3G expression. Moreover, C3G transgenic megakaryocytes from fresh bone marrow explants showed increased migration from the osteoblastic to the vascular niche and an enhanced ability to form proplatelets. Although the transgenic expression of C3G in platelets did not alter basal platelet counts, it did increase slightly those induced by TPO injection in vivo. Moreover, platelet C3G induced adipogenesis in the bone marrow under pathological conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

All these data indicate that C3G plays a significant role in different steps of megakaryopoiesis, acting through a mechanism dependent on its GEF activity.

CDK1 inhibition facilitates formation of syncytiotrophoblasts and expression of human Chorionic Gonadotropin

AIMS

The human placental syncytiotrophoblast (STB) cells play essential roles in embryo implantation and nutrient exchange between the mother and the fetus. STBs are polyploid which are formed by fusion of diploid cytotrophoblast (CTB) cells. Abnormality in STBs formation can result in pregnancy-related disorders. While a number of genes have been associated with CTB fusion the initial events that trigger cell fusion are not well understood. Primary objective of this study was to enhance our understanding about the molecular mechanism of placental cell fusion.

METHODS

FACS and microscopic analysis was used to optimize Forskolin-induced fusion of BeWo cells (surrogate of CTBs) and subsequently, changes in the expression of different cell cycle regulator genes were analyzed through Western blotting and qPCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the first trimester placental tissue sections to validate the results in the context of placental tissue. Effect of Cyclin Dependent Kinase 1 (CDK1) inhibitor, RO3306, on BeWo cell fusion was studied by microscopy and FACS, and by monitoring the expression of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) by Western blotting and qPCR.

RESULTS

The data showed that the placental cell fusion was associated with down regulation of CDK1 and its associated cyclin B, and significant decrease in DNA replication. Moreover, inhibition of CDK1 by an exogenous inhibitor induced placental cell fusion and expression of hCG.

CONCLUSION

Here, we report that the placental cell fusion can be induced by inhibiting CDK1. This study has a high therapeutic significance to manage pregnancy related abnormalities.

Noninvasive low-level laser therapy for thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is a common hematologic disorder that is managed primarily by platelet transfusions. We report here that noninvasive whole-body illumination with a special near-infrared laser cures acute thrombocytopenia triggered by γ-irradiation within 2 weeks in mice, as opposed to a 5-week recovery time required in controls. The low-level laser (LLL) also greatly accelerated platelet regeneration in the presence of anti-CD41 antibody that binds and depletes platelets, and prevented a severe drop in platelet count caused by a common chemotherapeutic drug. Mechanistically, LLL stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis specifically in megakaryocytes owing to polyploidy of the cells. LLL also protected megakaryocytes from mitochondrial injury and apoptosis under stress. The multifaceted effects of LLL on mitochondria bolstered megakaryocyte maturation; facilitated elongation, branching, and formation of proplatelets; and doubled the number of platelets generated from individual megakaryocytes in mice. LLL-mediated platelet biogenesis depended on megakaryopoiesis and was inversely correlated with platelet counts, which kept platelet biogenesis in check and effectively averted thrombosis even after repeated uses, in sharp contrast to all current agents that stimulate the differentiation of megakaryocyte progenitors from hematopoietic stem cells independently of platelet counts. This safe, drug-free, donor-independent modality represents a paradigm shift in the prophylaxis and treatment of thrombocytopenia.

Small Molecule Supplements Improve Cultured Megakaryocyte Polyploidization by Modulating Multiple Cell Cycle Regulators

Platelets (PLTs) are produced by megakaryocytes (MKs) that completed differentiation and endomitosis. Endomitosis is an important process in which the cell replicates its DNA without cytokinesis and develops highly polyploid MK. In this study, to gain a better PLTs production, four small molecules (Rho-Rock inhibitor (RRI), nicotinamide (NIC), Src inhibitor (SI), and Aurora B inhibitor (ABI)) and their combinations were surveyed as MK culture supplements for promoting polyploidization. Three leukemia cell lines as well as primary mononuclear cells were chosen in the function and mechanism studies of the small molecules. In an optimal culture method, cells were treated with different small molecules and their combinations. The impact of the small molecules on megakaryocytic surface marker expression, polyploidy, proliferation, and apoptosis was examined for the best MK polyploidization supplement. The elaborate analysis confirmed that the combination of SI and RRI together with our MK induction system might result in efficient ploidy promotion. Our experiments demonstrated that, besides direct downregulation on the expression of cytoskeleton protein actin, SI and RRI could significantly enhance the level of cyclins through the suppression of p53 and p21. The verified small molecule combination might be further used in the in vitro PLT manufacture and clinical applications.

Imetelstat, a telomerase inhibitor, differentially affects normal and malignant megakaryopoiesis

Imetelstat (GRN163L) is a specific telomerase inhibitor that has demonstrated clinical activity in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and in patients with solid tumors. The antitumor effects were associated with the development of thrombocytopenia, one of the common side effects observed in patients treated with imetelstat. The events underlying these adverse effects are not apparent. In this report, we investigated the potential mechanisms that account for imetelstat's beneficial effects in MPN patients and the manner by which imetelstat treatment leads to a reduction in platelet numbers. Using a well-established system of ex vivo megakaryopoiesis, we demonstrated that imetelestat treatment affects normal megakaryocyte (MK) development by exclusively delaying maturation of MK precursor cells. By contrast, additional stages along MPN MK development were affected by imetelstat resulting in reduced numbers of assayable colony-forming unit MK and impaired MK maturation. In addition, treatment with imetelstat inhibited the secretion of fibrogenic growth factors by malignant but not by normal MK. Our results indicate that the delay observed in normal MK maturation may account for imetelstat-induced thrombocytopenia, while the more global effects of imetelstat on several stages along the hierarchy of MPN megakaryopoiesis may be responsible for the favorable clinical outcomes reported in MPN patients.

Uncoupling of the Hippo and Rho pathways allows megakaryocytes to escape the tetraploid checkpoint

Megakaryocytes are naturally polyploid cells that increase their ploidy by endomitosis. However, very little is known regarding the mechanism by which they escape the tetraploid checkpoint to become polyploid. Recently, it has been shown that the tetraploid checkpoint was regulated by the Hippo-p53 pathway in response to a downregulation of Rho activity. We therefore analyzed the role of Hippo-p53 pathway in the regulation of human megakaryocyte polyploidy. Our results revealed that Hippo-p53 signaling pathway proteins are present and are functional in megakaryocytes. Although this pathway responds to the genotoxic stress agent etoposide, it is not activated in tetraploid or polyploid megakaryocytes. Furthermore, Hippo pathway was observed to be uncoupled from Rho activity. Additionally, polyploid megakaryocytes showed increased expression of YAP target genes when compared to diploid and tetraploid megakaryocytes. Although p53 knockdown increased both modal ploidy and proplatelet formation in megakaryocytes, YAP knockdown caused no significant change in ploidy while moderately affecting proplatelet formation. Interestingly, YAP knockdown reduced the mitochondrial mass in polyploid megakaryocytes and decreased expression of PGC1α, an important mitochondrial biogenesis regulator. Thus, the Hippo pathway is functional in megakaryocytes, but is not induced by tetraploidy. Additionally, YAP regulates the mitochondrial mass in polyploid megakaryocytes.

Megakaryopoiesis and platelet production: insight into hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) undergo successive lineage commitment steps to generate megakaryocytes (MKs) in a process referred to as megakaryopoiesis. MKs undergo a unique differentiation process involving endomitosis to eventually produce platelets. Many transcription factors participate in the regulation of this complex progress. Chemokines and other factors in the microenvironment where megakaryopoiesis and platelet production occur play vital roles in the regulation of HSC lineage commitment and MK maturation; among these factors, thrombopoietin (TPO) is the most important. Endomitosis is a vital process of MK maturation, and granules that are formed in MKs are important for platelet function. Proplatelets are firstly generated from mature MKs and then become platelets. The proplatelet production process was verified by novel studies that revealed that the mechanism is partially regulated by the invaginated membrane system (IMS), microtubules and Rho GTPases. The extracellular matrices (ECMs) and shear stress also affect and regulate the process while the mature MKs migrate from the marrow to the sub-endothelium region near the venous sinusoids leading to the release of platelets into the circulation. This review describes the entire process of megakaryopoiesis in detail, illustrates both the transcriptional and microenvironmental regulation of MKs and provides insight into platelet biogenesis.

Promoted megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells through oxidative stress caused by near ultraviolet irradiation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proven to be important activators for various cellular activities, including cell differentiation. Several reports showed the necessity of ROS during cell differentiation of the megakaryocytic (MK) lineage. In this study, we employed near ultraviolet (near-UV) irradiation to generate endogenous oxidative stress in an MK differentiation process of K562 cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induction. A significant increase in the intracellular ROS level was detected on day 1 after near-UV irradiation. In the initial stage of differentiation, a shifted fraction of G1 and G2 phase cells was obtained using near-UV irradiation, giving an increased percentage of G2 phase cells (up from 31.1 to 68.7%). The near-UV irradiation-induced upregulation of the p21 gene, which is a cell cycle inhibitor, suggested that the G2 phase cells were prevented from undergoing cell division. It was found that the percentage of high ploidy (8N and 16N) cells was enhanced significantly at the later stage of the K562 cell culture with near-UV irradiation. Moreover, time-lapse analysis showed that near-UV irradiation encouraged the expression of CD41, a specific surface marker of megakaryocytes. This is the first report that the elevated oxidative stress through the near-UV irradiation promoted the MK differentiation of PMA-induced K562 cells.

Cytoplasmic localization of p21 protects trophoblast giant cells from DNA damage induced apoptosis

Proliferating trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) can differentiate into nonproliferating but viable trophoblast giant cells (TGCs) that are resistant to DNA damage induced apoptosis. Differentiation is associated with selective up-regulation of the Cip/Kip cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p57 and p21; expression of p27 remains constant. Previous studies showed that p57 localizes to the nucleus in TGCs where it is essential for endoreplication. Here we show that p27 also remains localized to the nucleus during TSC differentiation where it complements the role of p57. Unexpectedly, p21 localized to the cytoplasm where it was maintained throughout both the G- and S-phases of endocycles, and where it prevented DNA damage induced apoptosis. This unusual status for a Cip/Kip protein was dependent on site-specific phosphorylation of p21 by the Akt1 kinase that is also up-regulated in TGCs. Although cytoplasmic p21 is widespread among cancer cells, among normal cells it has been observed only in monocytes. The fact that it also occurs in TGCs reveals that p57 and p21 serve nonredundant functions, and suggests that the role of p21 in suppressing apoptosis is restricted to terminally differentiated cells.

Activation of p53 by the MDM2 inhibitor RG7112 impairs thrombopoiesis

The tumor suppressor p53 is thought to play a role in megakaryocyte (MK) development. To assess the influence of the p53 regulatory pathway further, we studied the effect of RG7112, a small molecule MDM2 antagonist that activates p53 by preventing its interaction with MDM2, on normal megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production. This drug has been previously been evaluated in clinical trials of cancer patients where thrombocytopenia was one of the major dose-limiting toxicities. In this study, we demonstrated that administration of RG7112 in vivo in rats and monkeys results in thrombocytopenia. In addition, we identified two distinct mechanisms by which RG7112-mediated activation of p53 affected human megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production in vitro. RG7112 promoted apoptosis of MK progenitor cells, resulting in a reduction of their numbers and RG7112 affected mature MK by blocking DNA synthesis during endomitosis and impairing platelet production. Together, the disruption of these events provides an explanation for RG7112-induced thrombocytopenia and insight into the role of the p53-MDM2 auto-regulatory loop in normal megakaryocytopoiesis.

Overexpression of nuclear distribution protein (hNUDC) causes pro-apoptosis and differentiation in Dami megakaryocytes

OBJECTIVES

Overexpression of hNUDC, a member of the nuclear distribution protein family, reduces cell population growth in prostate cancer cell lines, concurrent with induced morphological change and enhanced polyploidization. These phenomena are also closely associated with terminal phases of megakaryocyte maturation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In Dami cells, MTT and trypan blue assays were used to investigate cell viability and proliferation effects of hNUDC, and flow cytometry was used to analyse cell cycle and DNA content. Real-time RT-PCR was employed to detect mRNA expression. Activations of caspase-3, ERK, Akt and Stat-5 were determined by immunoblotting. May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining was performed to reveal cell morphology.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Functional studies using adenovirus-mediated hNUDC overexpression led to inhibition of megakaryocyte proliferation via cell cycle arrest in G2/M transition phase. This process could have been be mediated by upregulation of p21 and downregulation of its downstream targets, including cyclin B1, cyclin B2 and c-myc. Enhanced apoptosis in turn ensued, characterized by increased caspase-3 activation, upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Furthermore, hNUDC overexpression elevated the level of megakaryocyte maturation, associated with increased polyploidy, cell morphological changes and increased expression of cell surface differentiation markers, including CD10, CD44, CD41 and CD61. Our results further suggest that the ERK signalling pathway was involved in hNUDC overexpression-induced apoptosis. Taken together, this study provides experimental evidence for overexpression of hNUDC in Dami cells and suggests that activation of apoptotic machinery may be involved in megakaryocytic differentiation.

The evolving role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the normophysiology of hematopoiesis

In addition to its role as a toxicological signal mediator, the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) is also a transcription factor known to regulate cellular responses to oxidative stress and inflammation through transcriptional regulation of molecules involved in the signaling of nucear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), p53 (TRP53), retinoblastoma (RB1), and NFκB. Recent research suggests that AHR activation of these signaling pathways may provide the molecular basis for understanding AHR's evolving role in endogenous developmental functions during hematopoietic stem-cell maintenance and differentiation. Recent developments into the hematopoietic roles for AHR are reviewed, aiming to reconcile divergent findings as to the endogenous function of AHR in hematopoiesis. Potential mechanistic explanations for AHR's involvement in hematopoietic differentiation are discussed, focusing on its known role as a cell cycle mediator and its interactions with Hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 alpha (HIF1-α). Understanding the physiological mechanisms of AHR activation and signaling have far reaching implications ranging from explaining the action of various toxicological agents to providing novel ways to expand stem cell populations ex vivo for use in transplant therapies.

Proposed megakaryocytic regulon of p53: the genes engaged to control cell cycle and apoptosis during megakaryocytic differentiation

During endomitosis, megakaryocytes undergo several rounds of DNA synthesis without division leading to polyploidization. In primary megakaryocytes and in the megakaryocytic cell line CHRF, loss or knock-down of p53 enhances cell cycling and inhibits apoptosis, leading to increased polyploidization. To support the hypothesis that p53 suppresses megakaryocytic polyploidization, we show that stable expression of wild-type p53 in K562 cells (a p53-null cell line) attenuates the cells' ability to undergo polyploidization during megakaryocytic differentiation due to diminished DNA synthesis and greater apoptosis. This suggested that p53's effects during megakaryopoiesis are mediated through cell cycle- and apoptosis-related target genes, possibly by arresting DNA synthesis and promoting apoptosis. To identify candidate genes through which p53 mediates these effects, gene expression was compared between p53 knock-down (p53-KD) and control CHRF cells induced to undergo terminal megakaryocytic differentiation using microarray analysis. Among substantially downregulated p53 targets in p53-KD megakaryocytes were cell cycle regulators CDKN1A (p21) and PLK2, proapoptotic FAS, TNFRSF10B, CASP8, NOTCH1, TP53INP1, TP53I3, DRAM1, ZMAT3 and PHLDA3, DNA-damage-related RRM2B and SESN1, and actin component ACTA2, while antiapoptotic CKS1B, BCL2, GTSE1, and p53 family member TP63 were upregulated in p53-KD cells. Additionally, a number of cell cycle-related, proapoptotic, and cytoskeleton-related genes with known functions in megakaryocytes but not known to carry p53-responsive elements were differentially expressed between p53-KD and control CHRF cells. Our data support a model whereby p53 expression during megakaryopoiesis serves to control polyploidization and the transition from endomitosis to apoptosis by impeding cell cycling and promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, we identify a putative p53 regulon that is proposed to orchestrate these effects.

Cyclic AMP signaling inhibits megakaryocytic differentiation by targeting transcription factor 3 (E2A) cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A) transcriptional axis

Signaling via the intracellular second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) has long been implicated in the repression of megakaryocytic differentiation. However, the mechanisms by which cAMP signaling impairs megakaryopoiesis have never been elucidated. In a human CD34(+) cell culture model, we show that the adenylyl cyclase agonist forskolin inhibits megakaryocytic differentiation in a protein kinase A-dependent manner. Using this system to screen for downstream effectors, we identified the transcription factor E2A as a key target in a novel repressive signaling pathway. Specifically, forskolin acting through protein kinase A-induced E2A down-regulation and enforced expression of E2A overrode the inhibitory effects of forskolin on megakaryopoiesis. The dependence of megakaryopoiesis on critical thresholds of E2A expression was confirmed in vivo in haploinsufficient mice and ex vivo using shRNA knockdown in human progenitors. Using a variety of approaches, we further identified p21 (encoded by CDKN1A) as a functionally important megakaryopoietic regulator residing downstream of E2A. These results thus implicate the E2A-CDKN1A transcriptional axis in the control of megakaryopoiesis and reveal the lineage-selective inhibition of this axis as a likely mechanistic basis for the inhibitory effects of cAMP signaling.

Role of tumor suppressor p53 in megakaryopoiesis and platelet function

The pathobiological role of p53 has been widely studied, however, its role in normophysiology is relatively unexplored. We previously showed that p53 knock-down increased ploidy in megakaryocytic cultures. This study aims to examine the effect of p53 loss on in vivo megakaryopoiesis, platelet production, and function, and to investigate the basis for greater ploidy in p53(-/-) megakaryocytic cultures. Here, we used flow cytometry to analyze ploidy, DNA synthesis, and apoptosis in murine cultured and bone marrow megakaryocytes following thrombopoietin administration and to analyze fibrinogen binding to platelets in vitro. Culture of p53(-/-) marrow cells for 6 days with thrombopoietin gave rise to 1.7-fold more megakaryocytes, 26.1% ± 3.6% of which reached ploidy classes ≥64 N compared to 8.2% ± 0.9% of p53(+/+) megakaryocytes. This was due to 30% greater DNA synthesis in p53(-/-) megakaryocytes and 31% greater apoptosis in p53(+/+) megakaryocytes by day 4 of culture. Although the bone marrow and spleen steady-state megakaryocytic content and ploidy were similar in p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) mice, thrombopoietin administration resulted in increased megakaryocytic polyploidization in p53(-/-) mice. Although their platelet counts were normal, p53(-/-) mice exhibited significantly longer bleeding times and p53(-/-) platelets were less sensitive than p53(+/+) platelets to agonist-induced fibrinogen binding and P-selectin secretion. In summary, our in vivo and ex vivo studies indicate that p53 loss leads to increased polyploidization during megakaryopoiesis. Our findings also suggest for the first time a direct link between p53 loss and the development of fully functional platelets resulting in hemostatic deficiencies.

SCL-mediated regulation of the cell-cycle regulator p21 is critical for murine megakaryopoiesis

Megakaryopoiesis is a complex process that involves major cellular and nuclear changes and relies on controlled coordination of cellular proliferation and differentiation. These mechanisms are orchestrated in part by transcriptional regulators. The key hematopoietic transcription factor stem cell leukemia (SCL)/TAL1 is required in early hematopoietic progenitors for specification of the megakaryocytic lineage. These early functions have, so far, prevented full investigation of its role in megakaryocyte development in loss-of-function studies. Here, we report that SCL critically controls terminal megakaryocyte maturation. In vivo deletion of Scl specifically in the megakaryocytic lineage affects all key attributes of megakaryocyte progenitors (MkPs), namely, proliferation, ploidization, cytoplasmic maturation, and platelet release. Genome-wide expression analysis reveals increased expression of the cell-cycle regulator p21 in Scl-deleted MkPs. Importantly, p21 knockdown-mediated rescue of Scl-mutant MkPs shows full restoration of cell-cycle progression and partial rescue of the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation defects. Therefore, SCL-mediated transcriptional control of p21 is essential for terminal maturation of MkPs. Our study provides a mechanistic link between a major hematopoietic transcriptional regulator, cell-cycle progression, and megakaryocytic differentiation.

Down-regulation of the RUNX1-target gene NR4A3 contributes to hematopoiesis deregulation in familial platelet disorder/acute myelogenous leukemia

RUNX1 encodes a DNA-binding α subunit of the core-binding factor, a heterodimeric transcription factor. RUNX1 is a master regulatory gene in hematopoiesis and its disruption is one of the most common aberrations in acute leukemia. Inactivating or dominant-negative mutations in the RUNX1 gene have been also identified in pedigrees of familial platelet disorders with a variable propensity to develop acute myeloid leukemia (FPD/AML). We performed analysis of hematopoiesis from 2 FPD/AML pedigrees with 2 distinct RUNX1 germline mutations, that is, the R139X in a pedigree without AML and the R174Q mutation in a pedigree with AML. Both mutations induced a marked increase in the clonogenic potential of immature CD34(+)CD38(-) progenitors, with some self-renewal capacities observed only for R174Q mutation. This increased proliferation correlated with reduction in the expression of NR4A3, a gene previously implicated in leukemia development. We demonstrated that NR4A3 was a direct target of RUNX1 and that restoration of NR4A3 expression partially reduced the clonogenic potential of patient progenitors. We propose that the down-regulation of NR4A3 in RUNX1-mutated hematopoietic progenitors leads to an increase in the pool of cells susceptible to be hit by secondary leukemic genetic events.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) transcription factor regulates megakaryocytic polyploidization

We propose that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a novel transcriptional regulator of megakaryopoietic polyploidization. Functional evidence was obtained that AHR impacts in vivo megakaryocytic differentiation and maturation; compared to wild-type mice, AHR-null mice had lower platelet counts, fewer numbers of newly synthesized platelets, increased bleeding times and lower-ploidy megakaryocytes (Mks). AHR mRNA increased 3·6-fold during ex vivo megakaryocytic differentiation, but reduced or remained constant during parallel isogenic granulocytic or erythroid differentiation. We interrogated the role of AHR in megakaryopoiesis using a validated Mk model of megakaryopoiesis, the human megakaryoblastic leukaemia CHRF cell line. Upon CHRF Mk differentiation, AHR mRNA and protein levels increased, AHR protein shifted from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and AHR binding to its consensus DNA binding sequence increased. Protein and mRNA levels of the AHR transcriptional target HES1 also increased. Mk differentiation of CHRF cells where AHR or HES1 was knocked-down using RNAi resulted in lower ploidy distributions and cells that were incapable of reaching ploidy classes ≥16n. AHR knockdown also resulted in increased DNA synthesis of lower ploidy cells, without impacting apoptosis. Together, these data support a role for AHR in Mk polyploidization and in vivo platelet function, and warrant further detailed investigations.

Transgenic, inducible RNAi in megakaryocytes and platelets in mice

BACKGROUND

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for suppressing gene function. The tetracycline (tet)-regulated expression system has recently been adapted to allow inducible RNAi in mice, however its efficiency in a particular cell type in vivo depends on a transgenic tet transactivator expression pattern and is often highly variable.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to establish a transgenic strategy that allows efficient and inducible gene knockdown in particular hematopoietic lineages in mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using a tet-regulated reporter gene strategy, we found that transgenic mice expressing the rtTA (tet-on) transactivator under control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (CMV-rtTA mice) display inducible reporter gene expression with unusual and near-complete efficiency in megakaryocytes and platelets. To test whether the CMV-rtTA transgene can drive inducible and efficient gene knockdown within this lineage, we generated a novel mouse strain harboring a tet-regulated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Bcl-x(L) , a pro-survival Bcl-2 family member known to be essential for maintaining platelet survival. Doxycycline treatment of adult mice carrying both transgenes induces shRNA expression, depletes Bcl-x(L) in megakaryocytes and triggers severe thrombocytopenia, whereas doxycycline withdrawal shuts off shRNA expression, normalizes Bcl-x(L) levels and restores platelet numbers. These effects are akin to those observed with drugs that target Bcl-x(L) , clearly demonstrating that this transgenic system allows efficient and inducible inhibition of genes in megakaryocytes and platelets.

CONCLUSIONS

We have established a novel transgenic strategy for inducible gene knockdown in megakaryocytes and platelets that will be useful for characterizing genes involved in platelet production and function in adult mice.

Aurora B is dispensable for megakaryocyte polyploidization, but contributes to the endomitotic process

Polyploidization of megakaryocytes (MKs), the platelet precursors, occurs by endomitosis, a mitotic process that fails at late stages of cytokinesis. Expression and function of Aurora B kinase during endomitosis remain controversial. Here, we report that Aurora B is normally expressed during the human MK endomitotic process. Aurora B localized normally in the midzone or midbody during anaphase and telophase in low ploidy megakaryocytes and in up to 16N rare endomitotic MKs was observed. Aurora B was also functional during cytokinesis as attested by phosphorylation of both its activation site and MgcRacGAP, its main substrate. However, despite its activation, Aurora B did not prevent furrow regression. Inhibition of Aurora B by AZD1152-HQPA decreased cell cycle entry both in 2N to 4N and polyploid MKs and induced apoptosis mainly in 2N to 4N cells. In both MK classes, AZD1152-HQPA induced p53 activation and retinoblastoma hypophosphorylation. Resistance of polyploid MKs to apoptosis correlated to a high BclxL level. Aurora B inhibition did not impair MK polyploidization but profoundly modified the endomitotic process by inducing a mis-segregation of chromosomes and a mitotic failure in anaphase. This indicates that Aurora B is dispensable for MK polyploidization but is necessary to achieve a normal endomitotic process.

A senescence-like cell-cycle arrest occurs during megakaryocytic maturation: implications for physiological and pathological megakaryocytic proliferation

Thrombopoietin (TPO) via signaling through its cognate receptor MPL is a key cytokine involved in the regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation leading to platelet production. Mature megakaryocytes are polyploid cells that have arrested DNA replication and cellular proliferation but continue sustained protein synthesis. Here, we show that TPO induces cell-cycle arrest in the megakaryocytic UT7-MPL cell line by the activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway, induction of p21CIP transcription, and senescence markers through EGR1 activation. A similar senescence-like process was also detected in normal primary postmitotic megakaryocytes. In contrast, senescence was not observed in malignant megakaryocytes derived from primary myelofibrosis patients (a form of chronic myeloid hemopathy). Our data indicate that polyploid mature megakaryocytes receive signals from TPO to arrest cell proliferation and enter a senescent-like state. An escape from this physiological process may be associated with certain myeloproliferative neoplasms leading to abnormal megakaryocytic proliferation.

Uterine-specific p53 deficiency confers premature uterine senescence and promotes preterm birth in mice

Many signaling pathways that contribute to tumorigenesis are also functional in pregnancy, although they are dysregulated in the former and tightly regulated in the latter. Transformation-related protein 53 (Trp53), which encodes p53, is a tumor suppressor gene whose mutation is strongly associated with cancer. However, its role in normal physiological processes, including female reproduction, is poorly understood. Mice that have a constitutive deletion of Trp53 exhibit widespread development of carcinogenesis at early reproductive ages, compromised spermatogenesis, and fetal exencephaly, rendering them less amenable to studying the role of p53 in reproduction. To overcome this obstacle, we generated mice that harbor a conditional deletion of uterine Trp53 and examined pregnancy outcome in females with this genotype. These mice had normal ovulation, fertilization, and implantation; however, postimplantation uterine decidual cells showed terminal differentiation and senescence-associated growth restriction with increased levels of phosphorylated Akt and p21, factors that are both known to participate in these processes in other systems. Strikingly, uterine deletion of Trp53 increased the incidence of preterm birth, a condition that was corrected by oral administration of the selective COX2 inhibitor celecoxib. We further generated evidence to suggest that deletion of uterine Trp53 induces preterm birth through a COX2/PGF synthase/PGF(2alpha) pathway. Taken together, our observations underscore what we believe to be a new critical role of uterine p53 in parturition.

MAL/SRF complex is involved in platelet formation and megakaryocyte migration by regulating MYL9 (MLC2) and MMP9

Megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MAL) is a transcriptional coactivator of serum response factor (SRF). In acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, the MAL gene is translocated and fused with the gene encoding one twenty-two (OTT). Herein, we show that MAL expression increases during the late differentiation steps of neonate and adult human megakaryopoiesis and localized into the nucleus after Rho GTPase activation by adhesion on collagen I or convulxin. MAL knockdown in megakaryocyte progenitors reduced the percentage of cells forming filopodia, lamellipodia, and stress fibers after adhesion on the same substrates, and reduced proplatelet formation. MAL repression led to dysmorphic megakaryocytes with disorganized demarcation membranes and alpha granules heterogeneously scattered in the cytoplasm. Gene expression profiling revealed a marked decrease in metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and MYL9 expression after MAL inhibition. Luciferase assays in HEK293T cells and chromatin immunoprecipitation in primary megakaryocytes showed that the MAL/SRF complex directly regulates MYL9 and MMP9 in vitro. Megakaryocyte migration in response to stromal cell-derived factor 1, through Matrigel was considerably decreased after MAL knockdown, implicating MMP9 in migration. Finally, the use of a shRNA to decrease MYL9 expression showed that MYL9 was involved in proplatelet formation. MAL/SRF complex is thus involved in platelet formation and megakaryocyte migration by regulating MYL9 and MMP9.

Cip/Kip cyclin-dependent protein kinase inhibitors and the road to polyploidy

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) play a central role in the orderly transition from one phase of the eukaryotic mitotic cell division cycle to the next. In this context, p27Kip1 (one of the CIP/KIP family of CDK specific inhibitors in mammals) or its functional analogue in other eukarya prevents a premature transition from G1 to S-phase. Recent studies have revealed that expression of a second member of this family, p57Kip2, is induced as trophoblast stem (TS) cells differentiate into trophoblast giant (TG) cells. p57 then inhibits CDK1 activity, an enzyme essential for initiating mitosis, thereby triggering genome endoreduplication (multiple S-phases without an intervening mitosis). Expression of p21Cip1, the third member of this family, is also induced in during differentiation of TS cells into TG cells where it appears to play a role in suppressing the DNA damage response pathway. Given the fact that p21 and p57 are unique to mammals, the question arises as to whether one or both of these proteins are responsible for the induction and maintenance of polyploidy during mammalian development.

p21(waf1/cip1) deficiency does not perturb the intestinal crypt stem cell population after massive small bowel resection

BACKGROUND

After small bowel resection (SBR), adaptation is initiated in intestinal crypts where stem cells reside. Prior studies revealed SBR-induced enterocyte proliferation requires the expression of p21(waf1/cip1). As deficient expression of p21(waf1/cip1) has been shown to result in reduced numbers of hematopoietic stem cells. We sought to test the hypothesis that p21(waf1/cip1)deficiency similarly perturbs the intestinal stem cell population after SBR.

METHODS

Control (n = 21; C57Bl/6) and p21(waf1/cip1)-null mice (n = 30) underwent 50% proximal SBR or sham operation. After 3 days, the ileum was harvested and the crypt stem cell population evaluated by counting crypt base columnar cells on histologic sections, determining the expression of Musashi-1 and Lgr5, and profiling the transcriptional expression of 84 known stem cell genes.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in crypt base columnar cells, expression of Musashi-1 or Lgr5, or in stem cell gene expression after SBR in control mice. Furthermore, there were no differences in these markers between controls and p21(waf1/cip1)-null mice.

CONCLUSION

In contrast with bone marrow stem cells, the stem cell population of the gut is unaffected by deficient expression of p21(waf1/cip1). Additional mechanisms for the role of p21(waf1/cip1) in small bowel proliferation and adaptation after massive SBR must be considered.

Developmentally programmed endoreduplication in animals

Development of a fertilized egg into an adult human requires trillions of cell divisions, the vast majority of which duplicate their genome once and only once. Nevertheless, trophoblast giant cells and megakaryocytes in mammals circumvent this rule by duplicating their genome multiple times without undergoing cell division, a process generally referred to as 'endoreduplication'. In contrast, arthropods such as Drosophila endoreduplicate their genome in most larval tissues, as well as in many adult tissues. Endoreduplication requires that cells prevent entrance into or completion of mitosis and cytokinesis under conditions that permit assembly of prereplication complexes. In addition, cells must prevent induction of apoptosis in response to incomplete DNA replication or DNA damage that may occur during the ensuing sequence of 'endocycles'. Thus, developmentally regulated endoreduplication results in terminal cell differentiation. Recent progress has revealed both differences and similarities in the mechanisms employed by flies and mammals to change from mitotic cell cycles to 'endocycles'. The critical step, however, appears to be switching from a CDK-dependent form of the anaphase promoting complex (APC) to one that functions only in the absence of CDK activity.

S6K1 is involved in polyploidization through its phosphorylation at Thr421/Ser424

Studies on polyploidization of megakaryocytes have been hampered by the lack of synchronized polyploid megakaryocytes. In this study, a relatively synchronized polyploid cell model was successfully established by employing Dami cells treated with nocodazole. In nocodazole-induced cells, cyclin B expression oscillated normally as in diploid cells and polyploid megakaryocytes. By using the nocodazole-induced Dami cell model, we found that 4E-BP1 and Thr421/Ser424 of ribosomal S6 kinase 1(S6K1) were phosphorylated mostly at M-phase in cytoplasm and oscillated in nocodazole-induced polyploid Dami cells, concomitant with increased expression of p27 and cyclin D3. However, phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6K1 on Thr421/Ser424 was significantly decreased in differentiated Dami cells induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), concomitant with increased expression of cyclin D1 and p21 and cyclin D3. Overexpression of the kinase dead form of S6K1 containing the mutation Lys 100 --> Gln in PMA-induced Dami cells increased ploidy whereas overexpression of rapamycin-resistant form of S6K1 containing the mutations Thr421 --> Glu and Ser424 --> Asp significantly dephosphorylated 4E-BP1 and reduced expression of cyclin D1, cyclin D3, p21 and p27, and slightly decreased the ploidy of PMA-induced Dami cells, compared with treatment with PMA alone. Moreover, overexpression of rapamycin-resistant form of S6K1 significantly reversed polyploidization of nocodazole-induced Dami cells. Furthermore, MAP (a novel compound synthesized recently) partly blocked the phosphorylation of S6K1 on Thr421/Ser424 and decreased the expression of p27 and polyploidization in nocodazole-induced Dami cells. Taken together, these data suggested that S6K1/4E-BP1 pathway may play an important role in polyploidization of megakaryocytes.

Autophagy and autophagic cell death are next targets for elimination of the resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Autophagy, a cellular degradation system has been demonstrated in some hematopoietic malignant cell lines, but there is much still remaining to be known about its role and the mechanisms. We observed the excessive autophagy in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cell line, K562, associated with treatment of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which can induce K562 cells to differentiate into megakaryocytic lineage. Confocal microscopic analysis demonstrated that autophagic cells did not express a megakaryocyte marker, the CD41 molecule, indicating that the autophagy was independent of megakaryocytic differentiation. After remarkable autophagic degradation, the cells finally underwent autophagic cell death (APCD). On the other hand, a block of TPA-induced autophagy by chloroquine rapidly promoted cell death that was not APCD. This result suggested that autophagy regulated two mechanisms in K562 cells: both the cell survival system and APCD. To confirm that autophagy regulates the cell survival system in K562 cells, imatinib was used to induce cell death in K562 cells. Autophagy has not been considered during imatinib treatment; nonetheless, co-treatment with imatinib and chloroquine markedly enhanced imatinib-induced cell death, compared to K562 cells treated only with imatinib. Furthermore, imatinib-resistant cell lines, BaF3/T315I and BaF3/E255K, also underwent cell death by co-treatment with imatinib and chloroquine. From these data, we concluded that autophagy is deeply related to the cell survival system and that inhibition of autophagy accelerates TPA- or imatinib-induced cell death. The block of autophagy could be a new strategy in the treatment of CML.

A retroviral mutagenesis screen reveals strong cooperation between Bcl11a overexpression and loss of the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene

NF1 inactivation occurs in specific human cancers, including juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, an aggressive myeloproliferative disorder of childhood. However, evidence suggests that Nf1 loss alone does not cause leukemia. We therefore hypothesized that inactivation of the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene requires cooperating mutations to cause acute leukemia. To search for candidate genes that cooperate with Nf1 deficiency in leukemogenesis, we performed a forward genetic screen using retroviral insertion mutagenesis in Nf1 mutant mice. We identified 43 common proviral insertion sites that contain candidate genes involved in leukemogenesis. One of these genes, Bcl11a, confers a growth advantage in cultured Nf1 mutant hematopoietic cells and causes early onset of leukemia of either myeloid or lymphoid lineage in mice when expressed in Nf1-deficient bone marrow. Bcl11a-expressing cells display compromised p21(Cip1) induction, suggesting that Bcl11a's oncogenic effects are mediated, in part, through suppression of p21(Cip1). Importantly, Bcl11a is expressed in human chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia samples. A subset of AML patients, who had poor outcomes, of 16 clusters, displayed high levels of BCL11A in leukemic cells. These findings suggest that deregulated Bcl11a cooperates with Nf1 in leukemogenesis, and a therapeutic strategy targeting the BCL11A pathway may prove beneficial in the treatment of leukemia.

Tumor suppressor protein p53 regulates megakaryocytic polyploidization and apoptosis

The molecular mechanisms underlying differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into megakaryocytes are poorly understood. Tumor suppressor protein p53 can act as a transcription factor affecting both cell cycle control and apoptosis, and we have previously shown that p53 is activated during terminal megakaryocytic (Mk) differentiation of the CHRF-288-11 (CHRF) cell line. Here, we use RNA interference to reduce p53 expression in CHRF cells and show that reduced p53 activity leads to a greater fraction of polyploid cells, higher mean and maximum ploidy, accelerated DNA synthesis, and delayed apoptosis and cell death upon phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced Mk differentiation. In contrast, reduced p53 expression did not affect the ploidy or DNA synthesis of CHRF cells in the absence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation. Furthermore, primary Mk cells from cultures initiated with p53-null mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells displayed higher ploidy compared with wild-type controls. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis of p53-knockdown CHRF cells, compared with the "scrambled" control CHRF cells, revealed that six known transcriptional targets of p53 (BBC3, BAX, TP53I3, TP53INP1, MDM2, and P21) were down-regulated, whereas BCL2 expression, which is known to be negatively affected by p53, was up-regulated. These studies show that the functional role of the intrinsic activation of p53 during Mk differentiation is to control polyploidization and the transition to endomitosis by impeding cell cycling and promoting apoptosis.

P19INK4D links endomitotic arrest and megakaryocyte maturation and is regulated by AML-1

The molecular mechanisms that regulate megakaryocyte (MK) ploidization are poorly understood. Using MK differentiation from primary human CD34(+) cells, we observed that p19(INK4D) expression was increased both at the mRNA and protein levels during ploidization. p19(INK4D) knockdown led to a moderate increase (31.7% +/- 5%) in the mean ploidy of MKs suggesting a role of p19(INK4D) in the endomitotic arrest. This increase in ploidy was associated with a decrease in the more mature MK population (CD41(high)CD42(high)) at day 9 of culture, which was related to a delay in differentiation. Inversely, p19(INK4D) overexpression in CD34(+) cells resulted in a decrease in mean ploidy level associated with an increase in CD41 and CD42 expression in each ploidy class. Confirming these in vitro results, bone marrow MKs from p19(INK4D) KO mice exhibited an increase in mean ploidy level from 18.7N (+/- 0.58N) to 52.7N (+/- 12.3N). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays performed in human MKs revealed that AML-1 binds in vivo the p19(INK4D) promoter. Moreover, AML-1 inhibition led to the p19(INK4D) down-regulation in human MKs. These results may explain the molecular link at the transcriptional level between the arrest of endomitosis and the acceleration of MK differentiation.

Cyclin D-Cdk4 is regulated by GATA-1 and required for megakaryocyte growth and polyploidization

Endomitosis is a unique form of cell cycle used by megakaryocytes, in which the latter stages of mitosis are bypassed so that the cell can increase its DNA content and size. Although several transcription factors, including GATA-1 and RUNX-1, have been implicated in this process, the link between transcription factors and polyploidization remains undefined. Here we show that GATA-1-deficient megakaryocytes, which display reduced size and polyploidization, express nearly 10-fold less cyclin D1 and 10-fold increased levels of p16 compared with their wild-type counterparts. We further demonstrate that cyclin D1 is a direct GATA-1 target in megakaryocytes, but not erythroid cells. Restoration of cyclin D1 expression, when accompanied by ectopic overexpression of its partner Cdk4, resulted in a dramatic increase in megakaryocyte size and DNA content. However, terminal differentiation was not rescued. Of note, polyploidization was only modestly reduced in cyclin D1-deficient mice, likely due to compensation by elevated cyclin D3 expression. Finally, consistent with an additional defect conferred by increased levels of p16, inhibition of cyclin D-Cdk4 complexes with a TAT-p16 fusion peptide significantly blocked polyploidization of wild-type megakaryocytes. Together, these data show that GATA-1 controls growth and polyploidization by regulating cyclin D-Cdk4 kinase activity.

Cytokine and integrin stimulation synergize to promote higher levels of GATA-2, c-myb, and CD34 protein in primary human hematopoietic progenitors from bone marrow

We have previously shown that engagement of the integrins VLA-4 and VLA-5 to the fibronectin fragment CH-296 in combination with cytokines sustained the capacity of cultured human CD34(+) cells to undergo hematopoiesis in immunodeficient mice for 7 to 12 months, whereas this capacity was rapidly lost in cells cultured in suspension with the same cytokines. In the current study, we assessed the molecular pathways that might explain the loss of long-term engraftment capacity in cells cultured in suspension. Although the cell cycle profile was similar between cells cultured in suspension versus on fibronectin, levels of cell death were higher in the suspended cultures. While the CDK inhibitors p27Kip1 and p57Kip2 were present at equal levels in cells from both cultures, low levels of p21Cip1 were detectable only in the cytoplasmic compartment of cells cultured in suspension. Cytoplasmic location of p21Cip1 has been linked to monocytic differentiation. The levels of c-myb and GATA-2, transcription factors associated with stem cell maintenance, were higher in cells cultured on fibronectin as compared with suspension. In contrast, the levels of PU.1, which is induced during myeloid differentiation, were higher in cells cultured in suspension. There were no significant differences in surface expression of CD34 on the cells after culture, but total CD34 protein, assessed by immunoblotting, was significantly higher in cells cultured on fibronectin. Our data suggest that, in the presence of cytokines, the engagement of VLA-4 and VLA-5 integrins to the fibronectin fragment CH-296 preserves the expression of specific transcription factors associated with primitive stem cell maintenance. In contrast, a lack of integrin engagement leads to the induction of cellular markers associated with myeloid differentiation.

Tetraploidy/aneuploidy and stem cells in cancer promotion: The role of chromosome passenger proteins

While polyploidy, a state of having fully duplicated sets of chromosomes per cell, has been described in normally developing bone marrow megakaryocytes or as an adaptive response in other cell types, aneuploidy is never detected in normal cells. Tetraploidy or aneuploidy can be induced by several signals and it is highly prevalent in different forms of cancers, suggesting a role for this cell cycle state in promoting cellular transformation. Investigations suggested that loss of heterozygosity of cancer-related genes in stem cells might contribute to genetic instability in progeny cells and to subsequent cancer development. Deregulated expression of chromosome passenger proteins, such as Aurora kinases or Survivin, is a hallmark of various cancers, and experimentally induced changes in these regulators can promote tetraploidy or aneuploidy and loss of heterozygosity. Our studies described an induction of tetraploidy/aneuploidy by a stable form of Aurora-B, leading to acquisition of transformation properties. It is intriguing to speculate that in some cancers, tetraploidy/aneuploidy induced by deregulated expression of a mitotic regulator represents a primary event that leads to unbalanced expression of a cluster of crucial genes and to cellular transformation.

Differentiation of murine committed megakaryocytic progenitors isolated by a novel strategy reveals the complexity of GATA and Ets factor involvement in megakaryocytopoiesis and an unexpected potential role for GATA-6

OBJECTIVE

The differentiation of megakaryocytes is characterized by polyploidization and cytoplasmic maturation leading to platelet production. Studying these processes is hindered by the paucity of bone marrow megakaryocytes and their precursors. We describe a method for the expansion and purification of committed megakaryocyte progenitors and demonstrate their usefulness by studying changes in the expression of Ets and GATA family transcription factors throughout megakaryocytopoiesis.

METHODS

A two-step serum-free method was developed. Cells isolated using this method were analyzed for surface marker expression by flow cytometry, and for their ability to differentiate using single-cell culture. Purified progenitors were induced to differentiate and analyzed with respect to their ploidy by flow cytometry and expression of specific genes by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

A population of Lin- c-kit+ CD45+ CD41+ CD31+ CD34low CD9low FcgammaRII/IIIlow Sca-1med/low committed megakaryocyte progenitors was purified. These cells could be differentiated efficiently, achieving ploidy of up to 128N. Analysis of RNA demonstrated the expected increases in expression of key megakaryocyte-associated genes. RT-PCR analysis also revealed that a range of Ets and GATA factors are expressed, their individual levels and patterns of expression varying widely. Surprisingly, we find that GATA-6 is specifically expressed in late differentiated megakaryocytes and has the potential to regulate megakaryocyte-expressed genes in cooperation with Ets factors.

CONCLUSION

Purified primary megakaryocytic progenitors are able to differentiate as a cohort into fully mature megakaryocytes. The number of cells obtainable, and the synchrony of the differentiation process, facilitates analysis of the dynamics of molecular processes involved in megakaryocytopoiesis. The expression pattern of Ets and GATA family transcription factors reveals the complexity of the involvement of these key megakaryocytic regulators. The finding of GATA-6 expression and demonstration of its functional activity suggests a novel mechanism for the regulation of certain genes late in megakaryocytopoiesis.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates both proliferation of megakaryocyte progenitors and late stages of megakaryocyte differentiation

A major determinant in platelet production is the megakaryocyte (MK) size that is regulated both by ploidization and the increase in cytoplasmic volume at the end of maturation. Here we investigated the involvement of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the regulation of megakaryopoiesis. We show that phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K1, and 4E-BP1 was diminished in thrombopoietin-cultured human MKs after rapamycin treatment. Rapamycin induced an inhibition in the G1/S transition and a decrease in the mean MK ploidy via a diminution of p21 and cyclin D3 occurring at a transcriptional level. Both cycling (2N/4N) and polyploid (8N/16N) MKs were reduced in size, with a size reduction slightly more pronounced in mature polyploid MKs than in immature ones. Rapamycin also induced a delay in the expression of MK markers and prevented the generation of proplatelet MKs. Additional experiments performed in vitro with MKs from mutant mice showed that the decrease in mean ploidy level and the delay in MK differentiation in the presence of rapamycin were less pronounced in CdknIa (p21)–/– MKs than in CdknIa (p21)+/+ MKs. These findings indicate that the mTOR pathway plays an important role during megakaryopoiesis by regulating ploidy, cell size, and maturation, in part by regulating p21 and cyclin D3.

The expression of minichromosome maintenance protein-2 in normal and abnormal megakaryocytes and comparison with the proliferative marker Ki-67

The minichromosome maintenance (Mcm) and Cdc6 proteins are important regulators of eucaryotic DNA replication. In most normal tissues, a similar proportion of cells express Mcm-2 and Ki-67. The present study showed that in both normal and abnormal states, the proportion of megakaryocytes expressing Mcm-2 is roughly seven times as many as those that express Ki-67. This is likely to be related to the process of endomitosis and endoreduplication. We also demonstrated that a significantly lower proportion of megakaryocytes in myelodysplastic syndrome express Mcm-2. These findings provide new insights into megakaryocyte biology.

Differential requirements for survivin in hematopoietic cell development

Although erythroid cells and megakaryocytes arise from a common progenitor, their terminal maturation follows very different paths; erythroid cells undergo cell-cycle exit and enucleation, whereas megakaryocytes continue to progress through the cell cycle but skip late stages of mitosis to become polyploid cells. In our efforts to identify genes that participate in this process, we discovered that survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family that also has an essential role in cytokinesis, is differentially expressed during erythroid versus megakaryocyte development. Erythroid cells express survivin throughout their maturation, whereas megakaryocytes express approximately 4-fold lower levels of survivin mRNA and no detectable protein. To investigate the role of survivin in these lineages, we overexpressed or knocked down survivin from mouse bone marrow cells and then examined erythroid and megakaryocyte development. These studies revealed that overexpression of survivin antagonized megakaryocyte growth, maturation, and polyploidization but had no effect on erythroid development. This block in polyploidization was accompanied by increased expression of p21 and decreased expression of megakaryocyte genes such as von Willebrand factor and beta(1)-tubulin. In contrast, a reduction in survivin expression interfered with the formation of erythroid cells but not megakaryocytes. Last, consistent with the requirement for survivin in the survival of proliferating cells, survivin-deficient hematopoietic progenitors failed to give rise to either erythroid or megakaryocytic colonies. Together, these studies show that whereas survivin expression is essential for megakaryocyte and erythroid progenitors, its down-regulation is required for terminal differentiation of megakaryocytes.

Enforced expression of KDR receptor promotes proliferation, survival and megakaryocytic differentiation of TF1 progenitor cell line

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2/kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) is expressed in primitive hematopoietic cells, in megakaryocytes and platelets. In primitive hematopoiesis KDR mediates cell survival via autocrine VEGF, while its effect on cell growth and differentiation has not been elucidated. We induced enforced KDR expression in the granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-dependent TF1 progenitor cell line (TF1-KDR), treated the cells with VEGF and analyzed their response. In GM-CSF-deprived cells, VEGF induces cell proliferation and protection against apoptosis, followed by enhanced expression of megakaryocytic (MK) markers. Combined with GM-CSF, VEGF induces a mild proliferative stimulus, followed by cell adherence, accumulation in G0/G1, massive MK differentiation and Fas-mediated apoptosis. Accordingly, we observed that MK-differentiating cells, derived from hematopoietic progenitors, produce VEGF, express KDR, inhibition of which reduces MK differentiation, indicating a key role of KDR in megakaryopoiesis. In conclusion, TF1-KDR cells provide a reliable model to investigate the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying hematopoietic progenitor proliferation, survival and MK differentiation.