Long-term, multilineage hematopoiesis occurs in the combined absence of beta-catenin and gamma-catenin

Blood. 2008 Jan 1;111(1):142-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2007-07-102558. Epub 2007 Sep 28.

Abstract

The canonical Wnt signaling pathway plays key roles in stem-cell maintenance, progenitor cell expansion, and lineage decisions. Transcriptional responses induced by Wnt depend on the association of either beta-catenin or gamma-catenin with lymphoid enhancer factor/T cell factor transcription factors. Here we show that hematopoiesis, including thymopoiesis, is normal in the combined absence of beta- and gamma-catenin. Double-deficient hematopoietic stem cells maintain long-term repopulation capacity and multilineage differentiation potential. Unexpectedly, 2 independent ex vivo reporter gene assays show that Wnt signal transmission is maintained in double-deficient hematopoietic stem cells, thymocytes, or peripheral T cells. In contrast, Wnt signaling is strongly reduced in thymocytes lacking TCF-1 or in nonhematopoietic cells devoid of beta-catenin. These data provide the first evidence that hematopoietic cells can transduce canonical Wnt signals in the combined absence of beta- and gamma-catenin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Cell Lineage / physiology*
  • Hematopoiesis / physiology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Hybridomas
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Spleen / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Thymus Gland / cytology*
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / genetics*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism
  • gamma Catenin / genetics*
  • gamma Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, mouse
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • gamma Catenin