CXCL12-Producing Vascular Endothelial Niches Control Acute T Cell Leukemia Maintenance Scientists demonstrated that T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells are in direct, stable contact with CXCL12-producing bone marrow stroma. Cxcl12 deletion from vascular endothelial, but not perivascular, cells impeded tumor growth, suggesting a vascular niche for T-ALL. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release Hematopoietic Signaling Mechanism Revealed from a Stem/Progenitor Cell Cistrome A GATA-2-binding, Gata2 intronic cis-element (+9.5) required for hematopoietic stem cell genesis in mice is mutated in a human immunodeficiency syndrome. Because +9.5 is the only cis-element known to mediate stem cell genesis, researchers devised a strategy to identify functionally comparable enhancers genome-wide. [Mol Cell] Abstract Targeting Leukemia Stem Cells In Vivo with ANTAGOMIR-126 Nanoparticles in Acute Myeloid Leukemia The authors hypothesized that microRNA (miR)-126 contributes to ‘stemness’ and is a viable target for eliminating the leukemia stem cell (LSC) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). They showed that miR-126 overexpression characterizes AML LSC-enriched cell subpopulations and contributes to LSC long-term maintenance and self-renewal. [Leukemia] Abstract Transdifferentiation of Erythroblasts to Megakaryocytes Using FLI1 and ERG Transcription Factors Several approaches to produce platelets from sources, such as haematopoietic stem cells and pluripotent stem cells, have been attempted but the system is extremely complicated, time-consuming and expensive. Researchers report a novel and simpler technology to obtain platelets using transdifferentiation of human bone marrow erythroblasts to megakaryocytes with overexpression of the FLI1 and ERG genes. [Thromb Haemost] Abstract Gaucher Disease-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Display Decreased Erythroid Potential and Aberrant Myelopoiesis Scientists differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients with types 1, 2, and 3 Gaucher disease to CD34+/CD45+/CD43+/CD143+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and examined their developmental potential. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract Comparative Long-term Effects of Interferon Alpha and Hydroxyurea on Human Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Researchers compared bone marrow serially obtained from myeloproliferative neoplasms patients before and during pegylated interferon α treatment against marrow serially obtained from patients on hydroxyurea. [Exp Hematol] Abstract MYST2 Acetyltransferase Expression and Histone H4 Lysine Acetylation Are Suppressed in AML Scientists identified MYST2, a core histone acetyltransferase, to be suppressed in blast cells from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients compared to non-malignant hematopoietic progenitor cells. Loss of MYST2 accelerated leukemic growth and colony formation, while forced expression of MYST2 induced H4K5 acetylation and suppressed hematopoietic progenitor cell growth. [Exp Hematol] Abstract The Genetic Landscape of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Frequency in Mice Investigators used a genome-wide association study strategy with the hybrid mouse diversity panel to identify the genetic determinants of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell frequency. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH High Graft CD8 Cell Dose Predicts Improved Survival and Enables Better Donor Selection in Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation with Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Researchers evaluated associations between graft T-cell doses and outcomes in 200 patients who underwent reduced-intensity conditioned allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation with a peripheral blood stem-cell graft. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract | Press Release The Impact of Repeated Autologous Infusion of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Patients with Liver Insufficiency Investigators assessed the clinical and biochemical effects of repeated stem cell infusion. Ninety patients with liver cirrhosis were randomized to receive either one session treatment or two sessions four months apart of autologous hematopoietic stem cells transplantation and a control group who received regular liver treatment. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article |