Altered Mesenchymal Niche Cells Impede Generation of Normal Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells in Leukemic Bone Marrow Researchers focused on murine bone mesenchymal stem cells and their supporting function for normal hematopoietic cells in Notch1-induced acute T cell lymphocytic leukemia mice. [Leukemia] Abstract Overlapping Requirements for Tet2 and Tet3 in Normal Development and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Emergence Investigators identified Tet2 and Tet3 as the major 5-methylcytosine dioxygenases in the zebrafish embryo and uncovered a combined requirement for Tet2 and Tet3 in hematopoietic stem cell emergence. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Targeted Sequencing Identifies Association between IL7R-JAK Mutations and Epigenetic Modulators in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia To determine the frequency and co-occurrence of mutations in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, investigators performed targeted re-sequencing of 115 genes across 155 diagnostic samples. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article MicroRNA-320a Acts as a Tumor Suppressor by Targeting BCR/ABL Oncogene in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia The authors found that microRNA (miR)-320a expression was reduced in K562 and in chronic myeloid leukemia cancer stem cells. They found that miR-320a inhibited K562 cell migration, invasion, proliferation and promoted apoptosis by targeting BCR/ABL oncogene. [Sci Rep] Full Article Hematopoietic Progenitors Are Required for Proper Development of Coronary Vasculature As a model for hematopoietic cell deficient animals, scientists used Runx1 knockout embryos and Vav1-cre; R26-DTA embryos, the latter of which genetically ablates 2/3 of CD45+ hematopoietic cells. Both Runx1 knockout embryos and Vav1-cre; R26-DTA embryos revealed disorganized, hypoplastic microvasculature of coronary vessels on section and whole-mount stainings. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract Promotion of Erythropoietic Differentiation in Hematopoietic Stem Cells by SOCS3 Knock-Down Researchers found that suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) knockdown induced erythroid expansion in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Conversely, Ectopic expression of SOCS3 in progenitor cells blocked erythroid expansion and erythroid colony formation of HSCs. [PLoS One] Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCH Risks and Benefits of Sex-Mismatched Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Differ by Conditioning Strategies Researchers evaluated outcomes of 1041 adult recipients at two centers between 2006 and 2013 and investigated how the effect of sex-mismatch differed in myeloablative, reduced-intensity, and non-myeloablative total lymphoid irradiation with anti-thymocyte globulin conditioning. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article Treosulfan-Based Conditioning Regimens for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children with Non-Malignant Diseases A retrospective analysis was performed of children registered in the EBMT database, who received treosulfan before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, to identify possible dose-related toxicity and determine the incidence of engraftment, treatment-related mortality and overall survival. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract Atorvastatin for the Prophylaxis of Acute Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD) in Patients Undergoing HLA-Matched Related Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) Researchers performed a Phase II study of atorvastatin for acute GvHD prophylaxis when given to allogeneic HSCT recipients and their HLA-matched sibling donors. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract |