The HOXB4 homeoprotein differentially promotes ex vivo expansion of early human lymphoid progenitors

Stem Cells. 2008 Feb;26(2):312-22. doi: 10.1634/stemcells.2007-0721. Epub 2007 Oct 25.

Abstract

The HOXB4 homeoprotein is known to promote the expansion of mouse and human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitors of the myeloid lineages. However, the putative involvement of HOXB4 in lymphopoiesis and particularly in the expansion of early lymphoid progenitor cells has remained elusive. Based on the ability of the HOXB4 protein to passively enter hematopoietic cells, our group previously designed a long-term culture procedure of human HSCs that allows ex vivo expansion of these cells. Here, this method has been further used to investigate whether HOXB4 could cause similar expansion on cells originating from CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) committed at various levels toward the lymphoid lineages. We provide evidence that HOXB4 protein delivery promotes the expansion of primitive HPCs that generate lymphoid progenitors. Moreover, HOXB4 acts on lymphomyeloid HPCs and committed T/natural killer HPCs but not on primary B-cell progenitors. Our results clarify the effect of HOXB4 in the early stages of human lymphopoiesis, emphasizing the contribution of this homeoprotein in the maintenance of the intrinsic lymphomyeloid differentiation potential of defined HPC subsets. Finally, this study supports the potential use of HOXB4 protein for HSC and HPC expansion in a therapeutic setting and furthers our understanding of the mechanisms of the molecular regulation of hematopoiesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / pharmacology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Killer Cells, Natural / physiology
  • Lymphopoiesis / drug effects
  • Lymphopoiesis / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Phenotype
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / pharmacology
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • HOXB4 protein, human
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Transcription Factors