Djoke van Gosliga

A Proteomics and Transcriptomics Approach to Identify Leukemic Stem Cell (LSC) Markers

Interactions between hematopoietic stem cells and their niche are mediated by proteins within the plasma membrane (PM) and changes in these interactions might alter hematopoietic stem cell fate and ultimately result in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, using nano-LC/MS/MS, we set out to analyze the PM profile of two leukemia patient samples. We identified 867 and 610 unique CD34+ PM (-associated) proteins in these AML samples respectively, including previously described proteins such as CD47, CD44, CD135, CD96, and ITGA5, but also novel ones like CD82, CD97, CD99, PTH2R, ESAM, MET, and ITGA6. Further validation by flow cytometry and functional studies indicated that long-term self-renewing leukemic stem cells reside within the CD34+/ITGA6+ fraction, at least in a subset of AML cases. Furthermore, we combined proteomics with transcriptomics approaches using a large panel of AML CD34+ (n = 60) and normal bone marrow CD34+ (n = 40) samples. Thus, we identified eight subgroups of AML patients based on their specific PM expression profile. GSEA analysis revealed that these eight subgroups are enriched for specific cellular processes.

Nonredundant and locus-specific gene repression functions of PRC1 paralog family members in human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

The Polycomb group (PcG) protein BMI1 is a key factor in regulating hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and leukemic stem cell self-renewal and functions in the context of the Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1). In humans, each of the 5 subunits of PRC1 has paralog family members of which many reside in PRC1 complexes, likely in a mutually exclusive manner, pointing toward a previously unanticipated complexity of Polycomb-mediated silencing. We used an RNA interference screening approach to test the functionality of these paralogs in human hematopoiesis. Our data demonstrate a lack of redundancy between various paralog family members, suggestive of functional diversification between PcG proteins. By using an in vivo biotinylation tagging approach followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to identify PcG interaction partners, we confirmed the existence of multiple specific PRC1 complexes. We find that CBX2 is a nonredundant CBX paralog vital for HSC and progenitor function that directly regulates the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, independently of BMI1 that dominantly controls expression of the INK4A/ARF locus. Taken together, our data show that different PRC1 paralog family members have nonredundant and locus-specific gene regulatory activities that are essential for human hematopoiesis.