Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) are a group of chronic hematologic malignancies characterized by the overproduction of myeloid lineage cells. The JAK2V617F mutation has been found in ~95% cases of PV and 50-60% cases of ET and PMF However, the contribution of JAK2V617F in these three different MPNs still remains unclear. Using an inducible JAK2V617F knock-in mouse, we have shown that expression of heterozygous JAK2V617F in hematopoietic compartments is sufficient to cause a PV-like disease whereas homozygous JAK2V617F expression accelerates the progression to myelofibrosis (MF). We also have shown that only JAK2V617F-expressing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the capacity to self-renew and propagate the MPN disease. However, the actual role of JAK2V617F in HSCs has remained unclear and controversial. Most studies are focused on the bone marrow (BM) HSC function. The contribution of spleen HSCs in the maintenance of JAK2V617F-evoked MPN remains unknown. We have found that the number of HSCs in the BM is reduced over time while spleen HSC pool is consistently increased in JAK2V617F knock-in mice. We hypothesize that JAK2V617F expression may cause aberrant HSC function, and JAK2V617F-expressing spleen HSCs may play an important role in the long-term maintenance of MPNs. JAK2 inhibitor therapy exhibits some benefits to the MPN patients but results in significant hematopoietic toxicities since JAK2 is critical for normal hematopoietic development. Identification of the targets of JAK2V617F in HSCs that are required for MPN but are not essential for normal hematopoietic development would facilitate the development of new targeted and safer therapies for MPNs. In preliminary studies, using microarray gene expression profiling, we have identified several targets of JAK2V617F in HSCs. Therefore, Aim 1 will determine the effects of JAK2V617F on BM and spleen HSCs, and identify the downstream targets of JAK2V617F in HSCs that are required for MPN. Although JAK2V617F is the most common mutation found in MF, the mechanisms of MF induced by JAK2V617F remains unknown. We have found that Shp2 is constitutively phosphorylated in JAK2V617F- positive MPN/leukemia patient derived cell lines and in the BM of JAK2V617F knock-in mice. In preliminary studies, we have found that deletion of Shp2 inhibits PV and prevents the development of MF in JAK2V617F mice. We hypothesize that Shp2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PV and MF induced by JAK2V617F. Therefore, Aim 2 will define the role of Shp2 in PV and MF induced by JAK2V617F. Inactivating EZH2 mutations have been found in patients with MF. Moreover, a significant proportion of EZH2 mutated MF patients harbor the JAK2V617F mutation. We hypothesize that EZH2 deficiency may contribute to the phenotypic diversity in JAK2V617F-positive MPNs.
In Aim 3, we will determine the contribution of EZH2 deficiency in JAK2V617F-evoked MPN. Collectively, these studies will provide important new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of MPNs and may identify new therapeutic targets for treatment of MPNs.

Public Health Relevance

The goal of this project is to better understand the molecular pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Our heterozygous and homozygous JAK2V617F knock-in mice will provide appropriate genetic tools to determine the role of JAK2V617F in MPN hematopoietic stem cells and define the mechanisms of MPNs including myelofibrosis. The results from these studies should identify new therapeutic targets for treatment of MPNs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01HL095685-09
Application #
9566613
Study Section
Molecular and Cellular Hematology Study Section (MCH)
Program Officer
El Kassar, Nahed
Project Start
2009-04-19
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2017-12-21
Budget End
2018-06-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Virginia
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
065391526
City
Charlottesville
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22904
Dutta, Avik; Yan, Dongqing; Hutchison, Robert E et al. (2018) STAT3 mutations are not sufficient to induce large granular lymphocytic leukaemia in mice. Br J Haematol 180:911-915
Dutta, Avik; Hutchison, Robert E; Mohi, Golam (2017) Hmga2 promotes the development of myelofibrosis in Jak2V617F knockin mice by enhancing TGF-?1 and Cxcl12 pathways. Blood 130:920-932
Jobe, F; Patel, B; Kuzmanovic, T et al. (2017) Deletion of Ptpn1 induces myeloproliferative neoplasm. Leukemia 31:1229-1234
Yang, Yue; Akada, Hajime; Nath, Dipmoy et al. (2016) Loss of Ezh2 cooperates with Jak2V617F in the development of myelofibrosis in a mouse model of myeloproliferative neoplasm. Blood 127:3410-23
Yan, D; Jobe, F; Hutchison, R E et al. (2015) Deletion of Stat3 enhances myeloid cell expansion and increases the severity of myeloproliferative neoplasms in Jak2V617F knock-in mice. Leukemia 29:2050-61
Akada, Hajime; Akada, Saeko; Hutchison, Robert E et al. (2014) Critical role of Jak2 in the maintenance and function of adult hematopoietic stem cells. Stem Cells 32:1878-89
Akada, H; Akada, S; Hutchison, R E et al. (2014) Loss of wild-type Jak2 allele enhances myeloid cell expansion and accelerates myelofibrosis in Jak2V617F knock-in mice. Leukemia 28:1627-35
Akada, Hajime; Akada, Saeko; Gajra, Ajeet et al. (2012) Efficacy of vorinostat in a murine model of polycythemia vera. Blood 119:3779-89
Yan, Dongqing; Hutchison, Robert E; Mohi, Golam (2012) Critical requirement for Stat5 in a mouse model of polycythemia vera. Blood 119:3539-49
Yan, Dongqing; Hutchison, Robert E; Mohi, Golam (2012) Tyrosine 201 is required for constitutive activation of JAK2V617F and efficient induction of myeloproliferative disease in mice. Blood 120:1888-98

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