Continuous cell supply from Krt7-expressing hematopoietic stem cells during native hematopoiesis revealed by targeted in vivo gene transfer method

Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 18:7:40684. doi: 10.1038/srep40684.

Abstract

The nature of hematopoietic stem cells under normal hematopoiesis remained largely unknown due to the limited assays available to monitor their behavior in situ. Here, we develop a new mouse model to transfer genes specifically into the primitive hematopoietic stem cell compartment through the utilization of a modified Rcas/TVA system. We succeeded in transferring a GFP reporter gene into adult hematopoietic stem cells in vivo, which are predominantly quiescent, by generating pseudotyped-lentivirus. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of this system to study neonatal hematopoiesis, a developmental stage that has been difficult to analyze to date. Using the system developed in this study, we observed continuous multi-lineage hematopoietic cell supply in peripheral blood from Krt7-positive hematopoietic stem cells during unperturbed homeostatic condition. This powerful experimental system could provide a new standard tool to analyze hematopoiesis under physiological condition without transplantation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Lineage / genetics
  • Gene Expression*
  • Gene Targeting
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Hematopoiesis / genetics*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Keratin-7 / genetics*
  • Lentivirus / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic

Substances

  • KRT7 protein, human
  • Keratin-7