Gata2 haploinsufficiency promotes proliferation and functional decline of hematopoietic stem cells with myeloid bias during aging

Blood Adv. 2021 Oct 26;5(20):4285-4290. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004726.

Abstract

During aging, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function wanes with important biological and clinical implications for benign and malignant hematology, and other comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating HSC aging remain incompletely defined. GATA2 haploinsufficiency driven clinical syndromes initially result in primary immunodeficiencies and routinely evolve into hematologic malignancies on acquisition of further epigenetic mutations in both young and older patients. Using a conditional mouse model of Gata2 haploinsufficiency, we discover that during aging Gata2 promotes HSC proliferation, monocytosis, and loss of the common lymphoid progenitor. Aging of Gata2 haploinsufficient mice also offsets enhanced HSC apoptosis and decreased granulocyte-macrophage progenitor number normally observed in young Gata2 haploinsufficient mice. Transplantation of elderly Gata2 haploinsufficient HSCs impairs HSC function with evidence of myeloid bias. Our data demonstrate that Gata2 regulates HSC aging and suggest the mechanisms by which Gata2 mediated HSC aging has an impact on the evolution of malignancies in GATA2 haploinsufficiency syndromes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / genetics
  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • GATA2 Deficiency*
  • GATA2 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Hematopoiesis
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice

Substances

  • GATA2 Transcription Factor
  • GATA2 protein, human
  • Gata2 protein, mouse