GFI1B and LSD1 repress myeloid traits during megakaryocyte differentiation

The transcription factor Growth Factor Independence 1B (GFI1B) recruits Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 A (LSD1/KDM1A) to stimulate gene programs relevant for megakaryocyte and platelet biology. Inherited pathogenic GFI1B variants result in thrombocytopenia and bleeding propensities with varying intensity. Whether these affect similar gene programs is unknow. Here we studied transcriptomic effects of four patient-derived GFI1B variants (GFI1B^T174N,^H181Y,^R184P,^Q287*) in MEG01 megakaryoblasts. Compared to normal GFI1B, each variant affected different gene programs with GFI1B^Q287* uniquely failing to repress myeloid traits. In line with this, single cell RNA-sequencing of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived megakaryocytes revealed a 4.5-fold decrease in the megakaryocyte/myeloid cell ratio in GFI1B^Q287* versus normal conditions. Inhibiting the GFI1B-LSD1 interaction with small molecule GSK-LSD1 resulted in activation of myeloid genes in normal iPSC-derived megakaryocytes similar to what was observed for GFI1B^Q287* iPSC-derived megakaryocytes. Thus, GFI1B and LSD1 facilitate gene programs relevant for megakaryopoiesis while simultaneously repressing programs that induce myeloid differentiation.