Distinct effects of V617F and exon12-mutated JAK2 expressions on erythropoiesis in a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based model

Sci Rep. 2021 Mar 4;11(1):5255. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-83895-6.

Abstract

Activating mutations affecting the JAK-STAT signal transduction is the genetic driver of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) which comprise polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and myelofibrosis. The JAK2p.V617F mutation can produce both erythrocytosis in PV and thrombocytosis in ET, while JAK2 exon 12 mutations cause only erythrocytosis. We hypothesized that these two mutations activated different intracellular signals. In this study, the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were used to model JAK2-mutated MPNs. Normal iPSCs underwent lentiviral transduction to overexpress JAK2p.V617F or JAK2p.N542_E543del (JAK2exon12) under a doxycycline-inducible system. The modified iPSCs were differentiated into erythroid cells. Compared with JAK2V617F-iPSCs, JAK2exon12-iPSCs yielded more total CD71+GlycophorinA+ erythroid cells, displayed more mature morphology and expressed more adult hemoglobin after doxycycline induction. Capillary Western immunoassay revealed significantly higher phospho-STAT1 but lower phospho-STAT3 and lower Phospho-AKT in JAK2exon12-iPSCs compared with those of JAK2V617F-iPSCs in response to erythropoietin. Furthermore, interferon alpha and arsenic trioxide were tested on these modified iPSCs to explore their potentials for MPN therapy. Both agents preferentially inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of the iPSCs expressing mutant JAK2 compared with those without doxycycline induction. In conclusion, the modified iPSC model can be used to investigate the mechanisms and search for new therapy of MPNs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Erythropoiesis / genetics
  • Exons
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders / genetics
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders / pathology
  • Polycythemia / genetics*
  • Polycythemia / pathology
  • Polycythemia Vera / genetics*
  • Polycythemia Vera / pathology
  • Primary Myelofibrosis
  • STAT Transcription Factors / genetics
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential / genetics
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential / pathology
  • Thrombocytosis / genetics
  • Thrombocytosis / pathology

Substances

  • STAT Transcription Factors
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • JAK2 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 2