Hematopoiesis News Volume 4.40 | Oct 15 2013

Cross Talk between Wnt/β-Catenin and Irf8 in Leukemia Progression and Drug Resistance
Using mouse genetics and a BCR-ABL model of chronic myeloid leukemia, investigators observed cross talk between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the interferon-regulatory factor 8 (Irf8). [J Exp Med] Abstract

Pivotal Role of Pten in the Balance between Proliferation and Differentiation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Zebrafish
Researchers investigated if Pten is required for hematopoiesis. Analysis of zebrafish mutants lacking functional Pten revealed that hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells colonized the caudal hematopoietic tissue normally. [Blood] Abstract

Tgif1 Regulates Quiescence and Self-Renewal of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Investigators explored the role of TG-interacting factor-1 (Tgif1) in murine hematopoietic-stem-cell function. Colony-forming-unit (CFU) assays showed that Tgif1^-/- bone marrow cells produced more total colonies and had higher serial-CFU potential. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Migration after Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy in a Murine Model
Scientists aimed to characterize the recruitment of bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells within tumor microenvironment after radiation therapy in a murine, heterotopic tumor model. [Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys] Abstract

Expression of the TEL-Syk Fusion Protein in Hematopoietic Stem Cells Leads to Rapidly Fatal Myelofibrosis in Mice
Scientists demonstrated that TEL-Syk introduced into fetal liver hematopoietic cells, which are then adoptively transferred into lethally irradiated recipients, leads to an aggressive myelodysplasia with myelofibrosis that is lethal in mice by 60-75 days. [PLoS One] Abstract

MicroRNA-20b and ERK1/2 Pathway Independently Regulate the Expression of Tissue Factor in Hematopoietic and Trophoblastic Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators used the human embryonic stem cell (hESC) culture system to understand the molecular mechanisms by which tissue factor expression is regulated in hESC derived hematopoietic and trophoblastic cells. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

An Extensive Network of TET2-Targeting MicroRNAs Regulates Malignant Hematopoiesis
Researchers showed that Ten-Eleven-Translocation 2 (TET2) is under extensive microRNA (miRNA) regulation, and such TET2 targeting is an important pathogenic mechanism in hematopoietic malignancies. Using a high-throughput 3′ UTR activity screen, they identified >30 miRNAs that inhibit TET2 expression and cellular 5-hydroxylmethylcytosine. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Improved Outcome with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in a Poor Prognostic Subgroup of Patients with Mixed-Lineage-Leukemia (MLL)-Rearranged Acute Leukemia: Results from a Prospective, Multi-Center Study
Researchers aimed to define the role for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in MLL-rearranged acute leukemia which is now poorly understood. A prospective, multi-center cohort study to determine whether allo-HSCT could decrease relapse rates and improve long-term survival of MLL+ leukemia patients was performed. [Am J Hematol] Abstract

Bone Mineral Deficits in Recipients of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: The Impact of Young Age at Transplant
This cross-sectional study aimed to determine if patients treated with hematopoietic cell transplantation before the age of 10 years have long-term bone mineral density deficits compared with patients transplanted at an older age and with sibling controls. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Donor TLR9 Gene tagSNPs Influence Susceptibility to aGVHD and CMV Reactivation in the Allo-HSCT Setting without Polymorphisms in the TLR4 and NOD2 Genes
The authors evaluated the influence of ten candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the toll-like receptor (TLR)1, TLR2, TLR3, TLR8 and TLR9 genes on the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (allo-HSCT) in a Chinese population including 138 pairs of patients and unrelated donors and a second cohort of 102 pairs of patients and HLA-identical sibling donors. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Hematopoietic Specification from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Current Advances and Challenges toward De Novo Generation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
The author highlights the recent advances in understanding the molecular and cellular pathways leading to blood development from human pluripotent stem cells and discusses potential approaches that can be taken to facilitate the development of technologies for de novo production of hematopoietic stem cells. [Blood] Abstract

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

University Receives $26 Million for Leukemia Research
The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded two major grants totaling $26 million to leukemia researchers and physicians at Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. [Washington University in St. Louis] Press Release

Kiadis Pharma Secures Manufacturing Services Agreement for Its Phase II Clinical Program with Blood Cancer Treatment ATIR™ with the German Red Cross Blood Donor Service
Kiadis Pharma B.V. announced that a Services Agreement has been signed with the German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden-Wuerttemberg-Hessen (GRCBDS) whereby GRCBDS will provide pharmaceutical development and GMP manufacturing services for Kiadis Pharma’s ongoing Phase II clinical study with ATIR™. [Kiadis Pharma B.V.] Press Release

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

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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

Translational Clinician-Scientist – Stem Cell Transplantation (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Bioprocessing Technology Institute)

Faculty Positions – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cellular and Genetic Therapies for Hemoglobinopathies (Blood Systems Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanisms that Regulate Stem Cell Self-Renewal Using Mouse Blood-Forming Stem Cells (Columbia University)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Culture Media & Matrices (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.