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Biology subjects

Gerson, S. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Gerson, S. L..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

15-PGDH as a Negative Regulator of Age-Related Organ Fitness

Emerging evidence implicates the eicosanoid molecule prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in conferring a regenerative phenotype to multiple organ systems following tissue injury. As aging is in part characterized by loss of tissue stem cells regenerative capacity, we tested the hypothesis that the prostaglandin-degrading enzyme 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) contributes to the diminished organ fitness of aged mice. Here we demonstrate that genetic loss of 15-PGDH (Hpgd) confers a protective effect on aging of murine hematopoietic and gastrointestinal (GI) tissues. Aged mice lacking 15-PGDH display increased hematopoietic output as assessed by peripheral blood cell counts, bone marrow and splenic stem cell compartments, and accelerated post-transplantation recovery compared to their WT counterparts. Loss of Hpgd expression also resulted in enhanced GI fitness and reduced local inflammation in response to colitis. Together these results suggest that 15-PGDH negatively regulates aged tissue regeneration, and that 15-PGDH inhibition may be a viable therapeutic strategy to ameliorate age-associated loss of organ fitness. ARTICLE SUMMARY15-PGDH as a Driver of Age-Related Tissue Dysfunction

pathology

15-PGDH Inhibition Activates the Splenic Niche to Promote Hematopoietic Regeneration

The splenic microenvironment regulates hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) function, particularly during demand-adapted hematopoiesis, however practical strategies to enhance splenic support of transplanted HSPCs have proven elusive. We have previously demonstrated that inhibiting 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), using the small molecule (+)SW033291 (PGDHi), increases bone marrow (BM) prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels, expands HSPC numbers, and accelerates hematologic reconstitution following BM transplantation (BMT) in mice. Here we demonstrate that the splenic microenvironment, specifically 15-PGDH high-expressing macrophages (M{Phi}s), megakaryocytes (MKs), and mast cells (MCs), regulates steady-state hematopoiesis and potentiates recovery after BMT. Notably, PGDHi-induced neutrophil, platelet, and HSPC recovery were highly attenuated in splenectomized mice. PGDHi induced non-pathologic splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis at steady-state, and pre-transplant PGDHi enhanced the homing of transplanted cells to the spleen. 15-PGDH enzymatic activity localized specifically to M{Phi}s, MK lineage cells, and MCs, identifying these cell types as likely coordinating the impact of PGDHi on splenic HSPCs. These findings suggest that 15-PGDH expression marks novel HSC niche cell types that regulate hematopoietic regeneration. Therefore, PGDHi provides a well-tolerated strategy to therapeutically target multiple HSC niches and to promote hematopoietic regeneration and improve clinical outcomes of BMT.

cell biology

Inhibition of 15-PGDH Protects Mice from Immune-mediated Bone Marrow Failure

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a human immune mediated bone-marrow failure syndrome that is treated by stem cell transplantation for patients who have a matched related donor or immunosuppressive therapy (IST) for those who do not. Responses to IST are variable, with patients still at risk for prolonged neutropenia, transfusion-dependence, immune suppression, and severe opportunistic infections. Therefore, additional therapies to accelerate hematologic recovery in patients receiving front line IST are needed. We have shown that inhibiting 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) with the small molecule SW033291 (PGDHi) increases bone marrow (BM) prostaglandin E2 levels, expands hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) numbers, and accelerates hematologic reconstitution following murine BM transplantation. We now report that in a murine model of immune-mediated BM failure, PGDHi therapy mitigated cytopenias, increased BM HSC and progenitor cells, and significantly extended survival compared to vehicle-treated mice. PGDHi protection was not immune-mediated, as serum IFN{gamma} levels and BM CD8+ T lymphocyte frequencies were not impacted. Moreover, dual administration of PGDHi plus low dose IST enhanced total white blood cell, neutrophil and platelet recovery, achieving responses similar to maximal dose IST at lesser toxicity. Together these data demonstrate that PGDHi can complement IST to accelerate hematologic recovery and reduce morbidity in severe AA.

immunology