Impaired production of blood cells is associated with morbidity and mortality. The classical model for blood cell replenishment is changing with the unexpected realization that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) directly sense and respond to pathogens via toll-like receptors (TLRs). Following TLR stimulation, murine HSCs proliferate and preferentially undergo myeloid-specific differentiation. Direct sensing of TLR ligand is thought to enable HSCs to immediately replenish innate immune cells that are rapidly depleted during acute infection. In contrast to the potential benefits of short-term HSC activation, chronic TLR stimulation dramatically impairs long-term HSC function. We have recently shown that murine HSCs chronically exposed to low-dose TLR4 agonist in vivo lose lymphoid potential, become exhausted, and fail to self renew. These findings are important because TLRs can be activated by endogenous fatty acids that are elevated in obesity as well as by plasma LPS or bacteria 16S rDNA which are present in patients with chronic infections. Like murine HSCs, in vitro studies show that human HSCs become activated and exhibit myeloid bias following TLR stimulation. However, the impact of TLR stimulation to human HSC function in vivo has not been established. Also unknown is the mechanism(s) by which chronic TLR stimulation perturbs HSC function.
In Aim 1, we examine the impact of TLR4 stimulation to the self-renewal and multi-lineage reconstitution potential of human HSCs in vivo in a humanized mouse model.
In Aim 2, we examine the mechanisms underlying TLR4-driven HSC skewing. These studies will be the first to establish the consequences of chronic TLR stimulation to human HSC competence in a pre-clinical model, and to establish the mechanism(s) by which TLR stimulation impairs HSC function.
Mounting evidence shows that chronic stimulation of toll-like receptor 4 compromises hematopoietic stem cell function. Persistent stimulation of toll-like receptors occurs in patients with chronic infections, or obesity, likely contributing to morbidity and mortality. These mechanistic studies will lay the groundwork for pharmacological therapies aimed at reversing human stem cell impairment to restore full immune cell potential.
| Liu, Ailing; Wang, Yujuan; Ding, Ying et al. (2015) Cutting Edge: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion and Common Lymphoid Progenitor Depletion Require Hematopoietic-Derived, Cell-Autonomous TLR4 in a Model of Chronic Endotoxin. J Immunol 195:2524-8 |
| Borghesi, Lisa (2014) Hematopoiesis in steady-state versus stress: self-renewal, lineage fate choice, and the conversion of danger signals into cytokine signals in hematopoietic stem cells. J Immunol 193:2053-8 |
| Park, Kyung Soo; Bayles, Ian; Szlachta-McGinn, Alec et al. (2014) Transcription elongation factor ELL2 drives Ig secretory-specific mRNA production and the unfolded protein response. J Immunol 193:4663-74 |
