Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Hematopoietic stem cell niche'

The local microenvironment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow -referred to as stem cell niche- is thought to regulate the balance of stem cell maintenance and differentiation by a complex interplay of extrinsic signals including spatial constraints, extracellular matrix (ECM) components and cell-cell interactions. To dissect the role of niche ECM components, a set of well-defined matrix biomolecular coatings including fibronectin, laminin, collagen IV, tropocollagen I, heparin, heparan sulphate, hyaluronic acid and co-fibrils of collagen I with heparin or hyaluronic acid were prepared and analyzed with respect to adhesive interactions of human CD133+ HSCs in vitro. ECM molecule dependent adhesion areas as well as fractions of adherent HSCs were assessed by reflection interference contrast microscopy and differential interference contrast microscopy. HSCs, so far mostly classified as suspension cells, exhibited intense adhesive interactions with fibronectin, laminin, collagen IV, heparin, heparan sulphate, and collagen I based co-fibrils. An integrin mediated adhesion on fibronectin and a L-selectin mediated adhesion on heparin pointed to specific interactions based on different adhesion mechanisms. As a consequence of HSC adhesion to molecules of the vascular and the endosteal regions, both regions were confirmed as possible stem cell niches and adhesive signals were suggested as potential regulators of stem cell fate. Furthermore, the impact of a spatially organized ECM on the HSC behavior was analyzed by single cell tracking. These studies required the development of engineered three-dimensional, ECM coated microcavities with the option for single cell tracking. A semi-automated cell-tracking tool was established to accelerate data access from time-lapse image sequences. From this analysis it was possible to reveal the genealogy, localization, morphology and migration of single HSCs over a time period of 4 days. A decreased cycling frequency was observed depending on the HSC localization in the spatially constraining microcavities. Besides the revealed impact of spatial constraints on HSC fate, the newly engineered ECM-coated microcavity setup and the semi-automated cell tracking tool provide new options to study the cell fate in engineered microenvironments at single cell level for other cell types ex vivo
Die lokale Mikroumgebung von Blutstammzellen (BSZ) im Knochenmark, bezeichnet als Stammzellnische, reguliert das Gleichgewicht von Stammzellerhaltung und -differenzierung durch ein komplexes Zusammenspiel von extrinsischen Signalen wie räumliche Beschränkungen, Komponenten der extrazellulären Matrix (EZM) und Zell-Zell Wechselwirkungen. Um die Rolle der EZM-Komponenten zu analysieren, wurden definierte Beschichtungen von Fibronektin, Laminin, Kollagen IV, monomerem Kollagen I, Heparin, Heparan Sulphat, Hyaluronsäure und Co-Fibrillen aus Kollagen I und Heparin oder Hyaluronsäure hergestellt und in vitro bezüglich der adhäsiven Wechselwirkungen von humanen CD133+ BSZ untersucht. Die Adhäsionsflächen und der Anteil adhärenter Zellen wurden in Abhängigkeit von der EZM-Beschichtung mittels Reflexions- Interferenz-Kontrast-Mikroskopie und Differentieller Interferenz Kontrast Mikroskopie bestimmt. BSZ, bisher als Suspensionszellen definiert, zeigten intensive adhäsive Wechselwirkungen mit Fibronektin, Laminin, Kollagen IV, Heparin, Heparan Sulphat und den Co-Fibrillen. Eine Integrin abhängige Adhäsion auf Fibronektin und eine L-Selektin abhängige Adhäsion auf Heparin, wiesen auf spezifische Wechselwirkungen hin, die auf unterschiedlichen Mechanismen basieren. Aufgrund der Adhäsion von BSZ sowohl zu Molekülen der vaskulären als auch der endostealen Knochenmarkregion, wurden beide Bereiche als mögliche Stammzellnische bestätigt. Adhäsive Signale sind potentielle Regulatoren der Stammzellentwicklung. Im Weiteren wurde der Einfluss einer räumlich beschränkenden EZM auf das Verhalten der BSZ durch Einzelzellverfolgung untersucht. Diese Studien erforderten die Entwicklung von dreidimensionalen EZM-beschichteten Mikrokavitäten, die das Verfolgen einzelner Zellen ermöglichten. Es wurde ein halbautomatischer Algorithmus für die Zellverfolgung etabliert, um die Datengenerierung von den Zeitreihenaufnahmen zu beschleunigen. Die Analysen ermöglichten Aussagen über die Genealogie, Lokalisierung, Morphologie und Migration einzelner BSZ während einer Analysenzeit von 4 Tagen. Eine verringerte Zellteilungsaktivität wurde in Abhängigkeit von der BSZ Lokalisierung innerhalb der räumlich einschränkenden Mikrokavitäten festgestellt. Neben diesen Erkenntnissen bieten die entwickelten Mikrokavitäten und die etablierte Einzelzellverfolgung neue Möglichkeiten auch andere Zelltypen auf Einzelzellniveau ex vivo zu untersuchen

As graft source for lymphoma or leukemia treatment, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) have been the focus of translational medicine for decades. HSPCs are defined by their self-renewing capacity and their ability to give rise to all mature blood cells. They are found anchored to a specialized microenvironment in the bone marrow (BM) called the hematopoietic niche. HSPCs can be enriched by sorting them based on the presence of the surface antigen CD34 before clinical or tissue engineering use. As these cells represent a minority in most graft sources and the amount of applicable cells is limited, ex vivo expansion-cultures were established using cytokine cocktails or small molecules. However, in vitro culture of HSPCs as suspension-cultures result in heterogeneous cell populations with undefined cellular identities. In the BM niche, HSPCs are not exclusively maintained by cytokines but also by cell-matrix adhesions mediated by integrins (ITGs). Thus, β1 and β2 ITGs were found to promote initial contact of HSPCs with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and ITGβ3 expression was shown to be a marker for long-term repopulating HSPCs in vivo. Consequently, ex vivo remodeling of the BM niche using co-cultures of HSPCs and niche cells like MSCs came into spotlight and was proven to be a promising tool for stem cell expansion. However, in clinical and research applications, direct contact of two cell populations necessitates HSPC post-culture purification. To address these problems, we established a novel culture method for remodeling the BM extra cellular stroma in vitro wherein we used decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds derived from immortalized mesenchymal stromal cells (SCP-1). Such scaffolds were found to be highly reproducible and served as in vitro niche for HSPCs by being more effective for the expansion of CD34+ cells, compared to classical suspension cultures. ECMs were shown to consist of multiple proteins including fibronectins, collagens, and a major niche chemokine responsible for BM homing and retention of HSPCs in vivo, namely, stromal derived factor 1 (SDF-1). SDF-1 is known to be secreted by MSCs and is anchored to matrix proteins. This reveals that ECM scaffolds produced by SCP-1 cells are a naïve reconstructed microenvironment. When CD34+ cells were seeded, only around 20% of the cells adhered to the provided ECM scaffold. These cells recognized SDF-1 via C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR-4), as shown by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Thus, adhesive sides as they are present in the BM niche are provided. However, CD34+ cells isolated from G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood of healthy donors were found to be heterogenous with respect to adhesion capacity. Nonetheless, it was similar to HSPC co-cultures with SCP-1 cells as feeder layer. Therefore, we separated and analyzed two cell fractions, the adherent (AT-cells) and the non- adherent supernatant (SN-cells) cells. Other signals provided by the BM extracellular stroma to HSPCs are physical cues that control HSPC fate. HSPCs sense these physical features through focal contacts and accordingly remodel their morphological and biomechanical properties. Using real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC) to uncover biomechanical phenotypes of freshly isolated HSPCs, SN-cells, AT-cells, and classical suspension cultured HSPCs in plastic culture dishes (PCD) were analyzed. We found freshly isolated cells to be less deformable and small. AT-cells displayed actin polymerization to stress fibers, and exhibited a stiffer mechanical phenotype compared to PCD-cultured or SN-cells. This might constitute the first hint of functional adaptation. Integrins are known to establish mechanosensing focal contacts. Thus, we analyzed ITG surface expression and identified ITGαIIb, ITGαV, and ITGβ3 to be enriched on AT-cells compared to freshly isolated cells or SN-cells. Active integrins need to form heterodimers consisting of one α- and one β subunit. Interestingly, the identified ITGs exclusively interact with each other to form RGD peptide receptors. RGD is a tripeptide consisting of the amino acids arginine, glycine, and aspartic acid and was identified as an adhesion sequence within fibronectin and other extracellular proteins. Consequently, we could confirm an important role for ITGαVβ3 in HSPC- ECM interaction with respect to adhesion and migration. However, we also identified ITGβ3 expression on a subset of CD34+ cells either freshly isolated or ECM cultured cells, as a marker for erythrocyte differentiation. These findings demonstrate that, in vitro, the ECM compartment acts as a regulator of HSPC fate and portray mechanical recognition as a potent driver of differentiation. In this context, targeted modulation of ECM scaffolds could enhance cell-ECM interactions and accelerate stem cell expansion or differentiation. These modulations could also provide further insights into HSPC-niche regulation. We demonstrate that ECMs derived from osteogenic differentiated SCP-1 cells increase HSPC expansion but do not lead to increased cell adhesion. As ECM adhesion preliminary alters HSPC function, we aimed at developing ECM scaffolds with increased adhesion capacity. Using lentiviral transduction, we generated a stable knock down of fibulin-1 in SCP-1 cells. Fibulin-1 is an ECM protein known to form anti-adhesion sites with fibronectin. However, we failed to increase adherent cell numbers or enhance HSPC expansion in the fibulin-1 knock down ECMs. Taken together, SCP-1 cell-derived ECM protein scaffolds provide an in vitro niche for HSPCs capable of stem cell expansion. Integrin mediated signaling altered the biomechanical and functional properties of HSPCs and hints at suspension cultures as being inappropriate to study the physiological aspects of HSPCs. Targeted modulation of ECM scaffolds could theoretically generate suitable ex vivo environments with the capacity to gain detailed insight into HSPC regulation within their niche. This will enhance the functionality of new biomaterials and will lead to improved regenerative therapies like BM transplantation.

Wnt signaling is involved in self-renewal and maintenance ofhematopoietic stem cells (HSCs); however, the particular role of non-canonical Wnt signaling in regulating HSCs in vivo is largely unknown. Here I show Flamingo and Frizzled8, members of non-canonical Wnt signaling, both express in and functionally maintain quiescent long-term HSCs. Flamingo regulates Frizzled8 distribution at the interface between HSCs and N-cadherin + osteoblasts (N-cad+OBs that enrich osteoprogenitors) in the niche. I further show that N-cad+OBs predominantly express non-canonical Wnt ligands and inhibitors of canonical Wnt signaling under homeostasis. This non-canonical Wnt signaling is attenuated prior to activation of HSCs. In the activated HSCs, however, canonical Wnt signaling is enhanced. Mechanistically, non-canonical Wnt signaling mediated by Frizzled8 suppresses the Ca2+-NF AT- IFNy pathway and antagonizes canonical Wnt signaling in HSCs. My findings demonstrate that non-canonical Wnt signaling maintains quiescent long- term HSCs through Flamingo and Frizzled8 interaction in the niche.

Background Hematopoietic stem cells located in the bone marrow interact with a specific microenvironment referred to as the stem cell niche. Data derived from ex vivo co-culture systems using mesenchymal stromal cells as a feeder cell layer suggest that cell-to-cell contact has a significant impact on the expansion, migratory potential and ‘stemness’ of hematopoietic stem cells. Here we investigated in detail the spatial relationship between hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stromal cells during ex vivo expansion. Design and Methods In the co-culture system, we defined three distinct localizations of hematopoietic stem cells relative to the mesenchymal stromal cell layer: (i) those in supernatant (non-adherent cells); (ii) those adhering to the surface of mesenchymal stromal cells (phase-bright cells) and (iii) those beneath the mesenchymal stromal cells (phase-dim cells). Cell cycle, proliferation, cell division and immunophenotype of these three cell fractions were evaluated from day 1 to 7. Results Phase-bright cells contained the highest proportion of cycling progenitors during co-culture. In contrast, phase-dim cells divided much more slowly and retained a more immature phenotype compared to the other cell fractions. The phase-dim compartment was soon enriched for CD34+/CD38− cells. Migration beneath the mesenchymal stromal cell layer could be hampered by inhibiting integrin β1 or CXCR4. Conclusions Our data suggest that the mesenchymal stromal cell surface is the predominant site of proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells, whereas the compartment beneath the mesenchymal stromal cell layer seems to mimic the stem cell niche for more immature cells. The SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction and integrin-mediated cell adhesion play important roles in the distribution of hematopoietic stem cells in the co-culture system.

Background Hematopoietic stem cells located in the bone marrow interact with a specific microenvironment referred to as the stem cell niche. Data derived from ex vivo co-culture systems using mesenchymal stromal cells as a feeder cell layer suggest that cell-to-cell contact has a significant impact on the expansion, migratory potential and ‘stemness’ of hematopoietic stem cells. Here we investigated in detail the spatial relationship between hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stromal cells during ex vivo expansion. Design and Methods In the co-culture system, we defined three distinct localizations of hematopoietic stem cells relative to the mesenchymal stromal cell layer: (i) those in supernatant (non-adherent cells); (ii) those adhering to the surface of mesenchymal stromal cells (phase-bright cells) and (iii) those beneath the mesenchymal stromal cells (phase-dim cells). Cell cycle, proliferation, cell division and immunophenotype of these three cell fractions were evaluated from day 1 to 7. Results Phase-bright cells contained the highest proportion of cycling progenitors during co-culture. In contrast, phase-dim cells divided much more slowly and retained a more immature phenotype compared to the other cell fractions. The phase-dim compartment was soon enriched for CD34+/CD38− cells. Migration beneath the mesenchymal stromal cell layer could be hampered by inhibiting integrin β1 or CXCR4. Conclusions Our data suggest that the mesenchymal stromal cell surface is the predominant site of proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells, whereas the compartment beneath the mesenchymal stromal cell layer seems to mimic the stem cell niche for more immature cells. The SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction and integrin-mediated cell adhesion play important roles in the distribution of hematopoietic stem cells in the co-culture system.

Improving the repopulation potential of human umbilical cord blood (UCB) haemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) remains a paramount goal in HSC transplantation (HSCT) therapy. This implies enhancing the homing and engraftment potential of UCB-CD34+CD133+ cells to the bone marrow (BM). Although an array of molecules continues to be identified as ‘key’ homing molecules, the molecular mechanisms controlling HSC homing are still not fully understood. The regulatory implications of hypoxia in the BM, with the concomitant stabilisation of hypoxia inducible transcription factor-1α (HIF-1α), are becoming more apparent, yet at the commencement of this thesis no study had explored whether hypoxia induced signalling can be adopted to regulate the homing and engraftment of transplanted HSCs. The aim of this DPhil project was thus to investigate whether hypoxic conditions as detected in the BM influence the adhesion of UBC-CD133+ cells to osteoblasts, BM stromal cells and BM endothelial cells-60 (BMEC-60), as well as their transmigration towards chemokine SDF-1α across BMEC-60. Increasing the exposure of UCB-CD133+ cells to 1.5% O2 doubled the percentage of transmigrating cells (p<0.05), and while hypoxia stimulated UCB-CD133+ cells preferentially adhered to IL-1β stimulated BMEC-60, their adhesion to non-stimulated (BMEC-60) was significantly improved (p<0.001). To help unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms, we attempted to examine the potential involvement of hypoxia regulated scaffolding protein HEF-1/NEDD9/Cas-L (HEF-1) in the increased percentage of migrating UCB-CD133+ cells after hypoxia pre-conditioning. The role of HEF-1 in HSCs is unexplored, and its multifunctional contribution in a variety of processes including cell migration, attachment and invasion make HEF-1 a prime candidate as a contributing homing molecule. After identifying a suitable short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequence to knockdown HEF-1, generating lentiviral (LV)-particles in house and optimising transduction protocols, HEF-1 knockdown was achieved in haemopoietic model cell lines KG-1 and KG-1A (KG-1/KG-1A–HEF1). Significantly decreased KG-1A–HEF1 cell adhesion to non-stimulated BMEC-60 was detected. Together, these studies provide a promising platform to further explore the role of HEF-1 in hypoxia induced UCB-CD133+ cell transmigration towards the key homing molecule SDF-1α.

O envelhecimento é um processo gradual e intrínseco que ocorre devido a mudanças fisiológicas e fenotípicas com o avanço da idade e que acarreta na diminuição da capacidade de manter a homeostase e reparo tecidual. A perda do controle homeostático e o possível envolvimento de células-tronco e progenitores, provavelmente, é uma das causas das fisiopatologias do sistema hematopoético que acompanham o envelhecimento. O declínio na competência do sistema imune adaptativo, o aumento de doenças mielóides, leucemias e o desenvolvimento de anemias são algumas mudanças significantes e decorrentes do processo de envelhecimento. Durante a transição ontológica, a habilidade de células-tronco hematopoéticas originarem células progenitoras diminui progressivamente, sugerindo perda da capacidade de autorrenovação e diferenciação das células-tronco com o avanço da idade. O microambiente medular se divide em duas áreas distintas: nicho endosteal e nicho vascular, conhecidos por controlar a homeostase das células-tronco hematopoéticas; e é composto por uma mistura heterogênea de células, dentre elas as células-tronco mesenquimais que expressam moléculas que controlam algumas funções das células-tronco hematopoéticas. De acordo com estas observações, este trabalho investiga o papel do envelhecimento das células-tronco mesenquimais no processo de autorrenovação, multipotência e diferenciação das células-tronco hematopoéticas. Neste trabalho, avaliamos a percentagem de células-tronco hematopoéticas Lin-CD34+ e subpopulações em co-cultura com células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas de medula óssea de diferentes idades, bem como sua capacidade de autorrenovação, diferenciação, secreção da quimiocina CXCL-12 e a expressão do receptor CXCR-4. Nossos resultados mostraram diferenças significativas nos parâmetros fenotípicos e funcionais das células-tronco hematopoéticas co-cultivadas com células-tronco mesenquimais de doadores idosos. Estes dados sugerem que o envelhecimento das células-tronco mesenquimais podem influenciar na homeostase do microambiente medular
Certainly, aging is one of the best identified features of the human biology, and is also the least understood. This is largely attributed to the fact that aging is gradual and fundamentally complex, due to all modifications in the physiological and phenotypic aspects occurred during the age advancing. One of the most striking features of aging is the decreased ability to maintain homeostasis and tissue repair. Consistent with those findings, many of the pathophysiological conditions affecting aging, such as anemia, dysplasia, leukemia and anemia suggest an imbalance between cell losses and the ability to self-renew or differentiation. The decline in homeostatic maintenance and regenerative potential of tissues during aging has been associated with changes in stem cells. Increasing evidences point to the stem cells as major accountable for the aging pathophysiology in several tissues. Thus, studies in mammals comprise a careful evaluation of mechanisms connected to stem cells. The increasing age is accompanied by many pathophysiological changes in the hematopoietic system wherein the etiology suggests loss of homeostatic control and a possible involvement of stem and progenitor cells. The clinically relevant changes are related to adaptive immune system diminished competence, the increase of myeloid diseases including leukemia and the onset of anemia in the elderly. The hematopoietic stem cell microenvironment is located in the bone marrow and is divided in two domains: the endosteal niche near to the bone surface and vascular niche associated with the sinusoidal endothelium; the niche consist of several heterogeneous cells types, among them, the mesenchymal stem cells. The mesenchymal stem cells express molecules that control hematopoietic stem cells functions. Therefore, this study investigates the role of mesenchymal stem cells aging in the self-renewal, multipotency and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. This study evaluated the percentage of hematopoietic stem cell Lin-CD34+ and subpopulations in co-culture with mesenchymal stem cell bone marrow-derived from donors with different ages, their ability of self-renewal, differentiation, secretion of chemokine CXCL-12 and expression of the CXCR-4 receptor. Our results suggest that the mesenchymal stem cells aging can affect the bone marrow niche homeostasis

Afin d'étudier le comportement des cellules leucémiques humaines in-vivo après injection à des souris immunodéficientes, nous avons adapté différentes modalités d'imagerie optique. La bioluminescence permet de suivre de façon quantitative et non invasive la prolifération systémique des cellules et la fluorescence macroscopique fournit des informations structurales et physiologiques. La microscopie intravitale (MIV) du calvarium par confocal / multiphoton permet d'observer les cellules de la moelle osseuse (MO) intacte in vivo et d'analyser les interactions avec leur microenvironnement. Ces techniques nous ont permis de réviser la structure de la MO et d'analyser les cellules souches hématopoïétiques (CHS) et leur microenvironnement, ou niche (NCSH), dans différentes régions du squelette. Nous démontrons que la MO est un organe hyper vascularisé où les preuves d'hypoxie manquent. A l'état basal, les CSH sont réparties de façon homogène à travers le squelette, indépendamment de la densité vasculaire (DV) et de l'activité de remodelage osseux (ARO). En revanche, les niches utilisées lors de la reconstitution hématopoïétique, sont définies par la présence de hautes DV et ARO. Nous démontrons également que les niches ostéoblastiques sont périvasculaires, quelle que soit leur localisation dans le squelette. Ces résultats indiquent que la moelle osseuse est hétérogène structurellement et fonctionnellement et que l'imagerie par MIV de la moelle osseuse du calvarium est un bon modèle d'étude des CSH et des NCSH. Ces technologies sont maintenant exploitées pour analyser le comportement des cellules leucémiques humaines in-vivo et leur impact sur le microenvironnement
In order to track human leukaemia cells in-vivo after xenotransplantation in immunodeficient animals we have evaluated and exploited different optical imaging technologies. Bioluminescence imaging provides quantitative data to track cells macroscopically and whole body fluorescence imaging offers structural and physiological information that can be co-registered with bioluminescence. Intravital microscopy (IVM) of calvarium's live bone marrow (BM) can be done in a non-invasive way using confocal / multiphoton imaging, and allows to analyse cells interactions with their microenvironment. Exploitation of these techniques, together with new contrasting procédures, allowed us to revise the BM structure and analyze haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and their specialized microenvironment, or niches (HSCN), in different regions of the skeleton. We first demonstrate that BM is a hyper-vascularised organ, which does not displaying evidence of chronic hypoxia. We report that HSCNs are homogeneously distributed throughout the skeleton, irrespective of blood vessels density (BVD) and bone remodelling activity (BRA), contrary to widely spread beliefs. We reveal that niches used during haematopoietic reconstitution are defined by high BVD and BRA. We also demonstrate that osteoblastic niches are perivascular, whatever the place in the skeleton. These data demonstrate that BM is structurally and functionally heterogeneous and that IVM of the calvarium is a good model to analyze HSCs and their interactions with HSCNs. These strategies are now being exploited for studying human leukaemia cells and their interactions with the microenvironment in-vivo

Immune cell niches are microenvironments that support the survival of specific hematopoietic cells. The size of a given niche is dependent on survival and proliferation signals provided. Modulation of niche size can be a useful therapeutic tool, and a better understanding of the factors that control the size of immune cell niches can lead to more targeted therapies. Here bone marrow and thymic niches were modulated with tyrosine kinase inhibition to achieve increased engraftment following stem cell transplantation (SCT). SCT resulting in mixed chimerism is curative for several benign blood diseases, but toxicities associated with myeloablative and cytotoxic conditioning regimens limit the application of SCT. Sunitinib inhibits multiple tyrosine kinases including KIT, an essential survival signal within the hematopoietic stem cell and thymic progenitor niches. Sunitinib therapy diminishes hematopoietic and thymic progenitor cells in mice and enhances accessibility of marrow and thymic niches to transplanted bone marrow. This provides a novel, non-cytotoxic approach to accomplish mixed hematopoietic chimerism. The observation that T cells undergo increased proliferation and accumulate in IL-7R deficient mice compared to other lymphopenic hosts raised questions about the factors that control the size of the T cell niche. Understanding these factors is useful in designing therapeutics to increase T cell responses for treatment of many diseases including cancer. Dendritic cells (DCs) are well known for their ability to modulate T cell responses; however, very little is known about the role of IL-7R signaling on DCs. The data presented here show that bone marrow derived DCs treated with IL-7 were less able to induce T cell proliferation in coculture. In vivo systems using CD11cDTR mice showed a role for IL-7 signaling on CD11c+ cells in T cell homeostasis. Together these data suggest that IL-7R signaling on DCs is important for regulating the size of the T cell niche.

L'hématopoïèse est un processus finement régulé pour permettre sa pérennité et son adaptation aux contraintes physiologiques et pathologiques. Ce potentiel repose en grande partie sur les capacités de quiescence, auto-renouvellement, division asymétrique et multipotence des cellules souches hématopoïétiques (CSH). Les CSH et progéniteurs hématopoïétiques (CSPH) sont principalement régulés de façon extrinsèque au sein des niches hématopoïétiques médullaires et cette régulation fait intervenir, des contacts intercellulaires et des facteurs diffusibles. Le phénotype " side-population " (SP), secondaire à l'efflux actif d'un colorant fluorescent (Hoechst 33342) par des pompes de type multidrugresistance, est une caractéristique des cellules souches de la plupart des tissus. Au sein de l'hématopoïèse, le phénotype SP est un excellent moyen pour identifier les CSH murines et est associé à leur quiescence et à leur adhésion à la niche endostéale, mais sa valeur comme marqueur des CSH est plus discutée chez l'homme. Les cellules SP, de par leur nature, sont également étudiées en oncologie, et sont associées aux cellules tumorales les plus résistantes et les plus tumorogènes. La compréhension des mécanismes régulant la fonctionnalité SP devrait permettre d'ouvrir des pistes en physiologie quand à la compréhension de la régulation des CSPH par les niches mésenchymateuses et en pathologie pour cibler les mécanismes de chimiorésistance.Dans ce travail nous montrons pour la première fois chez l'homme que l'acquisition du phénotype SP est un phénomène dynamique et versatile sous le contrôle du stroma médullaire. Le stroma médullaire est en effet capable de maintenir le phénotype SP de CSPH médullaires et d'induire le phénotype SP de CSPH circulants. L'acquisition du phénotype SP par les cellules circulantes nécessite à la fois un " nichage " au sein du stroma et des facteurs diffusibles. Les cellules circulantes capables d'acquérir le phénotype SP contiennent des CSPH au regard de (i) leur expression du CD34, (ii) leur richesse en cellules quiescentes, (iii) leur capacité clonogénique et proliférative en cultures secondaires, (iv) leur expression des gènes de " nichage " et de " souchitude ", (v) leur capacité de migration en réponse à un gradient de CXCL12, (vi) leur activité LT-SRC in vivo. De plus nous avons mis en évidence, au sein de ces CSPH SP+CD34+ révélés par le stroma médullaire, une sous-population CD44-/faible qui pourrait contenir les cellules plus immatures en raison de sa quiescence et de l'intensité de son efflux du Hoechst 33342. Les études mécanistiques montrent que l'acquisition du phénotype SP par les cellules circulantes est sous la dépendance de l'intégrine VLA-4 et du CD44. La transduction du signal implique des protéines G et la famille des Src-kinases. Nous montrons également que le stroma médullaire peut induire/maintenir/amplifier la fonctionnalité SP de blastes circulants de leucémie aigüe myéloblastique de façon ß1-intégrine dépendante et que cette fonctionnalité est associée à une capacité d'efflux de Mitoxantrone. Ce mécanisme de modulation de l'activité d'ABC-transporteurs par l'adhésion au stroma correspond à un mécanisme encore jamais décrit de CAM-DR.

La niche des cellules souches hématopoïétiques représente un compartiment complexe et radiosensible. Sa protection est nécessaire pour la restauration de l'hématopoïèse faisant suite à la myélosuppression due à l'exposition aux rayonnements ionisants. Nous avons dans un premier temps étudié l'effet des RI sur les progéniteurs endothéliaux et mésenchymateux de la niche par une étude de radiosensiblilité et une étude d'évaluation de la mort cellulaire. Nous avons proposé par la suite une stratégie innovante de thérapie génique basée sur la sécrétion locale et à court terme du morphogène Sonic hedgehog visant à favoriser la réparation de niche vasculaire et de stimuler les cellules souches hématopoïétiques et les cellules progénitrices résiduelles. Nous avons étudié la réponse hématopoïétique des singes irradiés à 8-Gy gamma après une seule injection intra-osseuse de cellules souches mésenchymateuses xénogéniques, multipotentes et d'origine adipocytaire transfectées avec un plasmide pIRES2-eGFP codant la protéine Shh. La durée de thrombocytopénie et celle de neutropénie ont été significativement réduites chez les animaux greffés et les clonogènes sont normalisés à partir du 42e jour. Les aires sous la courbe des numération des plaquettes et des neutrophiles entre 0 et 30 jours ont été significativement plus élevée chez les animaux traités que chez les témoins. La greffe d'explants de MatrigelTM colonisés ou non avec des ASC chez des souris immunodéprimées a démontré une activité pro-angiogénique notable des ASC transfectées avec le plasmide Shh . Le suivi à long terme (180 à 300 jours) a confirmé une reconstitution durable dans les quatre singes greffés. Globalement cette étude suggère que la greffe de cellules souches multipotentes Shh-peut représenter une nouvelle stratégie pour la prise en charge des dommages radio-induits de la niche
The hematopoietic stem cell niche represents a complex radiosensitive compartment whose protection is required for recovery from radiation-induced myelosuppression. We initially studied RI effects on endothelial and mesenchymal progenitors by an evaluating radiosensitivity and cell death. Then, we have proposed a new gene therapy strategy based on local and short term secretion of Sonic hedgehog morphogene to favour vascular niche repair and to stimulate residual hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. We investigated the hematopoietic response of 8-Gy gamma irradiated monkeys to a single intra-osseous injection of xenogeneic multipotent mesenchymal stem cells transduced with a Shh pIRES2 plasmid. Thrombocytopenia and neutropenia duration were significantly reduced in grafted animals and clonogenics normalized from day 42. Areas under the curve of PLTs and ANCs between day 0 and day 30 were significantly higher in treated animals than in controls. Grafting MatrigelTM colonized or not with ASC in immunocompromized mice demonstrated a notable pro-angiogenic activity for Shh-ASC. Long term follow up (180-300 days) confirmed a durable recovery in the four grafted monkeys. Globally this study suggests that grafting Shh-multipotent stem cells may represent a new strategy to cure radiation-induced niche damage

Au sein de la moelle osseuse (MO), les cellules souches hématopoïétiques (CSH) sont logées dans un microenvironnement en 3D spécialisé, appelé "niche". Cette structure contribue à la régulation du comportement (e.g. auto-renouvellement, engagement dans des voies de différentiation, prolifération et survie). Cette niche est composée de plusieurs types de cellules, comme les cellules endothéliales vasculaires, périvasculaires et ostéoblastiques. Les cellules stromales mésenchymateuses (CSM) périvasculaires jouent un rôle clé dans la formation du microenvironnement, tant par leur expression de facteurs pro-hématopoïétiques, que de leur capacité de différenciation vers le lignage ostéoblastique. Ainsi, les sous-populations de CSM composant la niche hématopoïétique sont impliquées dans la régulation de l'hématopoïèse, mais également dans la formation et la régénération du squelette. Récemment décrites chez la souris à l'échelle de la cellule unique, les sous-populations de CSM restent cependant inexplorées dans la MO humaine, il en est ainsi de leur rôle respectif dans la niche. Connaître l'identité des sous-populations cellulaires, déchiffrer leurs propriétés natives et recréer ex vivo ces niches physiologiquement fonctionnelles en 3D restent des enjeux scientifiques importants pour la compréhension de l'hématopoïèse et de l'ostéogenèse humaine. Dans ce travail, nous avons dans un premier temps, utilisé des approches de séquençage d'ARN à l'échelle de la cellule unique (scRNA-seq), afin de caractériser chaque population stromale de la MO humaine et d'identifier des facteurs de niche hématopoïétique clés hautement conservés entre les espèces. Nous avons ainsi identifié plusieurs sous-populations cellulaires, exprimant différents gènes régulateurs de l'hématopoïèse, comprenant des cellules endothéliales, des cellules murales et particulièrement des CSM ayant des trajectoires ostéoblastiques et adipogéniques distinctes. De manière intéressante, nos données suggèrent une hiérarchie de différenciation à branchement simple avec la présence d'un sous-ensemble multipotent, les cellules réticulaires exprimant fortement CXCL12 (CAR) qui seraient à l'origine des autres sous-populations de CSM. Nous avons observé un enrichissement des cellules CAR exprimant le récepteur à la leptine (LEPR) dans la fraction native CD45- / CD271+ / CD200+, ainsi que leur localisation in situ en utilisant des approches histologiques sur des biopsies humaines. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons élaboré une méthode d'isolation ex vivo pour préserver et amplifier les cellules CAR de la MO, puis étudier leur auto-organisation en culture 3D. Nous avons constaté que les sphéroïdes dérivés des cellules de type CAR ont une angiogenèse abondante, sécrètent des cytokines pro-niche et récapitulent spontanément in vitro la formation osseuse intramembranaire précoce. Grâce à des modèles bio-informatiques et des techniques d'édition du génome, nous avons mis en évidence le rôle de la protéine WDR35 et du cil primaire dans la différenciation ostéoblastique médiée par les voies de signalisation Hedgehog et Wnt. Enfin, nous avons montré que la xénotransplantation ectopique de ces sphéroïdes pouvait donner naissance à des ostéoblastes humains matures, tout en formant une niche aux CSH après humanisation hématopoïétique de souris immunodéprimées NSG. Notre étude donne, pour la première fois, une cartographie du stroma de la MO humaine avec une résolution unicellulaire et montre que les cellules CAR cultivées en 3D représentent un nouvel outil utile en recherche fondamentale avec un fort potentiel en médecine régénérative
Within the bone marrow (BM), hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are hosted in a specialized 3D microenvironment, called "niche", regulating their behavior (e.g. self-renewal, commitment to lineages, proliferation and survival). This niche is composed of several cells such as vascular endothelial, perivascular, and osteoblastic cells. Perivascular mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) play a key role in the formation of the microenvironment, both through expression of pro-hematopoietic factors, and their ability to differentiate towards osteoblastic lineage. Therefore, MSCs sub-populations are of crucial physiological importance in the regulation of hematopoiesis, but also for bone formation and regeneration. Recently described in mice at the single-cell level, BM MSCs subsets remain unexplored in humans, as well as their respective roles in the niche. By characterizing these sub-populations, and deciphering their native properties, it will be possible to shape ex vivo the physiological niches in 3D, addressing the major scientific challenges for understanding human hematopoiesis and osteogenesis. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing approaches to characterize the human BM stroma and described key hematopoietic niche factors highly conserved between species. We identified subsets of cells expressing different hematopoietic regulatory genes, spanning endothelial cells, mural cells, and especially MSCs with distinct osteoblastic and adipogenic trajectories. Of interest, our data suggest a simple branching differentiation hierarchy with the presence of a multipotent subset: the CXCL12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells at the origin of the other MSCs subpopulations. We confirmed the enrichment of the CXCL12-abundant reticular (CAR) cell subset expressing the Leptin receptor (LEPR+) in the CD45-/CD271+/CD200+ BM fraction as well as their in-situ localization using histological approaches on human biopsies. Secondly, we developed an ex vivo isolation method to preserve and amplify the BM CAR cells, and then studied their self-organization in 3D culture. We found that CAR derived organoids sustained high angiogenesis, secreted CSH niche cytokines, and spontaneously recapitulates early intramembranous bone formation in vitro. Using bioinformatics models and genome editing techniques, we highlighted the role of the WDR35 protein and the primary cilia in osteoblastic differentiation mediated by the Hedgehog and Wnt signaling pathways. Finally, we have shown that ectopic xenotransplantation of CSM-derived organoids could give rise to mature human osteoblasts while forming a niche for CSHs after hematopoietic humanization of immunocompromised NSG mice. Our study is the first map of the human BM stroma at a single-cell resolution, and CAR cells cultured in 3D represent a new tool useful in basic research as well as in regenerative medicine

L’existance de cellules souches leucémiques (CSL) dans la Leucémie Myéloïde Chronique (LMC) prédit que que seule la destruction des CSL conduirait à une guérison. Une proportion importante de patients atteints de LMC développe une résistance aux drogues, environ ~ 30% des cas, Les mécanismes de résistance aux inhibiteurs de tyrosine kinase (TKI) dans la leucémie myéloïde chronique (LMC) restent souvent obscures. Les cellules souches leucémiques de la LMC pourraient rester viables et en repos, malgré la présence de facteurs de croissance ou de médicaments qui semblent les protéger de l'apoptose. Nous avons montré dans la première parti de cette étude que certains transporteurs telles ABCG2, hOCT-1 pourraient jouer un rôle avec le micro environnement dans la résistance des lignées LMC en adhésion au stoma médullaire. De plus, dans deuxième parti nous avons montré que le gène TWIST-1 (est un acteur clé de l'embryogenèse) est déréglementé dans les cellules de LMC innée des résistants à l'imatinib, et que la sur-expression de l’oncogène TWIST-1 pourrait représenter un nouveau facteur clé de pronostiques potentiellement utiles pour améliorer la guérison de LMC aux TKI. De plus, nous avons pu également montrer que le gène TP73 est impliqué dans la résistance des CSL de LMC. Ce gène pourrait être un facteur prédictif pour identifier une résistance potentielle des patients de LMC au moment du diagnostic. Nous avons montré également que ce gène est régulé par le micro-environnement. Nous avons montrés une sur-expression des isoformes tronquées dans les lignées LMC avec l’adhésion au stroma. Les résultats suggèrent que les molécules intrinsèques comme TWIST-1, les transporteurs et les isoformes de p73 sont dérégulées dans les CSL par des mécanismes extrinsèques qui interviennent avec le micro environnement leucémique par le mécanisme d’adhésion dans le phénomène de résistance aux traitements. Ce mécanisme spécial de résistance due à la conservation de ces CSL dans l’état immature en adhésion avec son micro environnement
The existence of Leukemia stem cells (CSL) in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) predicts that only the destruction of CSL lead to a cure. A significant proportion of CML patients develop resistance to drugs, ~ 30% cases, mechanisms of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) often remain obscure. Leukemic stem cells of CML could remain viable and quiet, despite the presence of growth factors or drugs that seem to protect them from apoptosis. We have shown in the first part of this study that some carriers such as ABCG2, hOCT could to be play a role with the microenvironment in the resistance among CML adhesion of stoma Bone marrow. Furthermore, in the second part we showed that the gene TWIST-1 (is a key player of the embryogenesis) is deregulated in cells of CML innately resistant to imatinib, and that overexpression of the oncogene TWIST-1 could represent a new prognostic factor key potentially useful for improving the querison CML to TKI. In addition, we also could show that the TP73 gene is involved in the resistance of CSL CML. This gene could be a predictor to identify potential resistance of CML patients at diagnosis. We have also shown that this gene is regulated by the microenvironment. We have shown an overexpression of truncated isoforms in CML cell lines with the accession to the stroma. The results suggest that intrinsic molecules such as TWIST-1 carriers and p73 isoforms are deregulated in CSL by extrinsic mechanisms involved with the leukemia microenvironment by the mechanism for participation in the phenomenon of drug resistance. This mechanism with its microenvironment

It is well documented that both quantitative and qualitative changes in the murine hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) population occur with age. In mice, the effect of aging on stem cells is highly strain-specific, thus suggesting genetic regulation plays a role in HSC aging. In C57BL/6 (B6) mice, the HSC population steadily increases with age, whereas in DBA/2 (D2) mice, this population declines. Our lab has previously mapped a quantitative trait locus (QTL) to murine chromosome 2 that is associated with the variation in frequency of HSCs between aged B6 and D2 mice. In these dissertation studies, I first aim to characterize the congenic mouse model which was generated by introgressing D2 alleles in the QTL onto a B6 background. Using a surrogate assay to mimic aging, I analyzed the cell cycle, apoptotic and self-renewal capabilities of congenic and B6 HSCs and show that D2 alleles in the QTL affect the apoptotic and selfrenewal capabilities of HSCs. In the second aim of these studies, I used oligonucleotide arrays to compare the differential expression of B6 and congenic cells using a population enriched for primitive stem and progenitor cells. Extensive analysis of the expression arrays pointed to two strong candidates, the genes encoding Retinoblastoma like protein 1 (p107) and Sorting nexin 5 (Snx5). B6 alleles were associated with increased p107 and Snx5 expression in old HSCs therefore both genes were hypothesized to be positive regulators of stem cell number in aged mice. Finally, in the third aim of these studies, I show that the individual overexpression of p107 and Snx5 in congeic HSCs increases day35 cobblestone area forming cell (CAFC) numbers, therefore confirming their roles as positive regulators of HSC number in vitro. These studies uncover novel roles for p107 and Snx5 in the regulation of HSC numbers and provide additional clues in the complex regulation of HSC aging.

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) repopulate the blood system upon transplantation. A large-scale genetic approach to understand the factors that participate in successful engraftment has not been undertaken. In this thesis, I present the development of a novel live imaging-based competitive marrow repopulation assay in adult zebrafish, which allows fast and quantitative measurement of HSPC engraftment capability. Using this assay, a transplantation-based chemical screen was performed, which led to the discovery of 10 compounds that can enhance the marrow engraftment capability in zebrafish. Among them, the arachidonic acid-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET), had conserved effects on both short- and long-term bone marrow engraftment in mice. Genetic analysis in zebrafish embryos demonstrated that EET acts through a \(G\alpha12/13\)-mediated receptor, which activates PI3K and induces transcription factors of the AP-1 family. This PI3K/AP-1 pathway directly induced the transcription of HSC marker, runx1, in embryos. The activation of PI3K by EET promoted HSPC migration and interactions with niche cells. Our studies define a role for EETs in the development of blood stem cells during embryogenesis, and in engraftment in adult vertebrates. The other compounds discovered in the screen implicate additional novel signaling pathways involved in the HSPC engraftment process, which require further investigation. In summary, this thesis elucidated an important role of bioactive lipids in regulating HSC engraftment in adults and during embryo development. Systematically mapping out the regulatory network will tremendously benefit both the basic understanding of stem cell biology and the clinical manipulation to generate better stem cells for transplantation.

The first transplantable hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) arise in the aorta-gonad mesonephros region (AGM) during early stages of embryo development. Specifically, ventral aspect of embryonic dorsal aorta (DA) contains HSC that upon transplantation into irradiated recipients can reconstitute all lineages of the haematopoietic system [Medvinsky et al. 1993; Muller and Medvinsky, 1994; Medvinsky and Dzierzak, 1996; Cumano et al., 1996; Tavian et al., 1996; Peault and Tavian, 2003; Taoudi and Medvinsky, 2007; Ivanovs et al., 2011, 2014]. The ventral aspect of DA bears so-called intra-aortic cell clusters (IAC), the appearance of which coincides with the emergence of HSC [Babovic and Eaves, 2014; Bhatia, 2007; Boisset et al., 2010, 2011; Bollerot et al., 2005; de Bruijin et al., 2002; Bertrand et al., 2010]. According to recent reports, HSC are a heterogeneous population of cells [Dykstra et al., 2007; Seita and Weissman, 2010; Muller-Sieburg et al., 2012]. It is unclear whether all HSC precursors originate from the same location, for example, DA lining, IAC or sub-aortic tissues; or HSC precursors migrate into DA lining from other parts of the embryo [Tavian et al., 1999; Yoder et al., 1997; Oberlin et al., 2002; Peault and Tavian, 2003; Dzierzak, 2003; Samokhvalov et al., 2007; Medvinsky et al., 2011]. To elucidate ontogeny of early HSC precursors (pro-HSC), two approaches were applied in this PhD project. First, we mapped potential pro-HSC in pre-circulation mouse embryos (embryonic day 6-8.5, E6-E8.5). We defined potential pro-HSC as cells co-expressing the transcription factor Runx1, endothelial markers (VE-Cad or CD31) and/or haematopoietic markers (CD45, CD41) [Oberlin et al., 2002; de Bruijn and Dzierzak, 2012; Liakhovitskaia et al., 2009, 2014]. In E6-E8 mouse embryo, prospective pro-HSC were found to be located in chorionic plate, yolk sac and in allantoic core domain. In early somitic mouse embryo (E8-8.5) cells with pro-HSC phenotype (Runx1+CD31+CD41+) were found to be in cell clusters in forming vessel of confluence and in nascent dorsal aortae lining. Pro-HSC are not directly transplantable [Cumano et al., 1996., 2001; Godin et al., 1993; 1995; Batta et al., 2016; Matsuoka et al., 2001; Nishikawa et al., 1998]. Therefore, cells and tissues containing prospective pro-HSC were initially matured using several in-vitro culture systems. According to our results, E8 mouse embryo pro-HSC are only preserved in explant cultures, but not in co-aggregate cultures with stroma cells. After culture, cells were transplanted into sub-lethally irradiated recipients. Six weeks after transplantation 19 out of 82 transplanted recipients had donor derived blood cells' chimerism at the level of 0.1-0.3%. Forty six percent of these grafts were derived from rostral part of the embryo tissues (head, heart, upper somites). Only one out of 82 recipients had donor cells contribution above 1% (1.2 %). This recipient was engrafted with cells derived from the E8 mouse embryo head and heart region. Recipients having blood chimerism at the range of 0.1-0.3% had mainly lymphoid donor derived cells in their peripheral blood. The only recipient showing the high donor cells contribution (1.2%) had contribution mainly to myeloid lineage. Recorded low levels of blood chimersims are in line with those reported by Rybtsov et al. (2014) for early E9 mouse embryos. Donor derived cells formed clearly distinguishable populations on cytometry plots. This population of cells were absent from control engraftment experiments with carrier cells only. Previously, lymphoid potential was detected in paraaortic spnanchnopleura (P-Sp) of E8.5-9 mouse embryos, but not in E8 mouse embryos (0-5 somites, pre-circulation) and later in yolk sac [Cumano et al., 1996; Nishikawa et al., 1998; Fraser et al., 2002; Yokota et al., 2006]. However, prior works used different criteria to establish recipient reconstitution. Therefore, it is possible that recipients repopulated with E8 derived cells at the level of 0.1% were not considered as repopulated and hence, presence of lymphoid lineage precursors was overlooked in early somitic mouse embryos. The only recipient showing substantial myeloid cells contribution (73% Mac1+Gr1+ cells of donor derived cells) received engrafted cells from an older (6-13 sp) embryo and therefore potentially has yolk sac derived myeloid cells. Yolk sac cell contribution to myeloid lineage, specifically to the brain microglia was reported in prior works [Samokhvalov et al., 2007]. Our data show that early E8 AGM cells do not expand in in vitro conditions. While in AGM, cells from E9 mouse embryo expand in culture [Rybtsov et al., 2014]. We have analysed Runx1 expression pattern and dorsal aorta morphology at the time when E9 HSC precursors acquire ability to expand in in vitro culture. Runx1 expression becomes clearly polarised at the time point (22-26 sp), when paired dorsal aortae fusion is initiated. We envision that intimate connection between DA fusion events and induction of pro-HSC maturation exists. According to prior reports, Bmp, Shh and VEGF signalling regulate DA fusion [Garriock et al., 2010]. Thereofore, to enhance in vitro HSC maturation system, DA fusion triggers (for example, Bmp4) might be added to culture. Since, pro-HSC maturation methods established to date are not efficient to expand and differentiate E8 pro-HSC into potent HSC, another approach had to be implemented to study HSC ontogeny. The second approach we utilized was to trace the origin of HSC in chicken embryo, starting from the very beginning of cell fate specification, i.e. from gastrulation stages. Chick embryo haematopoiesis is similar in both human and mouse: precursors of HSC arise in the embryo proper in AGM, and IAC are formed in DA ventral aspect [Dieterlen-Lièvre, 1975; Dieterlen-Lièvre and Martin, 1981; Dieterlen-Lièvre and Jaffredo, 2009; Jaffredo et al., 2000; Le Douarin and Dieterlen-Lièvre, 2013]. In contrast to mammals, chick embryo develops ex vivo, making direct labelling and cell tracing possible. We aimed to identify cells giving rise to regions of DA that produce IAC. Therefore, segments of primitive streak (PS) were labelled with lipophilic dyes or by substituting segments of host PS with PS sections derived from transgenic (GFP+) stage matched chicken embryos. Our results show that in an 18-25h chicken embryo (Hamburger and Hamilton developmental stage 4-6, HH4-6) cells giving rise to DA ingress through the wide region of PS (35-60% of its length) [Hamburger and Hamilton, 1951]. We identified that the section of DA producing HSC is formed by cells ingressing through PS in region of 40-55% of its length at 18-25h of chick embryo development. Regardless of the embryo development stage (HH4-6), in chimeras grafted at 40-55% of PS length, GFP+ cells contributed to DA and to the IAC. Within GFP+ labelled areas, we observed clusters consisting entirely of GFP+ and clusters having a mixture of GFP+ and GFP- cells. Entirely GFP+ clusters were found in the stretch of DA that had the entire aortic endothelial lining labelled. Clusters formed on the mosaic (GFP+/GFP-) aortic endothelium also had mosaic nature. According to our data, multiple descendants of PS contribute to the same stretch of dorsal aorta. This explains mosaicity of dorsal aorta lining and IAC labelling. Since we encountered clusters with mixture of GFP+ and GFP- cells, we conclude that IAC are not clonal formations. Mosaicity of IAC also does not exclude a scenario when cells migrate in and out of a cluster. Further tracing experiments are required to establish HSC nature of cells within a cluster.

The concept of stem cell self-renewal was developed from clonal tracking of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) divisions in vivo 50 years ago. However, protocols to expand these cells in vitro without loss of their stem cell properties have remained elusive. A number of factors contribute to this inability. Key among these is a lack of knowledge of the critical molecular characteristics that distinguish HSCs from hematopoietic progenitors as well as how the control of the fundamental biological programs of survival, division and differentiation are integrated in HSCs. Using a combination of single-cell tracking, transcriptomics, and in vivo readouts applied to highly enriched mouse HSCs, we now show that their survival, proliferation, and maintenance of stem cell properties are mechanistically dissociable. Discovery of a protocol that allows input numbers of functionally intact human HSC numbers to be maintained for 3 weeks in vitro using defined growth factors, was then leveraged to design single human HSC cell tracking and functional analyses. The results of these showed that for human HSC, as in the mouse model, survival, proliferation, and maintenance of stem cell status are mechanistically dissociable, and controlled in a combinatorial manner. We then developed a panel of mass cytometry detectors to enable >40 surface and intracellular proteins to be simultaneously measured at single cell resolution. Using this panel, we identified some of the signaling intermediates activated by growth factors that differentially control human HSC biological responses assessed in high-throughput assays. Correlation of the molecular properties, surface phenotypes and functional activities of CD34+ subsets have further revealed a surprising degree both of heterogeneity within each phenotype and overlap between phenotypes. In some cases, the results suggest a given phenotype contains distinct subsets and a broader scheme of differentiation pathways than suggested by current models of human hematopoietic cell differentiation. Finally, we identify CD33+ as a novel marker which demarcates the most potent human HSC within the current best phenotypic enrichment strategy. These results lay a foundation on which future HSC expansion strategies can be constructed, and have implications for the development of leukemia.
Medicine, Faculty of
Medicine, Department of
Experimental Medicine, Division of
Graduate

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) is a member of the adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. MRP1 actively effluxes a variety of endogenous and exogenous substrates from cells, ultimately, working to remove these compounds from the body. MRP1 was initially discovered based on its ability to confer resistance against a variety of chemotherapeutics when overexpressed in cancer cells lines. MRP1 function is important for a number of physiological processes, including regulating cellular and extracellular levels of the anti-inflammatory leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and the antioxidant glutathione (GSH). Our studies have focused on the role of MRP1 in regulating hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and differentiation and the role of CK2 as a regulator of MRP1 function. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) cellular levels are tightly regulated and fluctuations in ROS levels affect many cellular processes, including the self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and kinase signaling pathways. MRP1 regulates ROS through the transport of reduced and oxidized GSH. MRP1 is highly expressed in HSCs, therefore we hypothesized that MRP1 regulates ROS levels in HSCs via efflux of GSH. We have shown that MRP1 regulates HSC self-renewal by modulating cellular ROS via the efflux of GSH. The decrease in ROS results in downregulation of p38 activity and altered expression of a number of redox response genes. CK2 is a master regulator of the cell and controls cell growth, proliferation, death and survival. Yeast studies from our lab using Ycf1p (a homologue of MRP1) and Cka1p (a homologue of CK2) have found that Cka1p regulates Ycf1p function. This result suggests that CK2 regulates MRP1 function via phosphorylation. We have found that CK2 does regulate MRP1 function via phosphorylation of the N-terminal extension at Thr249. Using A549, H460, and HeLa cancer cell lines, we found that inhibition of CK2 with tetrabromobenzimidazole (TBBz) reduces MRP1 function and increases cellular toxicity to known MRP1 substrates.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective treatment for blood disorders and autoimmune diseases. Following HSCT, these cells must successfully migrate to the marrow niche and replenish the blood system of the recipient. This process requires both non-cell and cell-autonomous regulation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). A transgenic reporter line in zebrafish allowed the investigation of factors that regulate HSPC migration and function. To directly observe cells in their endogenous microenvironment, confocal live imaging was used to track runx1:GFP+ HSPCs as they arrive and lodge in the niche. A novel cellular interaction was observed that involves triggered remodeling of perivascular endothelial cells during niche formation. A chemical screen identified the TGF-beta pathway as a regulator of HSPC and niche interactions. Chemical manipulation of HSPCs was used to improve engraftment and repopulation capability following transplantation. Runx1:GFP fish treated with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) during embryogenesis exhibit increased runx1+ cells in the AGM and CHT, consistent with previous in situ data. This increase in HSPCs is maintained into adulthood, even in the absence of prolonged PGE2 exposure. Kidney marrow from these treated fish can outcompete control marrow in transplantation assays. The ability of PGE2 to confer a long-term advantage on sorted mouse marrow populations in competitive transplantation assays was tested. I found that PGE2-treated short-term (ST)-HSCs, but not long-term (LT)-HSCs show enhanced transplantability in recipients compared to control animals. My studies demonstrate that the effects of PGE2 on HSC function persist over substantial time despite transient exposure. A population of short-term HSCs can engraft and give rise to long-term multilineage reconstitution following PGE2 treatment. Collectively, our studies have led to novel insights regarding the pathways involved in HSC migration, homing, and repopulation.

Abstract The investigation of the web of relationships between the different elements of the immune system has proven instrumental to better understand this complex biological system. This is particularly true in the case of the interactions between B and T lymphocytes, both during cellular development and at the stage of cellular effectors functions. The understanding of the B–T cells interdependency and the possibility to manipulate this relationship may be directly applicable to situations where immunity is deficient, as is the case of cancer or immune suppression after radio and chemotherapy. The work presented here started with the development of a novel and accurate tool to directly assess the diversity of the cellular repertoire (Chapter III). Contractions of T cell receptor diversity have been related with a deficient immune status. This method uses gene chips platforms where nucleic acids coding for lymphocyte receptors are hybridized and is based on the fact that the frequency of hybridization of nucleic acids to the oligonucleotides on a gene chip varies in direct proportion to diversity. Subsequently, and using this new method and other techniques of cell quantification I examined, in an animal model, the role that polyclonal B cells and immunoglobulin exert upon T cell development in the thymus, specifically on the acquisition of a broader repertoire diversity by the T cell receptors (Chapter IV and V). The hypothesis tested was if the presence of more diverse peptides in the thymus, namely polyclonal immunoglobulin, would induce the generation of more diverse T cells precursors. The results obtained demonstrated that the diversity of the T cell compartment is increased by the presence of polyclonal immunoglobulin. Polyclonal immunoglobulin, and particularly the Fab fragments of the molecule, represent the most diverse self-molecules in the body and its peptides are presented by antigen presenting cells to precursor T cells in the thymus during its development. This probably contributes significantly to the generation of receptor diversity. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that a more diverse repertoire of T lymphocytes is associated with a more effective and robust T cell immune function in vivo, as mice with a more diverse T cell receptors reject minor histocompatiblility discordant skin grafts faster than mice with a shrunken T cell receptor repertoire (Chapter V). We believe that a broader T cell receptor diversity allows a more efficient recognition and rejection of a higher range of external and internal aggressions. In this work it is demonstrated that a reduction of TCR diversity by thymectomy in wild type mice significantly increased survival of H-Y incompatible skin grafts, indicating decrease on T cell function. In addiction reconstitution of T-cell diversity in mice with a decreased T cell repertoire diversity with immunoglobulin Fab fragments, lead to a increase on TCR diversity and to a significantly decreased survival of the skin grafts (Chapter V). These results strongly suggest that increases on T cell repertoire diversity contribute to improvement of T cell function. Our results may have important implications on therapy and immune reconstitution in the context of AIDS, cancer, autoimmunity and post myeloablative treatments. Based on the previous results, we tested the clinical hypothesis that patients with haematological malignancies subjected to stem cell transplantation who recovered a robust immune system would have a better survival compared to patients who did not recover such a robust immune system. This study was undertaken by the examination of the progression and overall survival of 42 patients with mantle cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Chapter VI). The results obtained show that patients who recovered higher numbers of lymphocytes soon after autologous transplantation had a statistically significantly longer progression free and overall survivals. These results demonstrate the positive impact that a more robust immune system reconstitution after stem cell transplantation may have upon the survival of patients with haematological malignancies. In a similar clinical research framework, this dissertation also includes the study of the impact of recovering normal serum levels of polyclonal immunoglobulin on the survival of patients with another B cell haematological malignancy, multiple myeloma, after autologous stem cell transplantation (Chapter VII). The relapse free survival of the 110 patients with multiple myeloma analysed was associated with their ability to recover normal serum levels of the polyclonal compartment of immunoglobulin. These results suggest again the important effect of polyclonal immunoglobulin for the (re)generation of the immune competence. We also studied the impact of a robust immunity for the response to treatment with the antibody anti CD20, rituximab, in patients with non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) (Chapter VIII). Patients with higher absolute counts of CD4+ T lymphocytes respond better (in terms of longer progression free survival) to rituximab compared to patients with lower number of CD4+ T lymphocytes. These observations highlight again the fact that a competent immune system is required for the clinical benefit of rituximab therapy in NHL patients. In conclusion, the work presented in this dissertation demonstrates, for the first time, that diverse B cells and polyclonal immunoglobulin promote T cell diversification in the thymus and improve T lymphocyte function. Also, it shows that in the setting of immune reconstitution, as after autologous stem cell transplantation for mantle cell lymphoma and in the setting of immune therapy for NHL, the absolute lymphocyte counts are an independent factor predicting progression free and overall survival. These results can have an important application in the clinical practice since the majority of the current treatments for cancer are immunosuppressive and implicate a subsequent immune recovery. Also, the effects of a number of antineoplastic treatments, including biological agents, depend on the immune system activity. In this way, studies similar to the ones presented here, where methods to improve the immune reconstitution are examined, may prove to be instrumental for a better understanding of the immune system and to guide more efficient treatment options and the design of future clinical trials. Resumo O estudo da rede de inter-relações entre os diversos elementos do sistema immune tem-se mostrado um instrumento essencial para uma melhor compreensão deste complexo sistema biológico. Tal é particularmente verdade no caso das interacções entre os linfócitos B e T, quer durante o desenvolvimento celular, quer ao nível das funções celulares efectoras. A compreensão da interdependência entre linfócitos B e T e a possibilidade de manipular esta relação pode ser directamente aplicável a situações em que a imunidade está deficiente, como é o caso das doenças neoplásicas ou da imunossupressão após radio ou quimioterapia. O trabalho apresentado nesta dissertação iniciou-se com o desenvolvimento de um novo método laboratorial para medir directamente a diversidade do reportório celular (Capítulo III). Reduções da diversidade do reportório dos receptores de células T têm sido relacionadas com um estado de imunodeficiência. O método desenvolvido utiliza “gene chips”, aos quais hibridizam os ácidos nucleicos codificantes das cadeias proteicas dos receptores linfocitários. A diversidade é calculada com base na frequência de hibridização do ácido nucleico da amostra aos oligonucleótidos presentes no “gene chip”. De seguida, e utilizando este novo método e outras técnicas de quantificação celular examinei, num modelo animal, o papel que as células policlonais B e a imunoglobulina exercem sobre o desenvolvimento linfocitário T no timo, especificamente na aquisição de um reportório diverso de receptores T (Capítulos IV e V). Testei, então, a hipótese de que a presença no timo de péptidos mais diversos, como a imunoglobulna policlonal, induzisse a génese de precursores T mais diversos. Demonstrámos que a diversidade do compartimento T é aumentado pela presença de imunoglobulina policlonal. A imunoglobulina policlonal, e particularmente os fragmentos Fab desta molécula, representam as moléculas autólogas mais diversas presentes nos organismos vertebrados. Estes péptidos são apresentados por células apresentadoras de antigénio às células precursoras T no timo, durante o desenvolvimento celular T. Tal, provavelmente, contribui para a génese da diversidade dos receptores. Também demonstrámos que a presença de um reportório mais diverso de linfócitos T se associa a um incremento da função imunológica T in vivo. Uma diversidade de receptores T mais extensa parece permitir um reconhecimento e rejeição mais eficientes de um maior número de agressores internos e externos. Demonstrámos que ratinhos com receptores de células T (RCT) com maior diversidade rejeitam transplantes cutâneos discordantes para antigénios minor de histocompatibilidade mais rapidamente do que ratinhos com um menor reportório T (Capítulo V). Por outro lado, uma redução da diversidade do RCT, causada por timectomia de ratinhos de estirpes selvagens, mostrou aumentar significativamente a sobrevivência de transplantes cutâneos incompatíveis para o antigénio H-Y (antigénio minor de histocompatibilidade), indicando uma diminuição da função linfocitária T. Além disso, a reconstituição da diversidade dos linfócitos T em ratinhos com uma diversidade de reportório T diminuída, induzida pela administração de fragmentos Fab de imunoglobulina, conduz a um aumento da diversidade dos RCT e a uma diminuição significativa da sobrevivência dos enxertos cutâneos (Capítulo V). Estes resultados sugerem que o aumento do reportório de células T contribui para uma melhoria das funções celulares T e poderão ter implicações importantes na terapêutica e reconstitutição imunológica em contexto de SIDA, neoplasias, autoimunidade e após tratamentos mieloablativos. Baseado nos resultados anteriores, decidimos testar a hipótese clínica de que doentes com neoplasias hematológicas sujeitos a transplantação de precursores hematopoiéticos e com recuperação imunológica precoce após transplante teriam uma sobrevivência mais longa do que doentes que não recuperassem tão bem a sua imunidade. Analisámos a sobrevivência global e sobrevivência sem doença de 42 doentes com linfoma não Hodgkin de células do manto sujeitos a transplante autólogo de precursores hematopoiéticos (Capítulo VI). Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os doentes que recuperaram contagens mais elevadas de linfócitos imediatamente após o transplante autólogo, apresentaram uma sobrevivência global e sem progressão mais longa do que doentes que não recuperaram contagens linfocitárias tão precocemente. Estes resultados demonstram o efeito positivo de uma reconstitutição imunológica robusta após transplante de presursores hematopoiéticos, sobre a sobrevivência de doentes com neoplasias hematológicas. Do mesmo modo, estudámos o efeito que a recuperação de níveis séricos normais de imunoglobulina policlonal tem na sobrevivência de doentes com outras neoplasias hematológicas de linfócitos B, como o mieloma múltiplo,após transplante autólogo de precursos hematopoiéticos (Capítulo VII). A sobrevivência livre de doença dos 110 doentes com mieloma múltiplo analizados está associada com a sua capacidade de recuperar níveis séricos normais do compartmento policlonal de imunoglobulina. Estes resultados pioneiros indicam a importância da imunoglobulina policlonal para a génese de competência imunológica. Também estudámos o impacto de um sistema imunitário eficiente sobre a resposta ao tratamento com o anticorpo anti CD20, ituximab, em doentes com linfoma não Hodgkin (LNH) (Capítulo VIII). Os resultados mostram que doentes com valores mais elevados de linfócitos T CD4+ respondem melhor (em termos de maior sobrevida livre de doença) ao rituximab, do que doentes com valores mais baixos. Estas observações ilustram a necessidade de um sistema imunitário competente para o benefício clínico da terapêutica com rituximab em doentes com LNH. Em conclusão, o trabalho apresentado nesta dissertação demonstra que as células B e a imunoglobulina policlonal promovem a diversidade das células T no timo e melhoram a função linfocitária T periférica. Concomitantemente, também demonstrámos que, no contexto de reconstituição imune, por exemplo, após transplante autólogo de precursores hematopoiéticos em doentes com linfomas de células do manto, o número absoluto de linfócitos é uma factor independente da sobrevivência. Os resultados demonstram, também, a importância dos valores de linfocitos T na resposta ao tratamento com rituximab no caso de doentes com LNH. O mesmo princípio se prova pelo facto de que doentes com mieloma múltiplo sujeitos a transplante autólogo de precursores hematopoiéticos que recuperam valores normais séricos de imunoglobulinas policlonais, terem melhores taxas de resposta em comparação com doentes que não recuperam valores normais de imunoglobulinas policlonais. Estes resultados podem ter importantes aplicações na prática clínica dado que a maioria dos tratamentos de doenças neoplásicas implica imunossupressão e, subsequente, recuperação imunológica. Estes estudos podem ser um instrumento fundamental para uma melhor compreensão do sistema imune e guiar uma escolha mais eficiente de opções terapêuticas bem como contribuir para a concepção de futuros estudos clínicos.

京都大学
新制・課程博士
博士(医学)
甲第23419号
医博第4764号
新制||医||1052(附属図書館)
京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻
(主査)教授 滝田 順子, 教授 杉田 昌彦, 教授 朝長 啓造
学位規則第4条第1項該当
Doctor of Medical Science
Kyoto University
DFAM

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2007.
Title from electronic title page (viewed Mar. 26, 2008). "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine." Discipline: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Department/School: Medicine.

All multicellular organisms constantly need to replace aged or damaged cells. This vital task of tissue homeostasis is fulfilled by stem cells. The balance between self-renewal and differentiation of the stem cell is crucial for this task and tightly regulated by a signaling microenvironment termed the niche. A widely used model for studying stem cell niche biology is the Drosophila testis, where two stem cell populations, the germline stem cells (GSCs) and the somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs), reside in a niche located at the apical tip. A lot is known about the signals regulating GSC maintenance in the testicular niche. It is, however, unknown how the spatial regulation of these signals defines the range of the niche. Here I show, that Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling is specifically activated at the interface of niche and stem cells. This local activation is achieved by coupling the transport of adhesion and signaling molecules in the niche cells and directing their transport to contact sites of niche and stem cells. Localized niche signaling at junctions underlies the so called stem-cell-niche synapse hypothesis proposed for the mammalian hematopoietic stem cell niche. I have shown that disrupting the localized transport causes premature differentiation and stem cell loss. BMP signaling between niche and GSCs therefore provides the first description of a stem-cell-niche synapse and will yield valuable insights into mammalian stem cell biology. The CySCs reside in the niche of the testis together with the GSCs. To understand how the niche maintains both stem cell types in a concerted way, it is essential to know the pathways regulating both stem cell types. Here I show that Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a key stem cell factor of CySCs, while only indirectly affecting GSCs. Loss of Hh signaling in CySCs results in premature differentiation and consequent loss of the cells. Overactivation of the pathway leads to an increased proliferation and an expansion of the cyst stem cell compartment. As Hh signaling is also a regulator of the somatic cells in the mammalian testis and the Drosophila ovary this may reflect a higher degree of homology between these systems than previously expected.

In the quest to master ocular surface regeneration, one must isolate the stem cells at the limbus and understand them. The stem cell niche is a concept that-was first described in 1978 and subsequently gained interest and became widely accepted. The work presented in Chapter 2 sought to characterize the stem cell niche at the ocular surface, and in doing so led to further understanding of stem cells at the limbus. In Chapter 3 the sampling of infant tissue provided further insight into the niche at that age group. In Chapter 4, Desmoglein 3 was hypothesized to be a negative stem cell marker. Finally in Chapter 5, the Amniotic Membrane was investigated as a possible surrogate stem cell niche. The stem cells at the limbus have not been isolated yet, but hopefully we are one step closer to mastering ocular surface reconstruction.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation is applied in the management of cancer. It involves myeloablative chemoradiotherapy followed by infusion of donor stem cells. The characteristics of the donor stern cells influences transplant outcomes which itself, is dependent on the donor characteristics. The purpose of this thesis was to explore preferences over donor characteristics. A systematic review was performed to identify all donor characteristics associated with outcome. Eight traditional and 5 non-traditional characteristics were identified. The results of the review were used to inform a survey of the Canadian Bone Marrow Transplant Group which primarily includes transplant physicians. An online survey and conjoint analysis of Canadian Bone Marrow Transplant Group members was performed to define relative importance of donor characteristics. Canadian Bone Marrow Transplant Group members, including transplant physicians caring for adults strongly indicate preference for donors related to recipients (HR 2.97) over the donor's age, gender and cytomegalovirus compatibility.

The bone marrow (BM) niche provides hematopoietic stem (HSC) and progenitor cells with many exogenous cues that tightly regulate homeostasis. These cues orchestrate cellular decisions, which are difficult to dissect and analyze in vivo. This thesis introduces a novel in vitro platform that permits systematic studies of BM-relevant factors that regulate homeostasis. Specifically, the role of 3D patterned adhesion ligands and soluble cytokines were studied in a combinatorial fashion. Analysis of human HSC differentiation and proliferation at both population and single cell level showed synergistic and antagonistic effects of adhesion- and cytokine-related signals. Those effects were dependent on the cytokine concentration and the distribution and number of adhesion ligands. The aim of this thesis was to model the in vivo bone marrow with its porous 3D structure and different sized niche compartments using a microcavity culture carrier. The developed culture system presented extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion ligands to the HSCs in various defined dimensions ranging from single- to multi-cell capacity. The 3D open well geometry of the microcavity carriers also allowed HSCs to freely explore different scenarios including homing, migration, adhesion, or suspension. Furthermore, the developed setup offered straightforward accessibility to analytical methods like cytometry and quantitative microscopy. Single cell analysis of adherent HSCs showed decreased DNA synthesis and higher levels of stem cell marker expression within single cell microcavities under low cytokine conditions . This effect was reflected in a decline of proliferation and differentiation with decreasing microcavity size. When the cytokine concentration was increased2 beyond physiological levels the inhibitory effect on proliferation and differentiation due to single-cell-microcavity adherence was diminished. This result highlighted the fine balance between adhesion related and soluble cues regulating HSC fate. Within small microcavities more adhesion related receptors were engaged due to the 3D character of the culture carrier compared to multi-cell wells or conventional 2D cell culture plates. This study demonstrated that adhesion-related signal activation leads to reduced proliferation and differentiation. This geometry-based effect could be reversed by increased cytokine supplementation in the culture media. For plane substrates, HSCs attachment to fibronectin or heparin initiated early cell cycle entry compared to non-adherent cells during the initial 24h. Cytokine supplemented media favored integrin activation that induced fast adhesion, ultimately leading to early cell cycle activation. However, after prolonged cell culture the system balanced itself with a lower cycling rate of adherent versus non-adherent HSCs. Furthermore, HSCs within the 3-dimensionality of the microcavities cycled less than 2D adherent cells. These findings additionally supported the above stated idea of limited HSC proliferation as a consequence of more adhesion-related signals overwriting cytokine driven expansion. To complement the various in vitro studies, an in vivo repopulation study was performed. Cultured HSCs derived from single cell microcavities outperformed freshly isolated HSCs in a competitive repopulation assay, indicating that carefully engineered substrates are capable of preserving stem cell potential. Overall the reported findings provide a promising in vitro culture strategy that allows the stem cell field to gain a better understanding of the impact of distinct exogenous signals on human HSCs, which discloses new concepts for the wide scientific community working towards tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Die Homöostase der Hämatopoietischen Stamm- und Vorläuferzellen (HSC) in der Knochenmark Nische wird von einer Vielzahl exogener Faktoren gezielt reguliert. Diese Faktoren orchestrieren intrazelluläre Vorgänge, deren in vivo Analyse kompliziert ist. Die vorliegende These widmet sich einem neuen biotechnologischen Ansatz, der systematische Studien von Knochenmark-relevanten Faktoren ermöglicht. Im Speziellen wurde die Rolle 3D-präsentierter Zell Adhäsionsliganden in Kombination mit verschiedenen Konzentrationen löslicher Zytokine untersucht. Die Auswertung der Proliferation und Differenzierung von humanen HSC auf Einzelzell- und Populationsebene offenbarte die synergistischen und antagonistischen Effekte von Adhäsions- und Zytokinsignalen in ihrer Abhängigkeit von der Verteilung und der Anzahl von Adhäsionsliganden sowie der Zytokinkonzentration. Um die poröse Struktur des Knochenmarks in vivo-ähnlich darzustellen, wurde eine Zellkultur Plattform mit Mikrokavitäten verschiedenster Dimensionen von Multi- bis Einzelzellgröße entwickelt und mit Molekülen der extrazellulären Matrix beschichtet. Die Vorteile dieser Plattform liegen in der offenen 3D-Geometrie dieses mikrokavitäten Kultursystems, die den Zellen ermöglichte verschiedene Wachstumsbedingungen bezüglich Homing, Migration, Adhäsion oder Suspension frei zu erkunden. Das leicht zugängliche Setup eignete sich zudem hervorragend für die zytometrische Analyse der Zellen oder die quantitative Mikroskopie. Die Einzelzellanalyse adhärenter HSC ergab eine Reduktion von DNA Synthese und eine höhere Expression von Stammzelloberflächenfaktoren innerhalb der Einzelzell-Mikrokavitäten bei niedrigen Zytokinkonzentrationen . Dieser Effekt spiegelte sich auch auf Populationsebene in verminderter Proliferation und Differenzierung mit abnehmender Größe der Mikrokavitäten wider. Wurde die Zytokinkonzentration jedoch weit über physiologische Bedingungen erhöht, verminderte sich der Effekt (reduzierte DNA Synthese und höhere Stammzellfaktorexpression) beschrieben für die Einzelzellmikrokavitäten. Dieses Ergebnis verdeutlicht die empfindliche intrazelluläre Balance, vermittelt durch Adhäsionsignale und löslichen Faktoren, die das Verhalten von HSCs regulieren. Aufgrund des 3D-Charakters des Zellkulturträgers wurden innerhalb kleiner Mikrokavitäten mehr Adhäsionsrezeptoren ringsum die Zelle aktiviert. Dieser Vorteil gegenüber den Multizellkavitäten oder der herkömmlichen 2D–Zellkultur ermöglichte eine hohe Anzahl adhäsionsvermittelter Signale mit entsprechend höherer Proliferations-inhibitorischer Wirkung. Je höher die Konzentration der Zytokine war, desto stärker erfolgte die Stimulation der Proliferation und Differenzierung. Auf 2D Substraten, initiierte Adhäsion zu Fibronektin und Heparin innerhalb der ersten 24h einen frühen Zell-Zyklus-Start im Gegensatz zu nicht adhärenten Zellen. Die Zytokine im Zellmedium förderten die Integrin Aktivierung, was zu einer schnellen Zelladhäsion führte. Die Adhäsionsrezeptoren wiederum kooperieren mit Zytokinrezeptoren im Zellinneren und begünstigten damit einen zeitigeren Zell-Zyklus- Start. Allerdings stellte sich danach ein Gleichgewicht im Kultursystem ein, wobei weniger adhärente Zellen als nicht-adhärente Zellen den Zellzyklus durchliefen. Des Weiteren war die Zellzyklusrate innerhalb von 3D Mikrokavitäten niedriger verglichen mit herkömmlichen 2D Substraten. Diese Ergebnisse bestätigen ferner obenstehende These, dass Zytokin-induzierte Zellexpansion durch erhöhte Zelladhäsions-vermittelte Signale überschrieben wird. Um die in vitro Studien zu komplettieren wurde ein in vivo Repopulationsversuch durchgeführt. HSC kultiviert auf Einzel-Zell-Mikrokavitäten übertrafen frisch isolierte Konkurrenz-Zellen in einem kompetitiven Repopulationsversuch. Dieses erste Ergebnis zeigt, dass sich der Zellgröße entsprechende Biomaterialien für die erfolgreiche Stammzell-Kultur eignen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit bieten eine vielversprechende in vitro Zellkulturstrategie, die ein besseres Verständnis der Einflüsse von exogenen Signalen auf HSC erlaubt und damit eine Grundlage für neue Erkenntnisse in Richtung erfolgreicheres Tissue Engineering und klinische Anwendungen im Bereich der regenerativen Medizin bildet

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) transplantations are widely used for the treatment of hematological and non-hematological disorders in clinic. Successful transplantation requires sufficient number and efficient homing of HSCs. Many studies have focused on developing an effective strategy to expand functional HSC population. Some regulatory molecules have been recently shown great promise for controlling the amplification of HSCs. In these dissertation studies, I first aim to identify gene(s) and their allelic variants contributing to strain-specific difference in HSC numbers between C57BL/6 (B6, low) and DBA/2 (D2, high) mice by using a classic forward genetic approach. Firstly, 3 quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosome (Chr) 3,5 and 18 were mapped by linkage analyses and confirmed in congenic mice. Secondly, Chr.3 QTL affected several HSC number-related biological processes. The D2 allele increased cycling and self-renewal whereas it decreased apoptotic rates of HSCs. Both actions conspired to increase HSC population size. Lastly, a small number of differentially-expressed genes was identified in Chr.3 congenic HSCs by a microarray-based candidate gene method, and the differential expression of one candidate, latexin, was found to relate to HSC number variations. Our studies report the strong evidence for the potential functions of latexin in HSC number regulation, and they are important for understanding molecular mechanisms of stem cell regulation and developing effective stem cell expansion strategies for clinical applications. In the second part of my studies, I studied homing and engraftment capabilities of HSCs. By using functional assays for progenitor and stem cells, I first reported the absolute homing efficiencies of murine young or old donor cells into young or old recipient mice. The results indicated that homing of primitive hematopoietic cells was not efficient and significantly decreased by aging of donors and recipients. The proliferation and differentiation states of HSCs were also impaired by homing itself, as well as by donors' and recipients age. Moreover, the hematopoietic reconstitution dynamics following transplantation were also affected by aging. Together, these findings will provide useful information for clinical applications especially when older individuals increasing serve as stem cell donors for elderly patients.

Advances in understanding the developmental origins of hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs)—precisely the molecular mechanisms promoting their emergence and maturation—may lead to derivation of personalized HSCs, circumventing issues of immune mismatch during bone marrow transplantation. In mouse, it is widely accepted that HSCs emerge during mid-gestation from the caudal region of the embryo containing the dorsal aorta, which is called the aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM). The emergence occurs through an endothelial intermediate via a phenomenon called the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT), whereby endothelial cells round up to become HSCs. AGM HSCs subsequently seed the fetal liver and bone marrow near birth. In our first work, we have identified a novel inflammatory signaling axis PKA/CREB-BMP acting downstream of shear stress that regulates HSC emergence in the AGM via the EHT. In our second work, we have identified the inflammatory interferon-alpha/Jak-Stat pathway in the developmental maturation of these AGM HSCs, whose manipulation may lead to increased potency of reprogrammed HSCs for transplantation. Both signaling axes are novel inflammatory signals regulating normal HSC development, which have important applications in the derivation of HSCs from pluripotent stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are heterogeneous cell populations that are identified by their in vitro characteristics while their biological properties and in vivo identities are often less understood. Different from human teeth, mouse incisors grow and erupt continuously throughout their lives and compensate for daily abrasions with the existence of stem cells. However, the precise location of the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the incisor is unclear. Generally, the MSCs in the mouse incisor are believed to be located in the mesenchyme close to the epithelium cervical loops, since the growth and differentiation of the incisor always initiates at the apical end and extends towards the incisal end. The utilization of label-retaining experiments and transgenic reporter mouse lines has enabled further understanding of the less established identities and properties of dental pulp stem cells in vivo. The work described in this thesis demonstrates that the mesenchymal stem cell niche located at the apical end of mouse incisor contains three distinct but connected cell populations: 1) a slow cycling cell population containing Thy-1+ cells essential for tooth dental pulp and odontoblast formation 2) a Ring1/Bcor-associated fast cycling cell population crucial for maintaining tissue growth and homeostasis of epithelium stem cells in labial cervical loop 3) a quiescent long-term cell population marked by Flamingo homologue Celsr1 might respond to generate new stem cells when the stem cells become depleted.

Ischaemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and chronic disability for which there is no effective treatment. The subventricular zone (SVZ) is an adult neurogenic niche which mediates limited endogenous repair following stroke. To harness this phenomenon for therapy, it is important to understand how the SVZ niche is altered in stroke, and the processes that recruit neural precursors to the site of injury, which becomes a de facto neurogenic niche. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside binding protein involved in cellular adhesion, inflammation and tumour metastasis. Gal-3 is specifically expressed in the SVZ and maintains neuroblast migration to the olfactory bulb, although its role in post-stroke neurogenesis is not well-understood. Therefore, this project aimed to (1) characterise the cytoarchitecture of the SVZ in response to stroke, and (2) examine the role of Gal-3 in stroke outcome and tissue remodelling, and test the hypothesis that Gal-3 is required for neuroblast ectopic migration into the ischaemic striatum. Using the intraluminal filament model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice, and whole mounts of the lateral ventricular wall, significant SVZ reactive astrocytosis and increased vascular branching were observed, thereby disrupting the neuroblast migratory scaffold. Stroke increased SVZ cell proliferation without increase in cell death. Post-stroke ependymal cells were enlarged and non-proliferative, and assumed a reactive astroglial phenotype, expressing de novo high levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein. This was associated with focal planar cell polarity misalignment, and turbulent and decreased rate of cerebrospinal fluid flow. These findings demonstrate significant changes in multiple SVZ cell types which are positioned to influence post-stroke neurogenesis and regulation of the neural stem cell niche Gal-3 was up-regulated in the ischaemic brain and ipsilateral SVZ. To elucidate the role of Gal-3 after stroke, MCAO was performed in wildtype and Gal-3 null (Gal-3^-/-) mice, and parameters of stroke outcome and post-stroke neurogenesis compared. The deletion of Gal-3 did not affect infarct volumes or neurological outcomes, although neuroblast migration into the ischaemic striatum was increased in Gal-3^-/- brains. Gal-3^-/- mice failed to mount an angiogenic response in the ischaemic striatum, and this was associated with lower levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and increased anti-angiogenic protein levels. Loss of Gal-3 further disrupted the pro-proliferative neural-vascular interaction at the basement membrane. The current data indicate that Gal-3 is a pleiotropic molecule which has distinct roles in both the SVZ and the post-stroke striatum as niches of adult neurogenesis.