The TEL/ETV6 gene is required specifically for hematopoiesis in the bone marrow

  1. Li Chun Wang1,6,
  2. Wojciech Swat3,
  3. Yuko Fujiwara1,5,
  4. Laurie Davidson2,
  5. Jane Visvader1,
  6. Frank Kuo3,
  7. Fred W. Alt2,5,
  8. D. Gary Gilliland4,5,
  9. Todd R. Golub1, and
  10. Stuart H. Orkin1,5,7
  1. Departments of 1Pediatrics, 2Genetics, 3Pathology, and 4Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and 5Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 USA

Abstract

The TEL (translocation–Ets–leukemia orETV6) locus, which encodes an Ets family transcription factor, is frequently rearranged in human leukemias of myeloid or lymphoid origins. By gene targeting in mice, we previously showed thatTEL −/− mice are embryonic lethal because of a yolk sac angiogenic defect. TEL also appears essential for the survival of selected neural and mesenchymal populations within the embryo proper. Here, we have generated mouse chimeras withTEL −/− ES cells to examine a possible requirement in adult hematopoiesis. Although not required for the intrinsic proliferation and/or differentiation of adult-type hematopoietic lineages in the yolk sac and fetal liver, TEL function is essential for the establishment of hematopoiesis of all lineages in the bone marrow. This defect is manifest within the first week of postnatal life. Our data pinpoint a critical role for TEL in the normal transition of hematopoietic activity from fetal liver to bone marrow. This might reflect an inability ofTEL −/− hematopoietic stem cells or progenitors to migrate or home to the bone marrow or, more likely, the failure of these cells to respond appropriately and/or survive within the bone marrow microenvironment. These data establish TEL as the first transcription factor required specifically for hematopoiesis within the bone marrow, as opposed to other sites of hematopoietic activity during development.

Keywords

Footnotes

  • 6 Present address: Biogen, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 USA.

  • 7 Corresponding author.

  • E-MAIL Orkin{at}rascal.med.harvard.edu; FAX (617) 355-7262.

    • Received April 23, 1998.
    • Accepted June 2, 1998.
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