Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is genetically characterized by the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome, formed through a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 and giving rise to the constitutively active tyrosine kinase P210 BCR/ABL1. Therapeutic strategies aiming for a cure of CML will require full eradication of Ph chromosome-positive (Ph⁺) CML stem cells. Here we used gene-expression profiling to identify IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) as up-regulated in CML CD34⁺cells and also in cord blood CD34⁺cells as a consequence of retroviralBCR/ABL1expression. To test whether IL1RAP expression distinguishes normal (Ph⁻) and leukemic (Ph⁺) cells within the CML CD34⁺CD38⁻cell compartment, we established a unique protocol for conducting FISH on small numbers of sorted cells. By using this method, we sorted cells directly into drops on slides to investigate their Ph-chromosome status. Interestingly, we found that the CML CD34⁺CD38⁻IL1RAP⁺cells were Ph⁺, whereas CML CD34⁺CD38⁻IL1RAP⁻cells were almost exclusively Ph⁻. By performing long-term culture-initiating cell assays on the two cell populations, we found that Ph⁺and Ph⁻candidate CML stem cells could be prospectively separated. In addition, by generating an anti-IL1RAP antibody, we provide proof of concept that IL1RAP can be used as a target on CML CD34⁺CD38⁻cells to induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. This study thus identifies IL1RAP as a unique cell surface biomarker distinguishing Ph⁺from Ph⁻candidate CML stem cells and opens up a previously unexplored avenue for therapy of CML.

Development of B-lymphoid cells in the bone marrow is a process under strict control of a hierarchy of transcription factors. To understand the development of a B-lymphoid-restricted functional network of transcription factors, we have investigated the cell autonomous role of the transcription factor EBF1 in early B cell development. This revealed that even though transplanted EBF1-deficient fetal liver cells were able to generate common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) as well as B220⁺CD43⁺AA4.1⁺ candidate precursor B cells, none of these populations showed signs of B lineage priming. The isolated CLPs were able to generate T lymphocytes in vitro supporting the idea that the phenotype of EBF1-deficient mice is restricted to the development of the B lineage. Furthermore, EBF deficient CLPs displayed a reduction in Ig H chain recombination as compared with their wild-type counterpart and essentially lacked transcription of B-lineage-associated genes. Among the genes displaying reduced expression in the EBF1 deficient CLPs were the transcription factors Pax5, Pou2af1 (OcaB), and FoxO1 that all appear to be direct genetic targets for EBF1 because their promoters contained functional binding sites for this factor. This leads us to suggest that EBF1 regulates a transcription factor network crucial for B lineage commitment.

The cytokine Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FL) is an important regulator of hematopoiesis. Its receptor, Flt3, is expressed on myeloid, lymphoid and dendritic cell progenitors and is considered an important growth and differentiation factor for several hematopoietic lineages. Activating mutations of Flt3 are frequently found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and associated with a poor clinical prognosis. In the present review we provide an overview of our current knowledge on the role of FL in the generation of blood cell lineages. We examine recent studies on Flt3 expression by hematopoietic stem cells and its potential instructive action at early stages of hematopoiesis. In addition, we review current findings on the role of mutated FLT3 in leukemia and the development of FLT3 inhibitors for therapeutic use to treat AML. The importance of mouse models in elucidating the role of Flt3-ligand in normal and malignant hematopoiesis is discussed.

Transcription of germ-line immunoglobulin heavy chain genes conditions them to participate in isotype switch recombination. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) stimulates promoter elements located upstream of the IgA1 and IgA2 switch regions, designated Ialpha1 and Ialpha2, and contributes to the development of IgA responses. We demonstrate that intracellular Smad proteins mediate activation of the Ialpha1 promoter by TGF-beta. TGF-beta type 1 receptor (ALK-5), activin type IB receptor (ALK-4), and the "orphan" ALK-7 trans-activate the Ialpha1 promoter, thus raising the possibility that other members of the TGF-beta superfamily can also modulate IgA synthesis. Smads physically interact with the AML family of transcription factors and cooperate with them to activate the Ialpha1 promoter. The Ialpha1 element provides a canapé of interspersed high and low affinity sites for Smad and AML factors, some of which are indispensable for TGF-beta responsiveness. While AML.Smad complexes are formed in the cytoplasm of DG75 and K562 cells constitutively, only after TGF-beta receptor activation, novel Smad3.Smad4.AML complexes are detected in nuclear extracts by EMSA with Ialpha1 promoter-derived probes. Considering the wide range of biological phenomena that AMLs and Smads regulate, the physical/functional interplay between them has implications that extend beyond the regulation of class switching to IgA.

To investigate molecular events involved in the regulation of lymphoid lineage commitment, we crossed λ5 reporter transgenic mice to Rag1-GFP knockin mice. This allowed us to subfractionate common lymphoid progenitors and pre-pro-B (fraction A) cells into λ5−Rag1low, λ5−Rag1high, and λ5+Rag1high cells. Clonal in vitro differentiation analysis demonstrated that Rag1low cells gave rise to B/T and NK cells. Rag1high cells displayed reduced NK-cell potential with preserved capacity to generate B- and T-lineage cells, whereas the λ5+ cells were B-lineage restricted. Ebf1 and Pax5 expression was largely confined to the Rag1high populations. These cells also expressed a higher level of the surface protein LY6D, providing an additional tool for the analysis of early lymphoid development. These data suggest that the classic common lymphoid progenitor compartment composes a mixture of cells with relatively restricted lineage potentials, thus opening new possibilities to investigate early hematopoiesis.

Deficiencies in the IL-7 signaling pathway result in severe disruptions of lymphoid development in adult mice. To understand more about how IL-7 deficiency impacts early lymphoid development, we have investigated lineage restriction events within the common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) compartment in IL-7 knockout mice. This revealed that although IL-7 deficiency had a minor impact on the development of LY6D⁻ multipotent CLPs, the formation of the lineage restricted LY6D⁺ CLP population was dramatically reduced. This was reflected in a low-level transcription of B-lineage genes as well as in a loss of functional B-cell commitment. The few Ly6D⁺ CLPs developed in the absence of IL-7 displayed increased lineage plasticity and low expression of Ebf-1. Absence of Ebf-1 could be linked to increased plasticity because even though Ly6D⁺ cells develop in Ebf-1–deficient mice, these cells retain both natural killer and dendritic cell potential. This reveals that IL-7 is essential for normal development of Ly6D⁺ CLPs and that Ebf-1 is crucial for lineage restriction in early lymphoid progenitors.