Gene targeting studies have shown that the transcription factor SCL is critically important for embryonic hematopoiesis, but the early lethality of SCL null mice has precluded the genetic analysis of its function in the adult. We have now generated a conditional knockout of SCL by using Cre͞Lox technology and an IFN-inducible Cre transgenic mouse. Deletion of SCL in adult mice perturbed megakaryopoiesis and erythropoiesis with the loss of early progenitor cells in both lineages. This led to a blunted response to the hematopoietic stress induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, with a persistently low platelet count and hematocrit compared with controls. In contrast, progenitors of granulocyte and macrophage lineages were not affected, even in the setting of stress. Immature progenitor cells (day 12 colony-forming unit spleen) with multilineage capacity were still present in the SCL null bone marrow, but these progenitors had lost the capacity to generate erythroid and megakaryocyte cells, and colonies were composed of only myeloid cells. These results suggest that SCL is critical for megakaryopoiesis and erythropoiesis, but is dispensable for production of myeloid cells during adult hematopoiesis.

Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A), a known inhibitor of axonal sprouting, also alters vascular patterning. Here we show that Sema3A selectively interferes with VEGF-but not bFGF-induced angiogenesis in vivo. Consistent with this, Sema3A disrupted VEGFbut not bFGF-mediated endothelial cell signaling to FAK and Src, key mediators of integrin and growth factor signaling; however, signaling to ERK by either growth factor was unperturbed. Since VEGF is also a vascular permeability (VP) factor, we examined the role of Sema3A on VEGF-mediated VP in mice. Surprisingly, Sema3A not only stimulated VEGF-mediated VP but also potently induced VP in the absence of VEGF. Sema3A-mediated VP was inhibited either in adult mice expressing a conditional deletion of endothelial neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) or in wild-type mice systemically treated with a functionblocking Nrp-1 antibody. While both Sema3A-and VEGF-induced VP was Nrp-1 dependent, they use distinct downstream effectors since VEGF-but not Sema3A-induced VP required Src kinase signaling. These findings define a novel role for Sema3A both as a selective inhibitor of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis and a potent inducer of VP.

Tumor growth is dependent in part on "neoangiogenesis." Functional involvement of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells in this process has been demonstrated. However, it remains controversial as to whether tumor endothelium itself is BM derived. Here we sought to address this issue with an endothelial-specific, inducible transgenic model. We generated Cretransgenic mice (endothelial-SCL-Cre-ER T ) using the tamoxifen-inducible Cre-ER T recombinase driven by the 5 endothelial enhancer of the stem cell leukemia (SCL) locus. These mice were intercrossed with Cre reporter strains in which ␤-galactosidase (LacZ) or enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) are expressed upon Cre-mediated recombination. After tamoxifen administration, endothelial LacZ staining was observed in embryonic and adult tissues. Cre-mediated recombination was also observed in newly generated tumor endothelium. In adult BM cells we could only detect trace amounts of recombination by flow cytometry. Subsequently, BM from endothelial-SCL-Cre-ER T ;R26R mice was transplanted into irradiated recipients. When tumors were grown in recipient mice, which received tamoxifen, no tumor LacZ staining was detected. However, when tumors were grown in endothelial-SCL-Cre-ER T ;R26R mice 3 weeks after the cessation of tamoxifen treatment, there was widespread endothelial LacZ staining present. Thus, this genetic model strongly suggests that BM cells do not contribute to tumor endothelium and demonstrates the lineage relation between pre-existing endothelium and newly generated tumor endothelial cells. IntroductionThe formation of new blood vessels is required for the growth and dissemination of cancer. Endothelial cells (ECs) play a central role during this process. 1,2 Until recently, it was thought that the generation of new blood vessels in postnatal life was solely due to angiogenesis. This process is mediated by sprouting of ECs from pre-existing vasculature. 3,4 However, recent studies have suggested the process of postnatal vasculogenesis also plays a role. Vasculogenesis involves the differentiation of primitive endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), also known as angioblasts, into mature ECs. 5,6 Accumulating evidence suggests that bone marrow (BM) is the major source of EPCs in the adult, and administration of exogenous cytokines can induce mobilization of BM cells including EPCs. [7][8][9][10] Recently, controversy has arisen about the contribution of BMderived EPCs to tumor endothelium. 11 A number of studies have observed contribution of BM cells to tumor endothelium. 8,[12][13][14][15] In contrast, De Palma and colleagues 16 did not detect any BM-derived tumor ECs. Rather, they identified a population of cells that was recruited from BM to newly developing tumor vessels. This BM population expressed CD45 and macrophage antigen-1 (Mac-1) and appeared indispensable for tumor neoangiogenesis.In this study we created a new transgenic model, which allowed temporally controlled genetic marking of ECs to trace the origin of tumor endothelium. The basic helix...

Neutrophil granulocyte biology is a central issue of immunological research, but the lack of animal models that allow for neutrophil-selective genetic manipulation has delayed progress. By modulating the neutrophil-specific locus Ly6G with a knock-in allele expressing Cre recombinase and the fluorescent protein tdTomato, we generated a mouse model termed Catchup that exhibits strong neutrophil specificity. Transgene activity was found only in very few eosinophils and basophils and was undetectable in bone marrow precursors, including granulomonocytic progenitors (GMPs). Cre-mediated reporter-gene activation allowed for intravital two-photon microscopy of neutrophils without adoptive transfer. Homozygous animals were Ly6G deficient but showed normal leukocyte cellularity in all measured organs. Ly6G-deficient neutrophils were functionally normal in vitro and in multiple models of sterile or infectious inflammation in vivo. However, Cre-mediated deletion of FcγRIV in neutrophils reduced the cells' recruitment to immune-complex-mediated peritonitis, suggesting a cell-intrinsic role for activating Fc receptors in neutrophil trafficking.

BackgroundPatients with Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), such as polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), are at increased risk for thrombosis/thromboembolism and major bleeding. Due to the morbidity and mortality of these events, antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant agents are commonly employed as primary and/or secondary prophylaxis. On the other hand, disease-related bleeding complications (i.e., from esophageal varices) are common in patients with MPN. This analysis was performed to define the frequency of such events, identify risk factors, and assess antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy in a cohort of patients with MPN.MethodsThe MPN registry of the Study Alliance Leukemia is a non-interventional prospective study including adult patients with an MPN according to WHO criteria (2008). For statistical analysis, descriptive methods and tests for significant differences as well as contingency tables were used to identify the odds of potential risk factors for vascular events.ResultsMPN subgroups significantly differed in sex distribution, age at diagnosis, blood counts, LDH levels, JAK2V617F positivity, and spleen size (length). While most thromboembolic events occurred around the time of MPN diagnosis, one third of these events occurred after that date. Splanchnic vein thrombosis was most frequent in post-PV-MF and MPN-U patients. The chance of developing a thromboembolic event was significantly elevated if patients suffered from post-PV-MF (OR 3.43; 95 % CI = 1.39–8.48) and splenomegaly (OR 1.76; 95 % CI = 1.15–2.71). Significant odds for major bleeding were previous thromboembolic events (OR = 2.71; 95 % CI = 1.36–5.40), splenomegaly (OR = 2.22; 95 % CI 1.01–4.89), and the administration of heparin (OR = 5.64; 95 % CI = 1.84–17.34). Major bleeding episodes were significantly less frequent in ET patients compared to other MPN subgroups.ConclusionsTogether, this report on an unselected “real-world” cohort of German MPN patients reveals important data on the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of thromboembolic and major bleeding complications of MPN.

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Background The blood-brain barrier (BBB) formed by brain endothelial cells (ECs) interconnected by tight junctions (TJs) is essential for the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS). Although studies have shown the importance of various signaling molecules in BBB formation during development, little is known about the molecular basis regulating the integrity of the adult BBB. Methods and Results Using a mouse model with tamoxifen-inducible EC-restricted disruption of ctnnb1 (iCKO), here we show that endothelial β-catenin signaling is essential for maintaining BBB integrity and CNS homeostasis in adult. The iCKO mice developed severe seizures accompanied by neuronal injury, multiple brain petechial hemorrhages, and CNS inflammation, and all died postictal. Disruption of endothelial β-catenin induced BBB breakdown and downregulation of specific TJ proteins Claudin-1 and -3 in adult brain ECs. The clinical relevance of the data is indicated by the observation of decreased expression of Claudin-1 and nuclear β-catenin in brain ECs of hemorrhagic lesions of hemorrhagic stroke patients. Conclusion These results demonstrate the prerequisite role of endothelial β-catenin in maintaining the integrity of adult BBB. The results suggest that BBB dysfunction secondary to defective β-catenin transcription activity is a key pathogenic factor in hemorrhagic stroke, seizure activity and CNS inflammation.

In a previously developed inducible transgenic mouse model of chronic myeloid leukemia, we now demonstrate that the disease is transplantable using BCR-