p18INK4C Is a Checkpoint For a Noncanonical Differentiation Path Of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Into Lymphoid Lineages
Authors: Hao Sha , Dong Fang , Cheng Hui , Ma Shihui , Wang Yajie , Yuan Weiping , Cheng Tao 
Published: October 2019

p18INK4C (CDKN2C, p18) is a negative regulator of cell cycle progression at early G1 phase. Deletion of p18 was indicated to be associated with T cell malignancies in mice and B cell malignancies in humans. It is an important indicator for the poor prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma. While the pathological effects of p18 absence can be attributed to the disruption of B cell differentiation or the hyper-response of T cell activation, the potential contribution of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) to the pathogenesis or defense in the absence of p18 is unknown. This is a logical and important question because p18 is also a known inhibitor for self-renewal of HSC and HSC has been thought to be involved in most if not all the hematopoietic malignancies.

To address this issue, we reexamined the phenotypic markers of HSC in the p18 deficient mice (p18-/-). Notably, we found a new stem cell like population, namely “Lin-Sca-1+c-kitlow (LSKlow)” (Fig.1) in p18-/- bone marrow (BM), which is apart from the known HSC phenotype, Lin-Sca-1+c-kit+ (LSK+). LSKlow expresses low level of c-kit and is negative for CD34 and IL-7R. It is also distinct from the common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), a canonical differentiation stage of HSC toward lymphoid lineage. LSKlow was observed only in p18-/- BM 12 weeks after birth and was not present in p18+/+ mice. Its frequency was similar with or higher than that of LSK+. To determine the differentiation potential of LSKlow into lymphoid vs. myeloid lineages, we cultured LSKlow cells with or without OP9/OP9-DL1 stromal cells in comparison with LSK+ cells and CLPs. Our results revealed that LSKlow cells could only be induced into lymphoid (including T, B and NK) cells as well as CLPs, while LSK+ cells could differentiate into both lymphoid and myeloid directions. In vivo transplantation further confirmed the differentiation spectrum of LSKlow cells and also indicated that LSKlow cells are derived from LSK+ cells. To obtain a molecular signature of LSKlow, we performed single cell qRT-PCR for the genes involved in HSC maintenance and lymphoid commitment. Our data showed similar expression profiles between LSK and LSKlow except higher levels of some but limited lymphoid genes such as Rag1, Rag2 and Foxo1 in LSKlow cells. In order to explore epigenetic mechanisms underlying the phenotypic alteration, we also examined a series of DNA methylation related genes. In comparison with LSK+ cells, LSKlow cells have a lower methylation level. This epigenetic alteration was consistent with down-regulation of DNA methyltransferases (including DNMT3a and DNMT3b) and elevation of a new class of the molecules involved in DNA demethylation (including Tet1, Tet2 and Tet3). We therefore speculate that these epigenetic changes may facilitate the formation of LSKlow cell population in p18-/- mice.

Our ongoing studies are determining the direct contribution of LSKlow cells to the lymphoid malignancies in the absence of p18. Nevertheless, this work reveals an interesting paradigm in which a new stem or progenitor cell population may emerge in the absence of a specific gene and this new stem cell like population due to the genetic abnormality may potentially participate in disease pathogenesis or defense.

Disclosures:

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.