Dickkopf-1 promotes hematopoietic regeneration via direct and niche-mediated mechanisms

Nat Med. 2017 Jan;23(1):91-99. doi: 10.1038/nm.4251. Epub 2016 Dec 5.

Abstract

The role of osteolineage cells in regulating hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) regeneration following myelosuppression is not well understood. Here we show that deletion of the pro-apoptotic genes Bak and Bax in osterix (Osx, also known as Sp7 transcription factor 7)-expressing cells in mice promotes HSC regeneration and hematopoietic radioprotection following total body irradiation. These mice showed increased bone marrow (BM) levels of the protein dickkopf-1 (Dkk1), which was produced in Osx-expressing BM cells. Treatment of irradiated HSCs with Dkk1 in vitro increased the recovery of both long-term repopulating HSCs and progenitor cells, and systemic administration of Dkk1 to irradiated mice increased hematopoietic recovery and improved survival. Conversely, inducible deletion of one allele of Dkk1 in Osx-expressing cells in adult mice inhibited the recovery of BM stem and progenitor cells and of complete blood counts following irradiation. Dkk1 promoted hematopoietic regeneration via both direct effects on HSCs, in which treatment with Dkk1 decreased the levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and suppressed senescence, and indirect effects on BM endothelial cells, in which treatment with Dkk1 induced epidermal growth factor (EGF) secretion. Accordingly, blockade of the EGF receptor partially abrogated Dkk1-mediated hematopoietic recovery. These data identify Dkk1 as a regulator of hematopoietic regeneration and demonstrate paracrine cross-talk between BM osteolineage cells and endothelial cells in regulating hematopoietic reconstitution following injury.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism*
  • Cell Self Renewal*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / radiation effects
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism*
  • Radiation Injuries, Experimental
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Regeneration*
  • Sp7 Transcription Factor
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Whole-Body Irradiation*
  • bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein / genetics
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / genetics

Substances

  • Bak1 protein, mouse
  • Bax protein, mouse
  • Cytokines
  • Dkk1 protein, mouse
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Sp7 Transcription Factor
  • Sp7 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors