TC1(C8orf4) regulates hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and hematopoiesis

Hematopoiesis is a complex process requiring multiple regulators for hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) and differentiation to multi-lineage blood cells. TC1(C8orf4) is implicated in cancers, hematological malignancies and inflammatory activation. Here, we report that Tc1 regulates hematopoiesis in mice. Myeloid and lymphoid cells are increased markedly in peripheral blood of Tc1-deleted mice compared to wild type controls. Red blood cells are small-sized but increased in number. The bone marrow of Tc1-/- mice is normocellular histologically. However, Lin-Sca-1+c-Kit+ (LSK) cells are expanded in Tc1-/- mice compared to wild type controls. The expanded population mostly consists of CD150-CD48+ cells, suggesting the expansion of lineage-restricted hematopoietic progenitor cells. Colony forming units (CFU) are increased in Tc1-/- mice bone marrow cells compared to controls. In wild type mice bone marrow, Tc1 is expressed in a limited population of HSPC but not in differentiated cells. Major myeloid transcriptional regulators such as Pu.1 and Cebpα are not up-regulated in Tc1-/- mice bone marrow. Our findings indicate that TC1 is a novel hematopoietic regulator. The mechanisms of TC1-dependent HSPC regulation and lineage determination are unknown.