Blood online
Home About Blood Authors Subscriptions Permission Advertising Public Access contact us
 

 
Advanced
Current Issue
First Edition
Future Articles
Archives
Submit to Blood
Search
American Society of Hematology
Meeting Abstracts
Email Alerts
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Right arrow Rights and Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Müller-Sieburg, C. E.
Right arrow Articles by Riblet, R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Müller-Sieburg, C. E.
Right arrow Articles by Riblet, R.
Related Collections
Right arrow Brief Reports
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?

arrow to previous article Previous Article  |  Table of Contents  |  Next Article next article arrow

Blood, Vol. 95 No. 7 (April 1), 2000: pp. 2446-2448

BRIEF REPORT

Genetic control of hematopoietic stem cell frequency in mice is mostly cell autonomous

Christa E. Müller-Sieburg, Rebecca H. Cho, Hans B. Sieburg, Sergey Kupriyanov, and Roy Riblet

From the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center; Department of Mathematics, University of California, San Diego; The Burnham Institute, La Jolla; and Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, CA.


    Abstract
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Study design
Results and discussion
References

Previously we reported that the size of the stem cell compartment (measured as LTC-IC) is 11-fold greater in DBA/2 than in C57BL/6 mice, and we identified genes that regulate the size of the stem cell pool. To determine whether stem cell intrinsic or extrinsic events account for these differences, we created chimeras by aggregating morulae from the strains C57BL/6 and DBA/2. In these chimeras stem cells of both genotypes are exposed to a common mixed environment. Thus, an equalization of stem cell frequencies is expected if stem cell extrinsic effects dominate. Conversely, the parental ratio of LTC-IC should be preserved if the regulation is stem cell autonomous. For each chimera, individual LTC-IC were genotyped on the clonal levels by analyzing their progeny. We found that most of the difference that regulates the size of the stem cell compartment was intrinsic. (Blood. 2000;95:2446-2448)

© 2000 by The American Society of Hematology.


    Introduction
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Study design
Results and discussion
References

The mechanisms that control the maintenance of the stem cell pool remain incompletely understood.1 Previously, we showed that the size of the stem cell compartment is regulated by a set of genes, named stem cell frequency regulator (Scfr) genes.2 Several Scfr genes were identified and mapped after the demonstration that the frequency of long-term culture initiating cells (LTC-IC) differs noticeably between inbred strains of mice.2-4

Here we used B6left-right-arrow D2 aggregation chimeras to examine whether the Scfr genes act stem cell intrinsically or extrinsically though the environment. In aggregation chimeras, stem cell behavior can be compared directly without the potential complications inherent in allogeneic transplantation systems. The aggregation chimera system has been used to study stem cell tolerance and repopulation kinetics.5-7 Using a new method in which individual LTC-IC were genotyped in a mixed environment, we show that the control of the size of the stem cell pool is predominantly stem cell intrinsic.


    Study design
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Study design
Results and discussion
References

Mice

B6 and D2 mice (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME) as well as CD-1 female and vasectomized male mice (Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA) were maintained at our facility. Aggregation chimeras were generated using the "darning needle."7 To avoid complications due to chimeric drift, seen in some aging D2left-right-arrow B6 chimeras,8,9 all mice were tested before 6 months of age.

Long-term culture initiating cells assay

As described,2 bone marrow cells were cultured on S17 stroma in Dexter-type medium in 96-well plate cultures. Wells that contained a colony of small granulocytic cells were enumerated 4 weeks later. LTC-IC frequencies were calculated from maximum likelihood statistics.10

Genotyping by immunofluorescence

Anti-H-2d and anti-H-2b mAb (Pharmingen, San Diego, CA) were used for FACScan genotyping (Becton Dickinson, Mountain View, CA) of bone marrow and spleen cells and the progeny of LTC-IC. LTC-IC progeny were gated to include only small granulocytic cells as defined by forward and side scatter and expression of the granulocytic marker Gr-1 (mAb 8C5). This excluded macrophages, stromal cells, and other long-lived cells from the analysis. Staining of greater than or equal to 5% above background (isotype-matched controls) was considered positive.

Generation of bone marrow stroma

As described,11 bone marrow stroma was derived by culturing bone marrow cells in Dexter medium at a low density until the adherent cells were confluent. Two treatments with mycophenolic acid removed residual hematopoietic cells.

Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction genotyping

B6 and D2 contributions to B6left-right-arrow D2 tissues were quantitated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a microsatellite, D1Mit415. Bands were quantitated using the public domain NIH image program (http://rsb.info.nih.gov/nih-image/).

Optimal model mixing

The chimerism in bone marrow was used to predict the expected ratios of LTC-IC for intrinsic and extrinsic models for each animal. Optimal model mixing (OMM) is based on least-squares fitting. OMM determined optimal weights that quantify the relative contribution of each model to the actual data. Details of the method are available from http://www.skcc.org/skcc-staff/muller/scfrdata.html.


    Results and discussion
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Study design
Results and discussion
References

Genotyping individual LTC-IC

To accurately measure the composition of the LTC-IC compartment in each chimera, we combined a functional stem cell assay with immunofluorescence-based genotyping of individual LTC-IC. The LTC-IC assay that we used to identify the strain differences is linear and measures a single limiting cell, the LTC-IC.2 Thus, in limiting dilution conditions, the cells in each colony are the descendants of a single LTC-IC. Consequently, genotyping the cells in each colony identifies the genotype of the LTC-IC progenitor. As a proof of principle, we mixed equal numbers of B6 and D2 bone marrow cells and plated the cell mixture in limiting dilution cultures. Individual clones (wells) were harvested after 4 weeks of culture, and cells were stained with mAbs specific for H-2b and H-2d. Only cultures that showed at least 37% negative wells were analyzed, and stringent gating assured exclusion of long-lived macrophages and stromal cells from the analysis. Data from 2 independent experiments are depicted in Figure 1. In each experiment LTC-IC levels in parental and mixed bone marrow cells were assessed, and these values were compared with the ratio of D2 and B6 LTC-IC found in the mixed bone marrows. The data indicate that B6 and D2 stem cells behaved independently. Thus, this assay is appropriate for the direct examination of LTC-IC frequencies in B6left-right-arrow D2 chimeras.


View larger version (30K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Fig 1. Mixtures of D2 and B6 marrow maintain the parental ratio of LTC-IC in culture. Bone marrow cells from D2, B6, and a 1:1 mixture of the marrows were plated onto S17 stroma. Between 48 and 192 wells were seeded for each cell concentration. The data depicted are from 2 independent experiments, a dashed vertical line separates different experiments. LTC-IC values (per 105 cells seeded) at 4 weeks of culture are indicated above the figure. Positive wells were then harvested and the cells from each well were stained with mAb specific for H2d (D2, white bars) and H2b (B6, black bars). Because the cells in each microculture were derived from an LTC-IC, the genotype of the differentiated progeny establishes the genotype of the LTC-IC. The plating density (cells/well), percentage negative wells, and number of wells tested for each cell dilution (n) is indicated below the figure.

Long-term culture initiating cell ratios in B6left-right-arrow D2 chimeras

Six aggregation chimeras that showed between 26% to 74% B6 contribution were analyzed in detail. The extent of chimerism was measured in spleen, bone marrow, bone marrow stroma, coat color, kidney, and heart tissues, and demonstrated that these mice were thorough parental mixtures (Table 1). Heart tissue was chosen because heart muscle and bone marrow stromal cells are developmentally related.12,13 Bone marrow stromal cells from 3 of the chimeras were also PCR typed, and the results confirm a chimeric microenvironment.

                              
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1. Contribution of the parental genotype to individual aggregation chimeras and the genetic composition of LTC-IC in bone marrow

The chimerism in the LTC-IC compartment was measured by typing the progeny of individual LTC-IC as outlined above. Table 1 depicts the number of clones tested for each animal, the ratio of LTC-IC contributed from each parental strain, and the calculated values expected for the intrinsic and extrinsic models, respectively. In control experiments (n = 9) with parental D2 and B6 mice, we found 37.7 ± 5.8 and 3.4 ± 1.1 LTC-IC per 105 cells seeded, respectively, agreeing well with previously published results.2 Thus, the mean difference of 11-fold in LTC-IC levels was used as a weighting factor to calculate the expected intrinsic values. For example, the chimera M2 showed 30% B6 cells in marrow (Table 1). Thus, if the regulation is extrinsic, 30% of the LTC-IC should be of B6 genotype. For intrinsic regulation, we expect 1 × 30% B6 and 11 × 70% D2 LTC-IC, resulting in 3.8% B6 contribution.

It is apparent that the LTC-IC ratios fit neither model well. Rather, the data suggest a mixed model, although weighted toward the intrinsic model. To quantitate the contributions of the extrinsic and autonomous models to the data, we devised a mathematical method, based on least-square fitting. This analysis showed that the model with the best fit to the data comprises 83.8% ± 4.7% intrinsic and 16% extrinsic contributions. Thus, the model supports the conclusion that the Scfr genes act mostly, but not exclusively, in a stem cell autonomous manner to control the size of the stem cell pool.

We assumed that stem cells from both parental strains have equal access to cellular and humoral influences from both parents in the aggregation chimeras. This is probable for secreted molecules from both the macro- and the microenvironment. Similarly, it is likely that stem cells will seed to and will use stromal niches of both genotypes. During development, establishment of the stroma precedes seeding by stem cells.14,15 Moreover, stromal cells and hematopoietic cells can differ in genotype without affecting their interaction.16

The discovery that the size of the stem cell pool differs amongst humans17 and inbred strains of mice2-3 galvanizes a search for genes regulating stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Our prior work indicated the effect of multiple genes.2 Now we show that the regulation of the size of the stem cell compartment is mostly stem cell intrinsically regulated; this will focus efforts to clone the relevant genes.


    Acknowledgment

The excellent technical assistance of America Mauhar is gratefully acknowledged.


    Footnotes

Submitted July 1, 1999; accepted December 10, 1999.

Supported through grants DK48015 and DK52177 from the National Institutes of Health.

Reprints: Christa E. Müller-Sieburg, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, 10835 Altman Row, San Diego, CA 92121; email: cmuller{at}skcc.org.

The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. Therefore, and solely to indicate this fact, this article is hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. section 1734.


    References
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Study design
Results and discussion
References

1. Deryugina EI, Müller-Sieburg CE. The stromal cells' guide to the stem cell universe. Stem Cells. 1995;13:477[Abstract].

2. Müller-Sieburg CE, Riblet R. Genetic control of the frequency of hematopoietic stem cells in mice: mapping of a candidate locus to chromosome 1. J Exp Med. 1996;183:1141[Abstract/Free Full Text].

3. de Haan G, Nijhof W, Van Zant G. Mouse strain-dependent changes in frequency and proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells during aging: correlation between lifespan and cycling activity. Blood. 1997;89:1543[Abstract/Free Full Text].

4. de Haan G, Van Zant G. Intrinsic and extrinsic control of hemopoietic stem cell numbers: mapping of a stem cell gene. J Exp Med. 1997;186:529[Abstract/Free Full Text].

5. Van Zant G, Eldridge PW, Behringer RR, Dewey MJ. Genetic control of hematopoietic kinetics revealed by analyses of allophenic mice and stem cell suicide. Cell. 1983;35:639[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

6. Mintz B, Palm J. Gene control of hematopoiesis. I. Erythrocyte mosaicism and permanent immunological tolerance in allophenic mice. J Exp Med. 1969;129:1013[Abstract].

7. Nagy A, Rossant J. Production of completely ES cell derived fetuses. In: Joyner AL, ed. Gene Targeting, A Practical Approach. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1993:147.

8. Van Zant G, Micus KS, Thompson BP, Fleischman RA, Perkins S. Stem cell quiescence/activation is reversible by serial transplantation and is independent of stromal cell genotype in mouse aggregation chimeras. Exp Hematol. 1992;20:470[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

9. Behringer RR, Eldridge PW, Dewey MJ. Stable genotypic composition of blood cells in allophenic mice derived from congenic C57BL/6 strains. Dev Biol. 1984;101:251[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

10. Zhong RK, Astle CM, Harrison DE. Distinct developmental patterns of short-term and long-term functioning lymphoid and myeloid precursors defined by competitive limiting dilution analysis in vivo. J Immunol. 1996;157:138[Abstract].

11. Wineman JP, Nishikawa S-I, Müller-Sieburg CE. Maintenance of high levels of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells in vitro: effect of stromal cells and c-kit. Blood. 1993;81:365[Abstract/Free Full Text].

12. Makino S, Fukuda K, Miyoshi S, et al. Cardiomyocytes can be generated from marrow stromal cells in vitro. J Clin Invest. 1999;103:697[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

13. Ferrari G, Cusella-De Angelis G, Coletta M, et al. Muscle regeneration by bone marrow-derived myogenic progenitors. Science. 1998;279:1528[Abstract/Free Full Text].

14. Van den Heuvel RL, Versele SR, Schoeters GE, Vanderborght OL. Stromal stem cells (CFU-f) in yolk sac, liver, spleen and bone marrow of pre- and postnatal mice. Br J Haematol. 1987;66:15[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

15. Wolf NS, Bertoncello I, Jiang D, Priestley G. Developmental hematopoiesis from prenatal to young-adult life in the mouse model. Exp Hematol. 1995;23:142[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

16. Deryugina EI, Müller-Sieburg CE. Stromal cells in long-term cultures: keys to the elucidation of hematopoietic development? Crit Rev Immunol. 1993;13:115[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].

17. Koller MR, Manchel I, Brott DA, Palsson B. Donor-to-donor variability in the expansion potential of human bone marrow cells is reduced by accessory cells but not by soluble growth factors. Exp Hematol. 1996;24:1484[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].


© 2000 by The American Society of Hematology.
 

Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
BloodHome page
I. Roeder, K. Horn, H.-B. Sieburg, R. Cho, C. Muller-Sieburg, and M. Loeffler
Characterization and quantification of clonal heterogeneity among hematopoietic stem cells: a model-based approach
Blood, December 15, 2008; 112(13): 4874 - 4883.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
H. B. Sieburg, R. H. Cho, B. Dykstra, N. Uchida, C. J. Eaves, and C. E. Muller-Sieburg
The hematopoietic stem compartment consists of a limited number of discrete stem cell subsets
Blood, March 15, 2006; 107(6): 2311 - 2316.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
H. Geiger, G. Rennebeck, and G. Van Zant
Regulation of hematopoietic stem cell aging in vivo by a distinct genetic element
PNAS, April 5, 2005; 102(14): 5102 - 5107.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
I. Roeder, L. M. Kamminga, K. Braesel, B. Dontje, G. de Haan, and M. Loeffler
Competitive clonal hematopoiesis in mouse chimeras explained by a stochastic model of stem cell organization
Blood, January 15, 2005; 105(2): 609 - 616.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Stem CellsHome page
L. M. Kamminga, R. van Os, A. Ausema, E. J. K. Noach, E. Weersing, B. Dontje, E. Vellenga, and G. de Haan
Impaired Hematopoietic Stem Cell Functioning After Serial Transplantation and During Normal Aging
Stem Cells, January 1, 2005; 23(1): 82 - 92.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
C. E. Muller-Sieburg, R. H. Cho, L. Karlsson, J.-F. Huang, and H. B. Sieburg
Myeloid-biased hematopoietic stem cells have extensive self-renewal capacity but generate diminished lymphoid progeny with impaired IL-7 responsiveness
Blood, June 1, 2004; 103(11): 4111 - 4118.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
A. Shanker, N. Auphan-Anezin, P. Chomez, L. Giraudo, B. V. d. Eynde, and A.-M. Schmitt-Verhulst
Thymocyte-Intrinsic Genetic Factors Influence CD8 T Cell Lineage Commitment and Affect Selection of a Tumor-Reactive TCR
J. Immunol., April 15, 2004; 172(8): 5069 - 5077.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
H. Geiger, J. M. True, G. de Haan, and G. Van Zant
Age- and stage-specific regulation patterns in the hematopoietic stem cell hierarchy
Blood, November 15, 2001; 98(10): 2966 - 2972.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Right arrow Rights and Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Müller-Sieburg, C. E.
Right arrow Articles by Riblet, R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Müller-Sieburg, C. E.
Right arrow Articles by Riblet, R.
Related Collections
Right arrow Brief Reports
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?

 click for free articles
home about blood authors subscriptions permissions advertising public access contact us
  Copyright © 2000 by American Society of Hematology         Online ISSN: 1528-0020