Dov Zipori

G-CSF induces stem cell mobilization by decreasing bone marrow SDF-1 and up-regulating CXCR4

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)–induced hematopoietic stem cell mobilization is widely used for clinical transplantation; however, the mechanism is poorly understood. We report here that G-CSF induced a reduction of the chemokine stromal cell–derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and an increase in its receptor CXCR4 in the bone marrow (BM), whereas their protein expression in the blood was less affected. The gradual decrease of BM SDF-1, due mostly to its degradation by neutrophil elastase, correlated with stem cell mobilization. Elastase inhibition reduced both activities. Human and murine stem cell mobilization was inhibited by neutralizing CXCR4 or SDF-1 antibodies, demonstrating SDF-1–CXCR4 signaling in cell egress. We suggest that manipulation of SDF-1–CXCR4 interactions may be a means with which to control the navigation of progenitors between the BM and blood to improve the outcome of clinical stem cell transplantation.

Systemic Delivery of Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to the Infarcted Myocardium Feasibility, Cell Migration, and Body Distribution

Background—Systemic delivery of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) is an attractive approach for myocardial repair. We aimed to test this strategy in a rat model after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results—BM-MSCs were obtained from rat bone marrow, expanded in vitro to a purity of >50%, and labeled with 99mTc exametazime, fluorescent dye, LacZ marker gene, or bromodeoxyuridine. Rats were subjected to MI by transient coronary artery occlusion or to sham MI. 99mTc-labeled cells (4×106) were transfused into the left ventricular cavity of MI rats either at 2 or 10 to 14 days after MI and were compared with sham-MI rats or MI rats treated with intravenous infusion. Gamma camera imaging and isolated organ counting 4 hours after intravenous infusion revealed uptake of the 99mTc-labeled cells mainly in the lungs, with significantly smaller amounts in the liver, heart, and spleen. Delivery by left ventricular cavity infusion resulted in drastically lower lung uptake, better uptake in the heart, and specifically higher uptake in infarcted compared with sham-MI hearts. Histological examination at 1 week after infusion identified labeled cells either in the infarcted or border zone but not in remote viable myocardium or sham-MI hearts. Labeled cells were also identified in the lung, liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Conclusions—Systemic intravenous delivery of BM-MSCs to rats after MI, although feasible, is limited by entrapment of the donor cells in the lungs. Direct left ventricular cavity infusion enhances migration and colonization of the cells preferentially to the ischemic myocardium.

Induction of the chemokine stromal-derived factor-1 following DNA damage improves human stem cell function

The chemokine stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) controls many aspects of stem cell function. Details of its regulation and sites of production are currently unknown. We report that in the bone marrow, SDF-1 is produced mainly by immature osteoblasts and endothelial cells. Conditioning with DNA-damaging agents (ionizing irradiation, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil) caused an increase in SDF-1 expression and in CXCR4-dependent homing and repopulation by human stem cells transplanted into NOD/SCID mice. Our findings suggest that immature osteoblasts and endothelial cells control stem cell homing, retention, and repopulation by secreting SDF-1, which also participates in host defense responses to DNA damage.

PSF and p54nrb/NonO – multi-functional nuclear proteins

Proteins are often referred to in accordance with the activity with which they were first associated or the organelle in which they were initially identified. However, a variety of nuclear factors act in multiple molecular reactions occurring simultaneously within the nucleus. This review describes the functions of the nuclear factors PSF (polypyrimidine tract‐binding protein‐associated splicing factor) and p54nrb/NonO. PSF was initially termed a splicing factor due to its association with the second step of pre‐mRNA splicing while p54nrb/NonO was thought to participate in transcriptional regulation. Recent evidence shows that the simplistic categorization of PSF and its homolog p54nrb/NonO to any single nuclear activity is not possible and in fact these proteins exhibit multi‐functional characteristics in a variety of nuclear processes.

Autocrine β-related interferon controls c-myc suppression and growth arrest during hematopoietic cell differentiation

Different hematopoietic cells produce minute amounts of beta-related interferon (IFN) following induction of differentiation by chemical or natural inducers. The endogenous IFN binds to type I cell surface receptors and modulates gene expression in the producer cells. We show that self-induction of two members of the IFN-induced gene family differs in the dose response sensitivity and the prolonged kinetics of mRNA accumulation from the response to exogenous IFN-beta 1. Production and response to endogenous IFN are also detected when bone marrow precursor cells differentiate to macrophages after exposure to colony stimulating factor 1. In M1 myeloid cells induced to differentiate by lung-conditioned medium, addition of antibodies against IFN-beta partially abrogates the reduction of c-myc mRNA and the loss in cell proliferative activity, which both occur during differentiation. The endogenous IFN therefore functions as an autocrine growth inhibitor that participates in controlling c-myc suppression and the specific G0/G1 arrest during terminal differentiation of hematopoietic cells.

The Origins of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Heterogeneity

Cultured mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) populations are best characterized by the capacity of some cells within this population to differentiate into mesodermal derivatives such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. However, this progenitor property is not shared by all cells within the MSC population. Furthermore, MSCs exhibit variability in their phenotypes, including proliferation capacity, expression of cell surface markers and ability to secrete cytokines. These facts raise three major questions: (1) Does the in vitro observed variability reflect the existence of MSC subsets in vivo? (2) What is the molecular basis of the in vitro observed heterogeneity? and (3) What is the biological significance of this variability? This review considers the possibility that the variable nature of MSC populations contributes to the capacity of adult mammalian tissues to adapt to varying microenvironmental demands.

p53 plays a role in mesenchymal differentiation programs, in a cell fate dependent manner.

Background The tumor suppressor p53 is an important regulator that controls various cellular networks, including cell differentiation. Interestingly, some studies suggest that p53 facilitates cell differentiation, whereas others claim that it suppresses differentiation. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate whether this inconsistency represents an authentic differential p53 activity manifested in the various differentiation programs. Methodology/Principal Findings To clarify this important issue, we conducted a comparative study of several mesenchymal differentiation programs. The effects of p53 knockdown or enhanced activity were analyzed in mouse and human mesenchymal cells, representing various stages of several differentiation programs. We found that p53 down-regulated the expression of master differentiation-inducing transcription factors, thereby inhibiting osteogenic, adipogenic and smooth muscle differentiation of multiple mesenchymal cell types. In contrast, p53 is essential for skeletal muscle differentiation and osteogenic re-programming of skeletal muscle committed cells. Conclusions These comparative studies suggest that, depending on the specific cell type and the specific differentiation program, p53 may exert a positive or a negative effect, and thus can be referred as a “guardian of differentiation” at large.

The stem state: plasticity is essential, whereas self-renewal and hierarchy are optional.

The prevailing stem cell concept is derived from the large body of evidence available on the structure of the blood‐generating system. Hemopoiesis is organized such that a multipotent stem cell, endowed with self‐renewal capacity, is viewed as being positioned at the origin of a hierarchical tree of branching specificities, increasing maturity and decreasing self‐renewal ability. Data accumulated in recent years on various stem cell systems often contradict this traditional view of stem cells and are reviewed herein. It is suggested that other options should be considered and put to experimental scrutiny; it is argued that the organization of the hemopoietic system may not represent a general structure of stem cell systems. The basic trait of the stem state is proposed to be plasticity. Self‐renewal is not a specific stem cell trait; rather, it is exhibited by some mature cell types, whereas other particular stem cells are endowed with relatively poor renewal ability. Hierarchical structuring is also proposed to be an optional stem cell trait and may exist only in specific tissues where it serves the need for rapid expansion. The stem state is therefore defined by the highest degree of plasticity of a cell, within the repertoire of cell types present in the organism.

Stress activated protein kinase p38 is involved in IL-6 induced transcriptional activation of STAT3.

The pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) induces acute phase protein expression in HepG2 human hepatoma cells and promotes the growth of mouse B9 hybridoma. The signaling cascades leading to these biological functions are only partially known. We analysed the involvement of MAPK homologues in IL-6 transduction pathways and found that interleukin-6 triggered activation of p38 stress-activated protein kinase (p38) but not of jun kinase. p38 activity was required for biological functions including acute phase protein secretion from HepG2 hepatoma and proliferation of B9 hybridoma cells. Using a reporter gene construct containing a 190 bp promoter fragment of the acute phase protein haptoglobin we found that p38 is involved in transcriptional activation of the haptoglobin promoter by STAT3 but not by NF-IL6. Thus, we present evidence for a role of p38 in IL-6 induced functions and a possible cross-talk between this MAPK homologue and the STAT pathway.

Involvement of p21 WAF1/Cip1 , CDK4 and Rb in activin A mediated signaling leading to hepatoma cell growth inhibition

Cytokines are growth inhibitory in a target cell specific manner. The signaling pathways that characterize each cell type play a crucial role in determining the responsiveness to cytokine triggering. Activin A has been shown to suppress the growth of primary hepatocytes. Similarly, the human HepG2 hepatoma cell line was growth arrested by activin A as judged by lack of cell proliferation and suppression of DNA synthesis. In HepG2 cells activin A further induced accumulation of retinoblastoma protein in the hypophosphorylated form known to prevent entrance into S phase. This finding implies the involvement of cyclin dependent kinases and CDK inhibitors. Examination of HepG2 cells following addition of activin A revealed reduced expression of CDK4 and conversely, an increase in the CKI p21WAF1/Cip1. This accumulation of p21WAF1/Cip1 protein was partly due to increased transcriptional activity. Functional inactivation of p53, using a miniprotein that oligomerizes with p53 and abrogates DNA binding, abolished the ability of activin A to induce transcriptional activation from the p21WAF1/Cip1 promoter. Thus, activin A, like transforming growth factor β, seems to suppress cell growth through the downstream target Rb. However, each of these cytokines seem to operate through a distinct pathway.