Repercussion of Megakaryocyte-Specific Gata1 Loss on Megakaryopoiesis and the Hematopoietic Precursor Compartment

PLoS One. 2016 May 6;11(5):e0154342. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154342. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

During hematopoiesis, transcriptional programs are essential for the commitment and differentiation of progenitors into the different blood lineages. GATA1 is a transcription factor expressed in several hematopoietic lineages and essential for proper erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. Megakaryocyte-specific genes, such as GP1BA, are known to be directly regulated by GATA1. Mutations in GATA1 can lead to dyserythropoietic anemia and pseudo gray-platelet syndrome. Selective loss of Gata1 expression in adult mice results in macrothrombocytopenia with platelet dysfunction, characterized by an excess of immature megakaryocytes. To specifically analyze the impact of Gata1 loss in mature committed megakaryocytes, we generated Gata1-Lox|Pf4-Cre mice (Gata1cKOMK). Consistent with previous findings, Gata1cKOMK mice are macrothrombocytopenic with platelet dysfunction. Supporting this notion we demonstrate that Gata1 regulates directly the transcription of Syk, a tyrosine kinase that functions downstream of Clec2 and GPVI receptors in megakaryocytes and platelets. Furthermore, we show that Gata1cKOMK mice display an additional aberrant megakaryocyte differentiation stage. Interestingly, these mice present a misbalance of the multipotent progenitor compartment and the erythroid lineage, which translates into compensatory stress erythropoiesis and splenomegaly. Despite the severe thrombocytopenia, Gata1cKOMK mice display a mild reduction of TPO plasma levels, and Gata1cKOMK megakaryocytes show a mild increase in Pf4 mRNA levels; such a misbalance might be behind the general hematopoietic defects observed, affecting locally normal TPO and Pf4 levels at hematopoietic stem cell niches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Compartmentation*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • GATA1 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • Megakaryocytes / cytology*
  • Megakaryocytes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • GATA1 Transcription Factor

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the Center for Translational Molecular Medicine (CTMM, www.ctmm.nl), project Innovative Coagulation Diagnostics (INCOAG, grant 01C-201), the Dutch Heart Foundation, a Ramón y Cajal Fellowship (RYC-2013-12587; LG; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad -Spain-), and an I+D Excelencia 2014 project grant (SAF2014-55231-P; LG and PP; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad -Spain- and Fondos Feder). This project was supported by the János Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (to TN). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.