Maintenance of Mouse Hematopoietic Stem Cells Ex Vivo by Reprogramming Cellular Metabolism Scientists show that treatment with alexidine dihydrochloride, an antibiotic and a selective inhibitor of the mitochondrial phosphatase Ptpmt1, which is crucial for the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), reprogrammed cellular metabolism from mitochondrial aerobic metabolism to glycolysis, resulting in a remarkable preservation of long-term HSCs ex vivo in part through hyperactivation of AMPK kinase. [Blood] Abstract Notch1 Acts via Foxc2 to Promote Definitive Hematopoiesis via Effects on Hemogenic Endothelium Investigators discovered that Notch induction enhances hematopoietic potential and promotes the specification of hemogenic endothelium in differentiating cultures of mouse embryonic stem cells, and identified Foxc2 as a highly upregulated transcript in the hemogenic endothelial population. [Blood] Abstract Enrichment of Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells Facilitates Transduction for Stem Cell Gene Therapy CD34+/CD38– cells were isolated from healthy cord blood CD34+ cells by fluorescence activated cell sorting and transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing an anti-sickling form of beta-globin. In vivo studies showed engraftment of transduced CD34+/CD38– cells when transplanted in competition with 100-fold more CD34+/CD38+ cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract Pak2 Regulates Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Proliferation, Survival and Differentiation Utilizing a conditional p21-activated kinase 2 (Pak2) knock out mouse model, researchers found that disruption of Pak2 in hematopoietic stem cells induced profound leukopenia and a mild macrocytic anemia. [Stem Cells] Abstract Enforced Expression of Hoxa5 in Hematopoietic Stem Cells Leads to Aberrant Erythropoiesis In Vivo Scientists show that increased expression of Hoxa5 in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) leads to aberrant erythropoiesis in vivo. Hoxa5 differentially modifies the cell cycle of HSCs and lineage committed progenitor cells, depending on the cellular context. [Cell Cycle] Abstract Single-Cell Mass Cytometry Reveals Intracellular Survival/Proliferative Signaling in FLT3-ITD-Mutated AML Stem/Progenitor Cells In a primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) sample, researchers investigated the cell responses to ex vivo stimulation with stem cell factor and BEZ235-induced inhibition of PI3K and identified activation patterns in multiple PI3K downstream signaling pathways including p-4EBP1, p-AKT, and p-S6, particularly in CD34+ subsets. [Cytometry A] Abstract CLINICAL RESEARCH Multicenter Experience in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Serious Complications of Common Variable Immunodeficiency Investigators sought to define the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Retrospective data were collected from 14 centers worldwide on patients with CVID receiving HSCT. [J Allergy Clin Immunol] Abstract Ofatumumab In Poor-Prognosis Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Phase IV, NonÂInterventional, Observational Study from The European Research Initiative on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Researchers report the largest retrospective, Phase IV non-interventional, observational study of ofatumumab therapy in heavily pre-treated patients with poor-prognosis chronic lymphocytic leukemia. [Haematologica] Abstract ASXL1 Mutations In Younger Adult Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Study of The German-Austrian Acute Myeloid Leukemia Study Group Investigators studied 1696 patients with acute myeloid leukemia for ASXL1 mutations and identified these mutations in 103 patients. ASXL1 mutations were associated with older age, male sex, secondary acute myeloid leukemia, and lower values for bone marrow and circulating blasts. [Haematologica] Abstract |