My research background in hematopoietic stem biology plus my developing expertise in zebrafish genetics and hematopoiesis provide me with the knowledge to perform the proposed research. Combined with the research plan, completion of the career development plan put forward in this grant is essential for me to reach my ultimate goal of directing an independent research group studying hematopoietic stem cells within their endogenous microenvironments. Research Description In response to acute injuries to the blood system, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are stimulated to proliferate and differentiate to regenerate the damaged blood system. If left unchecked, uncontrolled proliferation could result in a leukemic disease state. Greater insight into the in vivo regulation of adult HSC will lead to improved treatment for a variety of hematologic and cancer disorders. The genetic factors underlying this process are poorly understood. Following sublethal irradiation, the first population of blood cells to return is the multilineage precursors (MLP), thus we utilized the rate and extent of MLP recovery as a surrogate phenotype for the activation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC). Transient stimulation of the Wnt signaling pathway after irradiation led to an enhanced HSPC activation. The Wnt signaling pathway has been implicated in both normal and malignant hematopoiesis, but the there is still controversy surrounding the in vivo requirement and mechanism of Wnt activation in HSC. To uncover modifiers of Wnt-mediated HSPC activation, we employed candidate and screening approaches. Through interaction studies, we defined a synergistic relationship between the BMP and Wnt signaling pathways to increase HSPC activation. In parallel, we implemented a forward genetic screen to identify novel regulators of adult HSPC activation. We performed a sensitized F1 dominant enhancer screen in adult zebrafish for factors that enhance Wnt-mediated HSPC expansion. Over 600 fish were screened, 19 potential mutants were initially identified, and 4 of these have confirmed inherited traits. Prior to further phenotypic characterization in the mutants, we will identify the affected genes by positional cloning. As In vivo HSPC activation assays do not directly address the HSC autonomy of the expansions following Wnt or BMP stimulation or in the newly identified genetic mutants, additional experiments need to be performed. To resolve this question, in both Aims 1 and 2, we will first utilize quantitative hematopoietic cell transplantation assays to delineate effects on long-term HSC versus more mature multilineage progenitors. Secondly, we will examine HSPC activation in chimeric animals that have either mutant blood cells or mutant niche cells to determine the HSC intrinsic or extrinsic nature of the phenomena. Finally, we will elucidate the potential interplay between the altered components in the mutants and the Wnt and BMP signaling pathways. These studies will reveal the connections among pathways during the fine-tuned in vivo regulation of HSC proliferation. Exploitation of this knowledge in the clinical setting can improve therapies for the treatment of a variety of hematologic and cancer disorders. Completion of the proposed research will result in the development of a system to discover regulators specific for HSC within the adult niche through genetic screens, the identification of the factors by positional cloning of the affected genes, and placement of these factors within the context of known signaling pathways. In the future, this strategy can be applied to other aspects of HSC biology.

Public Health Relevance

Greater insight into the in vivo regulation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) will lead to improved treatment for a variety of hematologic and cancer disorders. Identification of novel regulators will broaden possible therapeutic targets. I will use zebrafish genetics to discover new factors modifying HSC expansion.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01DK085270-04
Application #
8326105
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Bishop, Terry Rogers
Project Start
2009-09-28
Project End
2013-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$132,300
Indirect Cost
$9,800
Name
Children's Hospital Boston
Department
Type
DUNS #
076593722
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
De La Garza, Adriana; Cameron, Rosannah C; Nik, Sara et al. (2016) Spliceosomal component Sf3b1 is essential for hematopoietic differentiation in zebrafish. Exp Hematol 44:826-837.e4
Bowman, Teresa V; Trompouki, Eirini; Zon, Leonard I (2012) Linking hematopoietic regeneration to developmental signaling pathways: a story of BMP and Wnt. Cell Cycle 11:424-5
Glass, Tiffany J; Lund, Troy C; Patrinostro, Xiaobai et al. (2011) Stromal cell-derived factor-1 and hematopoietic cell homing in an adult zebrafish model of hematopoietic cell transplantation. Blood 118:766-74
Trompouki, Eirini; Bowman, Teresa V; Dibiase, Anthony et al. (2011) Chromatin immunoprecipitation in adult zebrafish red cells. Methods Cell Biol 104:341-52
Trompouki, Eirini; Bowman, Teresa V; Lawton, Lee N et al. (2011) Lineage regulators direct BMP and Wnt pathways to cell-specific programs during differentiation and regeneration. Cell 147:577-89
Boles, Nathan C; Lin, Kuanyin K; Lukov, Georgi L et al. (2011) CD48 on hematopoietic progenitors regulates stem cells and suppresses tumor formation. Blood 118:80-7
Bowman, Teresa V; Zon, Leonard I (2010) Swimming into the future of drug discovery: in vivo chemical screens in zebrafish. ACS Chem Biol 5:159-61
Bowman, Teresa V; Zon, Leonard I (2009) Lessons from the Niche for Generation and Expansion of Hematopoietic Stem Cells. Drug Discov Today Ther Strateg 6:135-140