Transcriptome profiling and sequencing of differentiated human hematopoietic stem cells reveal lineage-specific expression and alternative splicing of genes

Physiol Genomics. 2011 Oct 20;43(20):1117-34. doi: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00099.2011. Epub 2011 Aug 9.

Abstract

Hematopoietic differentiation is strictly regulated by complex network of transcription factors that are controlled by ligands binding to cell surface receptors. Disruptions of the intricate sequences of transcriptional activation and suppression of multiple genes cause hematological diseases, such as leukemias, myelodysplastic syndromes, or myeloproliferative syndromes. From a clinical standpoint, deciphering the pattern of gene expression during hematopoiesis may help unravel disease-specific mechanisms in hematopoietic malignancies. Herein, we describe a human in vitro hematopoietic model system where lineage-specific differentiation of CD34(+) cells was accomplished using specific cytokines. Microarray and RNAseq-based whole transcriptome and exome analysis was performed on the differentiated erythropoietic, granulopoietic, and megakaryopoietic cells to delineate changes in expression of whole transcripts and exons. Analysis on the Human 1.0 ST exon arrays indicated differential expression of 172 genes (P < 0.0000001) and significant alternate splicing of 86 genes during differentiation. Pathway analysis identified these genes to be involved in Rac/RhoA signaling, Wnt/B-catenin signaling and alanine/aspartate metabolism. Comparison of the microarray data to next generation RNAseq analysis during erythroid differentiation demonstrated a high degree of correlation in gene (R = 0.72) and exon (R = 0.62) expression. Our data provide a molecular portrait of events that regulate differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Knowledge of molecular processes by which the cells acquire their cell-specific fate would be beneficial in developing cell-based therapies for human diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics*
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Lineage / genetics*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Erythroid Cells / cytology
  • Erythroid Cells / metabolism
  • Exons / genetics
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / genetics
  • Hematopoiesis / genetics
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transcriptome / genetics*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • RNA, Messenger

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE29989