Cited by 161Acute Myeloid Leukemia ResearchHematopoietic Stem Cell TransplantationBlood disorders and treatments

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Aging drives Tet2 +/− clonal hematopoiesis via IL-1 signaling

Open access

Abstract

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), also referred to as aging-related clonal hematopoiesis, is defined as an asymptomatic clonal expansion of mutant mature hematopoietic cells in ≥4% of blood leukocytes. CHIP associates with advanced age and increased risk for hematological malignancy, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. Loss-of-function somatic mutations in TET2 are frequent drivers of CHIP. However, the contribution of aging-associated cooperating cell-extrinsic drivers, like inflammation, remains underexplored. Using bone marrow (BM) transplantation and newly developed genetic mosaicism (HSC-SCL-Cre-ERT; Tet2+/flox; R26+/tm6[CAG-ZsGreen1]Hze) mouse models of Tet2+/−driven CHIP, we observed an association between increased Tet2+/− clonal expansion and higher BM levels of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) upon aging. Administration of IL-1 to mice carrying CHIP led to an IL-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1)–dependent expansion of Tet2+/− hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and mature blood cells. This expansion was caused by increased Tet2+/− HSPC cell cycle progression, increased multilineage differentiation, and higher repopulation capacity compared with their wild-type counterparts. In agreement, IL-1α–treated Tet2+/− hematopoietic stem cells showed increased DNA replication and repair transcriptomic signatures and reduced susceptibility to IL-1α–mediated downregulation of self-renewal genes. More important, genetic deletion of IL-1R1 in Tet2+/− HPSCs or pharmacologic inhibition of IL-1 signaling impaired Tet2+/− clonal expansion, establishing the IL-1 pathway as a relevant and therapeutically targetable driver of Tet2+/− CHIP progression during aging.

Overview

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Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Aging promotes Tet2+/− clonal hematopoiesis in mice through increased bone marrow IL-1, which acts directly on Tet2+/− HSPCs via IL-1R1 to enhance proliferation, multilineage differentiation, and clonal dominance. Genetic or pharmacologic blockade of IL-1–IL-1R1 signaling reduces Tet2+/− clonal expansion during aging.

Key findings

  • In an inducible, transplantation-independent Tet2+/− mosaicism model, Tet2+/− clones expanded significantly more than WT clones during aging; the increase in monthly expansion rates became significant from 7 months onward, particularly at 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 months, and occurred across T cells, B cells, myeloid cells, erythrocytes, and multiple HSPC populations.
  • Aged Tet2+/− BM showed increased IL-1α/β and TNF-α gene expression, increased IL-1α protein, and a positive correlation between BM Tet2+/− clonal size and IL-1α concentration; Tet2+/− myeloid cells were the main IL-1α producers, especially after LPS exposure.
  • IL-1α exposure for 14 days in young mice significantly increased the Tet2+/− clonal fraction in PB and HSPCs, whereas Tet2+/−; Il1r1−/− cells showed no expansion; IL-1β had a similar but lower-magnitude effect. Genetic IL-1R1 ablation completely abrogated Tet2+/− expansion in transplantation chimeras, and anakinra reduced PB Tet2+/− clonal expansion but did not fully prevent HSPC clonal expansion.
  • RNA-seq of HSCs after IL-1α showed 318 DEGs unique to Tet2+/− HSCs, 221 unique to WT HSCs, and 515 shared; Tet2+/− HSCs were enriched for DNA replication, cell cycle progression, and DNA repair pathways, while 9 self-renewal genes (e.g., Mecom, Hmox1, Plag1) were downregulated exclusively in IL-1α–treated WT HSCs.

Methods

  • Used triple-transgenic mice (HSC-SCL-Cre-ERT; Tet2+/flox; R26+/tm6(CAG-ZsGreen1)Hze) and WT controls, with tamoxifen titration to generate about 10% or ≈2% ZsG+ clonal fractions; mice were aged up to 12 or 28 months, exposed to IL-1α/IL-1β, or treated with anakinra (37 μg/mouse every other day from 11 to 13 months).
  • Also used BM transplantation chimeras, including 90:10 and 50:50 competition settings, with WT, Tet2+/−, Il1r1−/−, and Tet2+/−; Il1r1−/− donor cells.
  • Main assays included flow cytometry for PB/BM lineages and HSPCs, cell cycle analysis, methylcellulose colony-forming/replating assays, bulk RNA-seq of HSCs, and statistics by Student t-test or 2-way ANOVA with Tukey correction in Prism v8.

Limitations

  • Stated: the exact molecular mechanisms by which Tet2+/− HSCs show differential differentiating and self-renewing proliferative responses to IL-1 remain to be elucidated; whether IL-1 dependency is exclusive to TET2-mutant AML remains to be determined; and whether additional age-associated mutations such as FLT3 synergize with Tet2 loss and IL-1R1 remains to be determined.
  • Stated: the anakinra regimen used did not fully prevent Tet2+/− HSPC clonal expansion, suggesting the dose and timing were insufficient to revert established clonal dominance; reversion may require combination therapy.
  • Evident from the text: the causal experiments are in murine models, with human relevance inferred from cited CHIP and canakinumab data rather than directly tested here; the inducible model also showed ZsG leakiness up to 2.5% at 10 months, and transplantation models had an early post-irradiation expansion phase not seen in the inducible model.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1182/blood.2022016835

Cites

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Statistics

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Figures

Graphical abstract Visual Abstract
Graphical abstract Visual AbstractCC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 1. Generation of an inducible hematopoietic genetic mosaicism mouse model of Tet2+/−-driven clonal hematopoiesis. (A) Schematic representation of tamoxifen (TAM)–inducible, dose-dependent, and hematopoietic-specific genetic mosaicism mouse model of Tet2+/−-driven clonal hematopoiesis. (B) Percentage of ZsG+ cells in indicated BM populations 4 weeks after exposure to 5 consecutive TAM injections at 100 mg/kg (n = 3): common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), common myeloid progenitors (CMPs), granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMPs), megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitors (MEPs), lineage– Sca-1+ c-Kit+ (LSK), long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs), multipotent progenitors 1 to 4 (MPP1-4), and nonhematopoietic cells. (C) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of ZsG+ in peripheral blood (PB) CD45+ cells after exposure to 5 consecutive TAM injections at 100 mg/kg (n = 3). (D) Percentage of ZsG+ in PB CD45+ cells 4 weeks after exposure to indicated TAM doses (n = 3) (top). Correlation between the percentage of PB ZsG+ CD45+ cells and the amount of TAM injected. Pearson correlation coefficient (r), P value, and linear equation are indicated (n = 29) (bottom). (E) Percentage of ZsG+ CD45+ cells in the absence of TAM injection (n = 7-8), in female or male adult mice (left); in 3-month-old (3 mo) or 10-month-old (10 mo) mice (right). (F) Representative dot plot of ZsG– wild type (WT; purple box) and ZsG+Tet2+/− (red box) (left). Quantification of Tet2 gene abundance in genomic DNA (gDNA) from ZsG– (WT) and ZsG+ (Tet2+/−) CD45+ cells (n = 4) (right). Quantification of Tet2 gene abundance in complementary DNA from ZsG– (WT) and ZsG+ (Tet2+/−) CD45+ cells (n = 4). ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01 by unpaired (E) and paired (F) t-test. Error bars represent standard error of the mean. GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Figure 1. Generation of an inducible hematopoietic genetic mosaicism mouse model of Tet2+/−-driven clonal hematopoiesis. (A) Schematic representation of tamoxifen (TAM)–inducible, dose-dependent, and hematopoietic-specific genetic mosaicism mouse model of Tet2+/−-driven clonal hematopoiesis. (B) Percentage of ZsG+ cells in indicated BM populations 4 weeks after exposure to 5 consecutive TAM injections at 100 mg/kg (n = 3): common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), common myeloid progenitors (CMPs), granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMPs), megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitors (MEPs), lineage– Sca-1+ c-Kit+ (LSK), long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs), multipotent progenitors 1 to 4 (MPP1-4), and nonhematopoietic cells. (C) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of ZsG+ in peripheral blood (PB) CD45+ cells after exposure to 5 consecutive TAM injections at 100 mg/kg (n = 3). (D) Percentage of ZsG+ in PB CD45+ cells 4 weeks after exposure to indicated TAM doses (n = 3) (top). Correlation between the percentage of PB ZsG+ CD45+ cells and the amount of TAM injected. Pearson correlation coefficient (r), P value, and linear equation are indicated (n = 29) (bottom). (E) Percentage of ZsG+ CD45+ cells in the absence of TAM injection (n = 7-8), in female or male adult mice (left); in 3-month-old (3 mo) or 10-month-old (10 mo) mice (right). (F) Representative dot plot of ZsG– wild type (WT; purple box) and ZsG+Tet2+/− (red box) (left). Quantification of Tet2 gene abundance in genomic DNA (gDNA) from ZsG– (WT) and ZsG+ (Tet2+/−) CD45+ cells (n = 4) (right). Quantification of Tet2 gene abundance in complementary DNA from ZsG– (WT) and ZsG+ (Tet2+/−) CD45+ cells (n = 4). ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01 by unpaired (E) and paired (F) t-test. Error bars represent standard error of the mean. GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 2. Hematopoietic Tet2+/− clonal expansion rate increases in aged mice and associates with increased IL-1 BM levels. (A) Experimental design. (B) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of PB CD45+ WT ZsG+ (n = 6; purple line) and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ (n = 7; red line) cells over 1 year after TAM induction. (C) Representative fluorescence-activated cell sorting plot of ZsG expression on PB CD45+ cells in 12-month-old WT and Tet2+/− mice. (D) Percentage of WT (n = 6) or Tet2+/− (n = 7) ZsG+ cells in PB T cells, B cells, myeloid cells, erythrocytes, and platelets. (E) Percentage of WT ZsG+ (n = 6) and Tet2+/− ZsG+ (n = 7) on indicated BM populations. (F) Monthly expansion rates of PB CD45+ WT ZsG+ (n = 6) and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ (n = 7) populations at indicated time intervals. (G) Gene expression levels of indicated genes in WT ZsG+ (n = 3) and Tet2+/− ZsG+ (n = 3) in total BM white blood cells, 1 year after TAM induction. (H) IL-1α and IL-1β protein levels in BM lysates of WT (n = 6) or Tet2+/− (n = 7) mice, 1 year after TAM induction. (I) Correlation between BM IL-1α/IL-1β levels and the percentage of BM Tet2+/− ZsG+ cells (n = 11). Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and P values are indicated. Dark red dots indicate mice from Figure 1B; light red dots indicate additional mice with low Tet2+/− ZsG+ fractions. (J) Experimental design. (K) Fraction of T cells, B cells, or myeloid cells in WT (ZsG–; n = 3) or Tet2+/− (ZsG+; n = 3) BM CD45+ cells. L. IL-1α (left) and IL-1β (right) protein levels in the conditioned media (CM) of sorted WT and Tet2+/− T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells without or with LPS exposure (n = 3). Data are a pool of at least 2 independent experiments for all graphs, except J through L. ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by unpaired t-test (B, E–H, and K) or by 1-way analysis of variance with Tukey correction (L). Error bars represent standard error of the mean. GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; ns, not significant.
Figure 2. Hematopoietic Tet2+/− clonal expansion rate increases in aged mice and associates with increased IL-1 BM levels. (A) Experimental design. (B) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of PB CD45+ WT ZsG+ (n = 6; purple line) and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ (n = 7; red line) cells over 1 year after TAM induction. (C) Representative fluorescence-activated cell sorting plot of ZsG expression on PB CD45+ cells in 12-month-old WT and Tet2+/− mice. (D) Percentage of WT (n = 6) or Tet2+/− (n = 7) ZsG+ cells in PB T cells, B cells, myeloid cells, erythrocytes, and platelets. (E) Percentage of WT ZsG+ (n = 6) and Tet2+/− ZsG+ (n = 7) on indicated BM populations. (F) Monthly expansion rates of PB CD45+ WT ZsG+ (n = 6) and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ (n = 7) populations at indicated time intervals. (G) Gene expression levels of indicated genes in WT ZsG+ (n = 3) and Tet2+/− ZsG+ (n = 3) in total BM white blood cells, 1 year after TAM induction. (H) IL-1α and IL-1β protein levels in BM lysates of WT (n = 6) or Tet2+/− (n = 7) mice, 1 year after TAM induction. (I) Correlation between BM IL-1α/IL-1β levels and the percentage of BM Tet2+/− ZsG+ cells (n = 11). Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and P values are indicated. Dark red dots indicate mice from Figure 1B; light red dots indicate additional mice with low Tet2+/− ZsG+ fractions. (J) Experimental design. (K) Fraction of T cells, B cells, or myeloid cells in WT (ZsG–; n = 3) or Tet2+/− (ZsG+; n = 3) BM CD45+ cells. L. IL-1α (left) and IL-1β (right) protein levels in the conditioned media (CM) of sorted WT and Tet2+/− T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells without or with LPS exposure (n = 3). Data are a pool of at least 2 independent experiments for all graphs, except J through L. ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by unpaired t-test (B, E–H, and K) or by 1-way analysis of variance with Tukey correction (L). Error bars represent standard error of the mean. GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; ns, not significant.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 3. IL-1α–IL-1R1 axis directly drives Tet2+/− clonal expansion via increased multilineage differentiation. (A) Experimental design. (B) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of CD45+ WT ZsG+ and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ in PB of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 2-5). (C) Longitudinal assessment of the percentage of WT or Tet2+/− ZsG+ cells in PB T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-6). Blue boxes on x-axis indicate IL-1α exposure period. (D) Terminal assessment of the percentage of WT or Tet2+/− ZsG+ cells in indicated BM populations of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-6). (E) Experimental design. (F) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of CD45.2+ WT and CD45.2+Tet2+/− in PB of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). Blue boxes on x-axis indicate IL-1α exposure period. (G) Percentage of WT or Tet2+/− CD45.2+ cells in PB T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). (H) Percentage of WT or Tet2+/− CD45.2+ cells in indicated BM populations of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). (I) Experimental design. (J) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of CD45.2+ WT; Ilr1–/– and CD45.2+Tet2+/−; Ilr1–/– cells in PB of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). Blue boxes on x-axis indicate IL-1α exposure period. (K) Percentage of CD45.2+ WT; Ilr1–/– and CD45.2+Tet2+/−; Ilr1–/– cells in PB T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). (L) Percentage of CD45.2+ WT; Ilr1–/– and CD45.2+Tet2+/−; Ilr1–/– cells in indicated BM populations of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by unpaired t-test (between PBS and IL-1α conditions, within the same genotype for C, D, G, H, K, and L) or by a 1-way analysis of variance with Tukey correction (for last time point in B, F, and J). Error bars represent standard error of the mean. WBM, whole bone marrow.
Figure 3. IL-1α–IL-1R1 axis directly drives Tet2+/− clonal expansion via increased multilineage differentiation. (A) Experimental design. (B) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of CD45+ WT ZsG+ and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ in PB of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 2-5). (C) Longitudinal assessment of the percentage of WT or Tet2+/− ZsG+ cells in PB T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-6). Blue boxes on x-axis indicate IL-1α exposure period. (D) Terminal assessment of the percentage of WT or Tet2+/− ZsG+ cells in indicated BM populations of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-6). (E) Experimental design. (F) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of CD45.2+ WT and CD45.2+Tet2+/− in PB of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). Blue boxes on x-axis indicate IL-1α exposure period. (G) Percentage of WT or Tet2+/− CD45.2+ cells in PB T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). (H) Percentage of WT or Tet2+/− CD45.2+ cells in indicated BM populations of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). (I) Experimental design. (J) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of CD45.2+ WT; Ilr1–/– and CD45.2+Tet2+/−; Ilr1–/– cells in PB of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). Blue boxes on x-axis indicate IL-1α exposure period. (K) Percentage of CD45.2+ WT; Ilr1–/– and CD45.2+Tet2+/−; Ilr1–/– cells in PB T cells, B cells, and myeloid cells of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). (L) Percentage of CD45.2+ WT; Ilr1–/– and CD45.2+Tet2+/−; Ilr1–/– cells in indicated BM populations of mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 5-6). ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by unpaired t-test (between PBS and IL-1α conditions, within the same genotype for C, D, G, H, K, and L) or by a 1-way analysis of variance with Tukey correction (for last time point in B, F, and J). Error bars represent standard error of the mean. WBM, whole bone marrow.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 4. Tet2+/− HSPCs maintain higher proliferative and repopulation capacity than WT in response to long-term IL-1α. (A) Experimental design. (B) Number of total white blood cells in BM (2 femurs and 2 tibias) of WT and Tet2+/− mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-5). (C) Percentage of indicated BM populations in WT and Tet2+/− mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-5). (D) Representative fluorescence-activated cell sorting plot of cell cycle analysis of indicated populations; percentage per quadrant is indicated. Percentage of indicated BM populations in G0, G1, or S-G2-M phases of cell cycle from WT and Tet2+/− mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-5). Statistical analysis performed for G0 stage. (E) Experimental design. (F) Quantification of total colony numbers after plating (P)/replating (R) of WT and Tet2+/− LSK/total cells in methylcellulose after initial exposure to PBS or IL-1α (n = 3). (G) Experimental design. (H) Longitudinal quantification of percentage of donor-derived PB CD45.2+ WT and CD45.2+Tet2+/− from mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α in a 50:50 BM competition in vivo setting with untreated CD45.1 WT BM cells (n = 6-7). (I) Percentage of CD45.2+ cells in indicated PB and BM (J) populations from in WT and Tet2+/− mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 6-7). (J) Depicted in the graphs are the fold variation values between indicated means. Data are a pool of at least 2 independent experiments. ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by a 1-way analysis of variation with Tukey correction. Error bars represent standard error of the mean. ns, not significant; WBM, whole bone marrow.
Figure 4. Tet2+/− HSPCs maintain higher proliferative and repopulation capacity than WT in response to long-term IL-1α. (A) Experimental design. (B) Number of total white blood cells in BM (2 femurs and 2 tibias) of WT and Tet2+/− mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-5). (C) Percentage of indicated BM populations in WT and Tet2+/− mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-5). (D) Representative fluorescence-activated cell sorting plot of cell cycle analysis of indicated populations; percentage per quadrant is indicated. Percentage of indicated BM populations in G0, G1, or S-G2-M phases of cell cycle from WT and Tet2+/− mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 4-5). Statistical analysis performed for G0 stage. (E) Experimental design. (F) Quantification of total colony numbers after plating (P)/replating (R) of WT and Tet2+/− LSK/total cells in methylcellulose after initial exposure to PBS or IL-1α (n = 3). (G) Experimental design. (H) Longitudinal quantification of percentage of donor-derived PB CD45.2+ WT and CD45.2+Tet2+/− from mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α in a 50:50 BM competition in vivo setting with untreated CD45.1 WT BM cells (n = 6-7). (I) Percentage of CD45.2+ cells in indicated PB and BM (J) populations from in WT and Tet2+/− mice exposed to PBS or IL-1α (n = 6-7). (J) Depicted in the graphs are the fold variation values between indicated means. Data are a pool of at least 2 independent experiments. ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by a 1-way analysis of variation with Tukey correction. Error bars represent standard error of the mean. ns, not significant; WBM, whole bone marrow.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 5. IL-1α–exposed Tet2+/−HSCs upregulate proliferation and maintain self-renewal transcriptomic signatures. (A) Experimental design. (B) Principal component analysis (PCA) plot of WT HSCs treated with PBS (n = 5) or IL-1 (n = 4) and Tet2+/− HSCs treated with PBS (n = 3) or IL-1α (n = 3) based on regularized log gene-level counts. (C) Venn diagram depicting differentially expressed genes (DEGs; −1 > log2[fold change {FC}] > 1; false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05) in HSCs exposed to IL-1α or PBS, which are unique to WT, unique to Tet2+/−, or shared between the 2 groups. (D) Overrepresented GO BP terms (maximum of 10 terms) for upregulated DEGs, shared between WT and Tet2+/− HSCs exposed to IL-1α. GO BPs are displayed in ascending order, according to –logFDR value. (E) Upregulated shared DEGs (maximum of 20 genes) present in indicated overrepresented GO BPs. (F) Co-occurring transcription factors (TFs; maximum of 10) with shared UP DEGs. TFs are displayed in ascending order, according to –logFDR value. Boxplot Spi1 gene expression values (fragments per kilobase million [FPKMs]) in indicated groups (right). (G) Overrepresented GO BP terms (maximum of 10 terms) for upregulated DEGs unique to Tet2+/− HSCs exposed to IL-1α. GO BPs are displayed in ascending order, according to –logFDR value. (H) Upregulated DEGs (maximum of 20 genes) unique to Tet2+/− IL-1α group present in indicated overrepresented GO BPs. (I) Co-occurring TFs (maximum of 10) with upregulated DEGs unique to Tet2+/− IL-1α group. TFs are displayed in ascending order, according to –logFDR value. Boxplot of E2f1 gene expression values (FPKMs) in indicated groups (right). (J) Heat map showing expression of genes implicated in HSC self-renewal. Column Z-scores are normalized. All genes displayed are significantly downregulated between PBS and IL-1α conditions, independently of HSC genotype (first gene set); PBS and IL-1α condition in WT HSCs (second gene set); and PBS and IL-1α condition in Tet2+/− HSCs (third gene set). ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by a 1-way analysis of variance with Tukey correction. RNA-seq, RNA sequencing.
Figure 5. IL-1α–exposed Tet2+/−HSCs upregulate proliferation and maintain self-renewal transcriptomic signatures. (A) Experimental design. (B) Principal component analysis (PCA) plot of WT HSCs treated with PBS (n = 5) or IL-1 (n = 4) and Tet2+/− HSCs treated with PBS (n = 3) or IL-1α (n = 3) based on regularized log gene-level counts. (C) Venn diagram depicting differentially expressed genes (DEGs; −1 > log2[fold change {FC}] > 1; false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05) in HSCs exposed to IL-1α or PBS, which are unique to WT, unique to Tet2+/−, or shared between the 2 groups. (D) Overrepresented GO BP terms (maximum of 10 terms) for upregulated DEGs, shared between WT and Tet2+/− HSCs exposed to IL-1α. GO BPs are displayed in ascending order, according to –logFDR value. (E) Upregulated shared DEGs (maximum of 20 genes) present in indicated overrepresented GO BPs. (F) Co-occurring transcription factors (TFs; maximum of 10) with shared UP DEGs. TFs are displayed in ascending order, according to –logFDR value. Boxplot Spi1 gene expression values (fragments per kilobase million [FPKMs]) in indicated groups (right). (G) Overrepresented GO BP terms (maximum of 10 terms) for upregulated DEGs unique to Tet2+/− HSCs exposed to IL-1α. GO BPs are displayed in ascending order, according to –logFDR value. (H) Upregulated DEGs (maximum of 20 genes) unique to Tet2+/− IL-1α group present in indicated overrepresented GO BPs. (I) Co-occurring TFs (maximum of 10) with upregulated DEGs unique to Tet2+/− IL-1α group. TFs are displayed in ascending order, according to –logFDR value. Boxplot of E2f1 gene expression values (FPKMs) in indicated groups (right). (J) Heat map showing expression of genes implicated in HSC self-renewal. Column Z-scores are normalized. All genes displayed are significantly downregulated between PBS and IL-1α conditions, independently of HSC genotype (first gene set); PBS and IL-1α condition in WT HSCs (second gene set); and PBS and IL-1α condition in Tet2+/− HSCs (third gene set). ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by a 1-way analysis of variance with Tukey correction. RNA-seq, RNA sequencing.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 6. Genetic and pharmacologic blockage of IL-1–IL-1R1 signaling reduces Tet2+/−clonal expansion during aging. (A) Experimental design. (B) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of donor-derived peripheral blood (PB) CD45.2+ cells from indicated genotypes: WT; WT, WT; Ilr1–/–, Tet2+/−; WT and Tet2+/−; Ilr1–/–, over 9 months after transplantation (n = 4-6). (C) Fold variation (within 7- to 9-month period) in the percentage of donor-derived PB CD45.2+ cells from indicated genotypes. (D) Terminal assessment of the percentage of donor-derived BM populations from indicated genotypes. (E) Experimental design. (F) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of CD45+ WT ZsG+ and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ in PB of mice exposed to PBS or anakinra treatment (hIL1ra) (n = 3-5). (G) Fold variation (within 11-13 months) in the percentage of CD45+ WT ZsG+ and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ cells in PB of mice exposed to PBS or hIL1ra (n = 3-5). (H) Percentage of WT ZsG+ and Tet2+/− ZsG+ on indicated BM populations after PBS or anakinra treatment (n = 3-5). ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by unpaired t-test (within the same genotype; D and H) or by a 1-way analysis of variance with Tukey correction (last time point on B, C, F, and G). Error bars represent standard error of the mean. ns, not significant; WBM, whole bone marrow.
Figure 6. Genetic and pharmacologic blockage of IL-1–IL-1R1 signaling reduces Tet2+/−clonal expansion during aging. (A) Experimental design. (B) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of donor-derived peripheral blood (PB) CD45.2+ cells from indicated genotypes: WT; WT, WT; Ilr1–/–, Tet2+/−; WT and Tet2+/−; Ilr1–/–, over 9 months after transplantation (n = 4-6). (C) Fold variation (within 7- to 9-month period) in the percentage of donor-derived PB CD45.2+ cells from indicated genotypes. (D) Terminal assessment of the percentage of donor-derived BM populations from indicated genotypes. (E) Experimental design. (F) Longitudinal quantification of the percentage of CD45+ WT ZsG+ and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ in PB of mice exposed to PBS or anakinra treatment (hIL1ra) (n = 3-5). (G) Fold variation (within 11-13 months) in the percentage of CD45+ WT ZsG+ and CD45+Tet2+/− ZsG+ cells in PB of mice exposed to PBS or hIL1ra (n = 3-5). (H) Percentage of WT ZsG+ and Tet2+/− ZsG+ on indicated BM populations after PBS or anakinra treatment (n = 3-5). ∗P < .05, ∗∗P < .01, ∗∗∗P < .001, and ∗∗∗∗P < .0001 by unpaired t-test (within the same genotype; D and H) or by a 1-way analysis of variance with Tukey correction (last time point on B, C, F, and G). Error bars represent standard error of the mean. ns, not significant; WBM, whole bone marrow.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Figure 7. Model of IL-1–mediated inflammaging as a driver of Tet2+/−clonal hematopoiesis. Working model on positive feedback loop driving development of aberrant Tet2+/− hematopoiesis induced by inflammaging-derived IL-1. Increased IL-1 levels derived from aged Tet2+/− mature myeloid cells act directly on HSPCs favoring Tet2+/− HSPC expansion (circular arrows), repopulation capacity, and multilineage differentiation (linear arrows) over WT HSPCs. IL-1–mediated Tet2+/− clonal expansion can be modulated by the administration of IL-1R1 antagonist (anakinra). See Discussion for detailed explanation.
Figure 7. Model of IL-1–mediated inflammaging as a driver of Tet2+/−clonal hematopoiesis. Working model on positive feedback loop driving development of aberrant Tet2+/− hematopoiesis induced by inflammaging-derived IL-1. Increased IL-1 levels derived from aged Tet2+/− mature myeloid cells act directly on HSPCs favoring Tet2+/− HSPC expansion (circular arrows), repopulation capacity, and multilineage differentiation (linear arrows) over WT HSPCs. IL-1–mediated Tet2+/− clonal expansion can be modulated by the administration of IL-1R1 antagonist (anakinra). See Discussion for detailed explanation.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central

Verification

Claims the paper makes

58 Own result · 27 Own interpretation · 20 Partly supported · 7 Own method · 6 Supported · 4 Supported so far · 2 No basis given · 1 Mixed support · 1 Not supported · 1 No full text of the sources · accuracy not yet measured

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  • Probably not a substantial claim. 18
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 40
56 of 56
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The HSC-SCL-Cre-ERT; Tet2+/flox; R26+/tm6(CAG-ZsGreen1)Hze model's ZsG+ cells faithfully represent Tet2+/− HSPC-derived hematopoiesis throughout aging.

    “Altogether, these data validate the generation of an irradiation/transplantation-independent, TAM-dose–dependent inducible, and traceable genetic chimerism model to study Tet2+/− clonal hematopoiesis.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    BM IL-1 protein levels measured in lysates reflect bioactive IL-1 signaling in the BM niche.

    “In agreement with gene expression data, we detected increased IL-1α protein levels in Tet2+/− BM (Figure 2H)”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Findings in the mouse Tet2+/− clonal hematopoiesis model are relevant to human CHIP.

    “Understanding the drivers of clonal expansion in CHIP-carrying individuals during aging is key to devise potential therapeutic interventions for this population.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The 10% TAM-induced clonal hematopoietic fraction mimics the clonal fractions and behavior of human CHIP.

    “triple-transgenic mice carrying wild-type (WT group) or a heterozygous floxed Tet2 gene (Tet2+/− group) were induced with a single TAM injection to generate an about 10% clonal hematopoietic fraction and aged for 12 months (Figure 2A).”
4 of 4

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Metadata

Authors
Caiado, F., Kovtonyuk, L. V., Gonullu, N. G., Fullin, J., Boettcher, S., & Manz, M. G.
Affiliations
University of Zurich (CH)
Venue
Blood
Published
2023-02-23
Volume
141
Issue
8
Pages
886-903
ISSN
  • 0006-4971 (ISSN-L)
  • 1528-0020
OpenAlex
W4309088916
Cited by
161
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 47 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 23
FWCI
17.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Blood (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation
  • Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (310030_184747/1, 310030)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Blood disorders and treatments
Keywords
clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential, TET2, aging, IL-1 signaling, IL-1 receptor 1, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, clonal expansion, inflammation, DNA replication and repair, self-renewal, multilineage differentiation, hematological malignancy risk, bone marrow transplantation, genetic mosaicism
MeSH terms
Clonal Hematopoiesis, Aging, Animals, Cardiovascular Diseases, DNA-Binding Proteins, Hematopoiesis, Interleukin-1, Mutation, Dioxygenases, Mice

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