Fatal Autoimmunity in Mice Reconstituted with Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells Encoding Defective FOXP3 One obstacle precluding the development of immune-disease specific “humanized” mice is that optimal adaptive immune responses in current strains have required implantation of autologous human thymic tissue. To address this issue, scientists developed a mouse strain that lacks murine major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) and instead expresses human MHCII DR1. [Blood] Abstract Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Regulate the Regeneration of Their Niche by Secreting Angiopoietin-1 Researchers systematically assessed the expression and function of Angiopoietin-1 (Angpt1) in bone marrow. Angpt1 was not expressed by osteoblasts. Angpt1 was most highly expressed by hematopoietic stem cells, and at lower levels by c-kit+ hematopoietic progenitors, megakaryocytes, and leptin receptor+ stromal cells. [eLife] Abstract | Full Article The Tetraspanin CD9 Participates in Dysmegakaryopoiesis and in Stroma Interactions in Primary Myelofibrosis Scientists investigated whether CD9 participated in the dysmegakaryopoiesis observed in patients and whether it is involved in the altered interplay between megakaryocytes and stromal cells. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article Conserved and Divergent Aspects of Human T-Cell Development and Migration in Humanized Mice Investigators compared conventional and non-conventional T-cell development in a neonatal chimera humanized mouse model with that seen in human fetal and neonatal thymus samples, and also examined the impact of a human HLA-A2 transgene expressed by the mouse stroma. They showed that developing human thymocytes engage in short, serial interactions with other human hematopoietic-derived cells. [Immunol Cell Biol] Full Article BCR/ABL Oncogene-Induced PI3K Signaling Pathway Leads to Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Pathogenesis by Impairing Immuno-Modulatory Function of Hemangioblasts The authors isolated fetal liver kinase-1-positive cells from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients and found they expressed BCR/ABL-specific CML oncogene. They examined their biological characteristics as well as immunological functions and further detected the possible molecular mechanism involved in the leukemia genesis. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH Subcutaneous versus Intravenous Bortezomib in Two Different Induction Therapies for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Interim Analysis from the Prospective GMMG-MM5 Trial Researchers investigated impact of subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib in the MM5 trial of the German-Speaking Myeloma Multicenter Group that compared bortezomib, doxorubicin, dexamethasone with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone induction therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Refractory Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: Outcome by Intensity of Conditioning There are currently two promising treatment strategies for high-risk Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) patients: the first involves the combination of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine and cytarabine; the other approach is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Investigators evaluated 87 patients with high-risk LCH who were transplanted between 1990 and 2013. [Br J Haematol] Abstract Age and Modified European LeukemiaNet Classification to Predict Transplant Outcomes: An Integrated Approach for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Researchers evaluated the prognostic significance of a modified European LeukemiaNet classification for patients with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation while in first complete remission. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract |