15-PGDH inhibition enhances hematopoietic regeneration during aging

Hematopoietic aging is characterized by diminished stem cell regenerative capacity and an increased risk of hematologic dysfunction. We previously identified that the prostaglandin-degrading enzyme 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) regulates hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity. Here, we expand on this work and demonstrate that in aged mice: (1) 15-PGDH expression and activity remain conserved in the bone marrow (BM) and spleen, suggesting that it remains a viable therapeutic target in aging; (2) prolonged PGDH inhibition (PGDHi) significantly increases the frequency and number of phenotypic hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells across multiple compartments, with transcriptional changes indicative of enhanced function; (3) PGDHi-treated BM enhances short-term hematopoietic recovery following transplantation, leading to improved peripheral blood output and accelerated multilineage reconstitution; and (4) PGDHi confers a competitive advantage in primary hematopoietic transplantation while mitigating age-associated myeloid bias in secondary transplants. Notably, these effects occur without perturbing steady-state blood production, suggesting that PGDHi enhances hematopoiesis under regenerative conditions while maintaining homeostasis. Our work identifies PGDHi as a translatable intervention to rejuvenate aged HSCs and mitigate hematopoietic decline.