Hematopoiesis News Volume 6.04 | Feb 3 2015

MERIT40 Deficiency Expands Hematopoietic Stem Cell Pools by Regulating Thrombopoietin Receptor Signaling
Lnk is an essential signaling adaptor protein that dampens signaling by the cytokine thrombopoietin to limit hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion. Scientists show that MERIT40, a core subunit of a Lnk-associated Lys63 deubiquitinating complex, attenuates HSC expansion. [Blood] Abstract

miR-24 Is Required for Hematopoietic Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
To determine if endogenous microRNA-24 (miR-24) is required for hematopoiesis, investigators antagonized miR-24 in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and performed in vitro differentiations. Suppression of miR-24 resulted in an inability to produce blood and hematopoietic progenitors from ESCs. [PLoS Genet]
Full Article

Hematopoiesis Specific Loss of Cdk2 and Cdk4 Results in Increased Erythrocyte Size and Delayed Platelet Recovery following Stress
Researchers used a conditional knockout mouse model to investigate the effect of combined loss of Cdk2 and Cdk4 in hematopoietic cells. Cdk2^fl/flCdk4^-/-vavCre mice are viable but displayed a significant increase in erythrocyte size. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article

ANGPTL7 Regulates the Expansion and Repopulation of Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells
The authors established a human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell-supportive mouse fetal liver cell line that specifically expressed the Angptl7 protein. They found ANGPTL7 is capable of stimulating human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell expansion and increasing the repopulation activities of human hematopoietic progenitors in xenografts. [Haematologica] Abstract

Are Changes in HLA Ags Responsible for Leukemia Relapse after HLA-Matched Allogeneic Hematopoietic SCT?
Researchers retrospectively HLA-typed leukemic blasts for 71 patients with AML/myelodysplastic syndrome obtained from stored samples and the results were compared with those obtained at diagnosis and/or before the transplant. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Whole-Body Proton Irradiation Causes Long-Term Damage to Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Mice
Investigators exposed C57BL/6J mice to 1.0 Gy whole-body proton irradiation and then studied the effects of proton radiation on hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow 22 weeks after the exposure. [Radiat Res] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Three-Year Efficacy, Overall Survival, and Safety of Ruxolitinib Therapy in Patients with Myelofibrosis from the COMFORT-I Study
In the Phase III COMFORT-I study, the Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib provided significant improvements in splenomegaly, key symptoms, and quality-of-life measures and was associated with an overall survival benefit relative to placebo in patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article

Absolute Lymphocyte Count Recovery after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Predicts Clinical Outcome
To determine the impact of absolute lymphocyte count recovery on clinical outcomes, investigators conducted a retrospective study of 1,109 adult patients who underwent a first allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

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

FDA Grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation to LentiGlobin for Treatment of Beta-Thalassemia Major
bluebird bio, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to LentiGlobin^® BB305 Drug Product for the treatment of transfusion-dependent patients with beta-thalassemia major. [bluebird bio, Inc.] Press Release

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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 community.

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Physiology and Pathophysiology (Kumamoto University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Targeted Gene Editing in Hematopoietic Stem Cells (University Medical Center Freiburg)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Genetic Engineering and Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (University of California – San Francisco)

Principal Scientist – Hematopoietic Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Positions – Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis (University of Copenhagen)

Research Associate – Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Leukemia (City of Hope)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Human T Cell Leukemia (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation Governing Cancer Cell Behavior (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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