Tracing haematopoietic stem cell formation at single-cell resolution

Nature. 2016 May 26;533(7604):487-92. doi: 10.1038/nature17997. Epub 2016 May 18.

Abstract

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are derived early from embryonic precursors, such as haemogenic endothelial cells and pre-haematopoietic stem cells (pre-HSCs), the molecular identity of which still remains elusive. Here we use potent surface markers to capture the nascent pre-HSCs at high purity, as rigorously validated by single-cell-initiated serial transplantation. Then we apply single-cell RNA sequencing to analyse endothelial cells, CD45(-) and CD45(+) pre-HSCs in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region, and HSCs in fetal liver. Pre-HSCs show unique features in transcriptional machinery, arterial signature, metabolism state, signalling pathway, and transcription factor network. Functionally, activation of mechanistic targets of rapamycin (mTOR) is shown to be indispensable for the emergence of HSCs but not haematopoietic progenitors. Transcriptome data-based functional analysis reveals remarkable heterogeneity in cell-cycle status of pre-HSCs. Finally, the core molecular signature of pre-HSCs is identified. Collectively, our work paves the way for dissection of complex molecular mechanisms regulating stepwise generation of HSCs in vivo, informing future efforts to engineer HSCs for clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / cytology
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation* / genetics
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Tracking / methods*
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Protein C Receptor
  • Female
  • Fetus / cytology
  • Gonads / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / analysis
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / metabolism
  • Liver / cytology
  • Male
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2
  • Mesonephros / cytology
  • Mice
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Signal Transduction
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Endothelial Protein C Receptor
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Procr protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Transcription Factors
  • mTOR protein, mouse
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens