Hematopoiesis News Volume 4.30 | Aug 6 2013

CD34^– Cells at the Apex of the Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Hierarchy Have Distinctive Cellular and Molecular Signatures
The authors showed that the self-renewing Lin^–CD34^–CD38^–CD93^hi population contains cells that not only function as human hematopoietic stem cells, but can also be placed above the CD34⁺ populations in the hematopoietic hierarchy. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

miR-142-3p Controls the Specification of Definitive Hemangioblasts during Ontogeny
Researchers identified an essential role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in establishing the mesodermal lineage leading to both hematopoietic stem cells emergence and vasculogenesis and determine that a single miRNA, miR-142-3p, is primarily responsible for initiation of definitive hemangioblast specification. [Dev Cell]
Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Does not Deplete Normal Hematopoietic Stem Cells but Induces Cytopenias by Impeding Their Differentiation
Scientists investigated how acute myeloid leukemia (AML) affects hematopoiesis by quantifying residual normal hematopoietic subpopulations in the bone marrow of immunodeficient mice transplanted with human AML cells with a range of genetic lesions. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

MLL Fusion Protein-Driven Acute Myeloid Leukemia Is Selectively Inhibited by Targeted Disruption of the MLL-PAFc Interaction
Disruption of the MLL-Polymerase Associated Factor complex (PAFc) interaction selectively inhibits the proliferation of MLL leukemic cells without affecting cells transformed by an unrelated E2A-HLF fusion protein. Using in vivo hematopoietic reconstitution assays, researchers demonstrated that disruption of the MLL-PAFc does not alter normal hematopoietic stem cell function. [Blood] Abstract

Distinct Pathways Regulated by Menin and by MLL1 in Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Developing B-Cells
Investigators showed that rather than working together as a complex, menin and MLL1 regulate distinct pathways during normal hematopoiesis, particularly in hematopoietic stem cells and B-cells. They demonstrated the lack of genetic interaction between menin and MLL1 in steady-state or regenerative hematopoiesis and in B-cell differentiation despite the fact that MLL1 is critical for these processes. [Blood] Abstract

Dysregulated Hematopoiesis Caused by Mammary Cancer Is Associated with Epigenetic Changes and Hox Gene Expression in Hematopoietic Cells
The authors showed that mammary tumor growth is associated with defects in hematopoiesis leading to myeloproliferative-like disease (leukemoid reaction), anemia and disruption of the bone marrow stem/progenitor compartment. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Deletion of Irf5 Protects Hematopoietic Stem Cells from DNA Damage-Induced Apoptosis and Suppresses γ-Irradiation-Induced Thymic Lymphomagenesis
To date, no studies have been performed to elucidate the in vivo role of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) in tumorigenesis. Given its essential role in DNA damage-induced apoptosis, scientists explored the tumor suppressor function of IRF5 in γ-irradiation-induced thymic lymphomagenesis. [Oncogene] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Systemic Mature T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Outcomes of 241 patients (112 anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, 102 peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified, 27 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma) undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) or allogeneic HCT were analyzed. Primary outcomes were nonrelapse mortality, relapse/progression, progression-free survival, and overall survival. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

Autologous Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cell Vaccination Early after Transplant Induces Leukemia-Specific T Cells
Researchers conducted a prospective clinical trial to test whether vaccination with whole leukemia cells early after transplantation facilitates the expansion of leukemia-reactive T cells and thereby enhances antitumor immunity. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Press Release

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the hematopoiesis research field.

Christiana Care Health System Partners with CORD:USE to Help New Mothers Donate their Newborn’s Cord Blood
Christiana Care Health System has partnered with CORD:USE to ensure that mothers are educated and provided a safe and effective way to donate their babies’ cord blood. This cord blood is used for treating patients with life-threatening diseases and in biomedical research. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

From our sponsor: Learn about assays for cord blood. Download the free technical bulletin.

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Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the hematopoiesis research community.

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoiesis (Lund Stem Cell Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Associates – Stem Cell Biology (University of Illinois at Chicago)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Stem Cell Biology and Hematopoiesis (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

NEW Tenure-Track Position – Cell Biologist (McGill University)

NEW Postdoctoral Appointee – Cell Cycle Regulation in Tumor Stem Cells (Rutgers University, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Postdoctoral Position – Computational Analysis of Genome-Wide Data of Normal and Malignant Blood Cells (University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Stem Cell Biology (McGill University)

Research Associate (Assistant Professor) – Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (The University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Hematology/Pharmacology (Thomas Jefferson University, Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

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