Immunity
Volume 21, Issue 6, December 2004, Pages 853-863
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Article
Enhancement of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Repopulating Capacity and Self-Renewal in the Absence of the Transcription Factor C/EBPα

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Abstract

The transcription factor C/EBPα is required for granulopoiesis and frequently disrupted in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we show disruption of C/EBPα blocks the transition from the common myeloid to the granulocyte/monocyte progenitor but is not required beyond this stage for terminal granulocyte maturation. C/EBPα-deficient hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have increased expression of Bmi-1 and enhanced competitive repopulating activity. Bone marrow in adult C/EBPα-deficient mice was filled with myeloblasts, similar to human AML, supporting the notion that disruption of C/EBPα cooperates with other events in the development of leukemia. Therefore, C/EBPα is not only essential for granulocyte development but, in addition, is a regulator of hematopoietic stem cell activity.

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4

These authors contributed equally to this work.

5

Present address: The Blood Center of SE Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53233.

6

Present address: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139.