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Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Factors Make a Mark on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development

  • Stem Cell Switches and Regulators (KK Hirschi, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

Blood specification is a highly dynamic process, whereby committed hemogenic endothelial cells (ECs) progressively transdifferentiate into multipotent, self-renewing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Massive changes in gene expression must occur to switch cell identity; however, the factors that mediate such an effect were a mystery until recently. This review summarizes the higher-order mechanisms involved in endothelial to hematopoietic reprogramming identified thus far.

Recent Findings

Accumulating evidence from mouse and zebrafish studies reveal that numerous chromatin-modifying (epigenetic) and RNA-modifying (epitranscriptomic) factors are required for the formation of HSCs from hemogenic endothelium. These genes function throughout the endothelial-hematopoietic transition, suggesting a dynamic interplay between “epi”-machineries.

Summary

Epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation are key mechanisms for reshaping global EC gene expression patterns to those that support HSC production. Future studies that capture modification dynamics should bring us closer to a complete understanding of how HSCs transition from hemogenic endothelium at the molecular level.

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Acknowledgments

We apologize to those whose original work could not be cited due to space limitations. D.M.K. is supported by NHLBI F32HL132475 and NIDDK U54DK106857.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George St., Room 773K, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA

    Dionna M. Kasper & Stefania Nicoli

  2. Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA

    Stefania Nicoli

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA

    Stefania Nicoli

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Kasper, D.M., Nicoli, S. Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Factors Make a Mark on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development. Curr Stem Cell Rep 4, 22–32 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-018-0113-0

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