Novel germline JAK2R715T mutation causing PV-like erythrocytosis in 3 generations. Amelioration by Ropeg-Interferon.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a clonal disorder arising from the acquired somatic mutations of the JAK2 gene, including JAK2V617F or several others in exon 12. A 38-year-old female had a stroke at age 32 and found to have elevated hemoglobin, normal leukocytes, normal platelets, and tested negative for JAK2V617F and exon 12 mutations. Next generation sequencing revealed a novel mutation: JAK2R715T in the pseudokinase domain (JH2) at 47.5%. Its presence in her nail DNA confirmed a germline origin. Her mother and her son similarly had erythrocytosis and a JAK2R715T mutation. Computer modeling indicated gain-of-function JAK2 activity. The propositus and her mother had polyclonal myelopoiesis, ruling out another somatic mutation-derived clonal hematopoiesis. Some erythroid progenitors of all three generations grew without erythropoietin, a hallmark of PV. The in vitro reporter assay confirmed increased activity of the JAK2R715T kinase. Similar to PV, the JAK2R715T native cells have increased STAT5 phosphorylation, augmented transcripts of prothrombotic and inflammatory genes, and decreased KLF2 transcripts. The propositus was not controlled by hydroxyurea, and JAK2 inhibitors were not tolerated; however, Ropeginterferon-alfa-2b (Ropeg-IFN-α) induced a remission. Ropeg-IFN-α treatment also reduced JAK2 activity in the propositus, her mother and JAK2V617F PV subjects. We report dominantly inherited erythrocytosis secondary to a novel germline JAK2R715T gain-of-function mutation with many but not all comparable molecular features to JAK2V617F PV. We also document a previously unreported inhibitory mechanism of JAK2 signaling by Ropeg-IFN-α.

Allogeneic stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma & myelofibrosis with split-dose busulfan, fludarabine & cyclophosphamide.

Allogeneic stem cell transplant can have high morbidity and mortality in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) and multiple myeloma (MM). This phase 2 study used a novel myeloablative regimen of split-dose busulfan, fludarabine, and then post-transplant cyclophosphamide. Four patients with MF and 2 with MM were enrolled. At 1 year, non-relapse mortality was 33.3%, and overall survival was 50%. Incidence of acute and chronic GVHD was 33.3% and 16.7%, respectively. Those surviving beyond 1 year (MF = 1, MM = 2) had durable remissions with a median follow-up of 42 months. This small study demonstrates relative safety & favorable key outcomes using this novel approach.

Gene expression changes in sickle cell reticulocytes and their clinical associations.

Transcriptional changes in compensatory erythropoiesis in sickle cell anemia (SCA) and their disease modulation are unclear. We detected 1226 differentially expressed genes in hemoglobin SS reticulocytes compared to non-anemic hemoglobin AA controls. Assessing developmental expression changes in hemoglobin AA erythroblasts for these genes suggests heightened terminal differentiation in early erythroblasts in SCA that diminishes toward the polychromatic to orthochromatic stage transition. Comparison of reticulocyte gene expression changes in SCA with that in Chuvash erythrocytosis, a non-anemic disorder of increased erythropoiesis due to constitutive activation of hypoxia inducible factors, identified 453 SCA-specific changes attributable to compensatory erythropoiesis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in SCA contain elevated proportions of erythroid progenitors due to heightened erythropoiesis. Deconvolution analysis in PBMCs from 131 SCA patients detected 54 genes whose erythroid expression correlated with erythropoiesis efficiency, which were enriched with SCA-specific changes (OR = 2.9, P = 0.00063) and annotation keyword "ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process", "protein ubiquitination", and "protein polyubiquitination" (OR = 4.2, P = 7.5 × 10-5). An erythroid expression quantitative trait locus of one of these genes, LNX2 encoding an E3 ubiquitin ligase, associated with severe pain episodes in 774 SCA patients (OR = 1.7, P = 3.9 × 10-5). Thus, erythroid gene transcription responds to unique conditions within SCA erythroblasts and these changes potentially correspond to vaso-occlusive manifestations.

Increased transferrin protects from thrombosis in Chuvash erythrocytosis.

Von Hippel-Lindau protein (VHL) is essential to hypoxic regulation of cellular processes. VHL promotes proteolytic clearance of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) that have been modified by oxygen-dependent HIF-prolyl hydroxylases. A homozygous loss-of-function VHLR200W mutation causes Chuvash erythrocytosis, a congenital disorder caused by augmented hypoxia-sensing. Homozygous VHLR200W results in accumulation of HIFs that increase transcription of the erythropoietin gene and raise hematocrit. Phlebotomies reduce hematocrit and hyperviscosity symptoms. However, the major cause of morbidity and mortality in Chuvash erythrocytosis is thrombosis. Phlebotomies cause iron deficiency, which may further elevate HIF activity and transferrin, the HIF-regulated plasma iron transporter recently implicated in thrombogenesis. We hypothesized that transferrin is elevated in Chuvash erythrocytosis, and that iron deficiency contributes to its elevation and to thrombosis. We studied 155 patients and 154 matched controls at steady state and followed them for development of thrombosis. Baseline transferrin was elevated, and ferritin reduced in patients. VHLR200W homozygosity and lower ferritin correlated with higher erythropoietin and transferrin. During 11 years of follow-up, risk of thrombosis increased 8.9-fold in patients versus controls. Erythropoietin elevation, but not hematocrit or ferritin, correlated with thrombosis risk. Unexpectedly, transferrin elevation associated with reduced rather than increased thrombosis risk. The A allele of the promoter EPO single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), rs1617640, associated with elevated erythropoietin and increased thrombosis risk, whereas the A allele of the intronic TF SNP, rs3811647, associated with higher transferrin and protection from thrombosis in patients. Our findings suggest an unexpected causal relationship between increased transferrin and protection from thrombosis in Chuvash erythrocytosis.

Increased blood reactive oxygen species and hepcidin in obstructive sleep apnea precludes expected erythrocytosis.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes intermittent hypoxia during sleep. Hypoxia predictably initiates an increase in the blood hemoglobin concentration (Hb); yet in our analysis of 527 patients with OSA, >98% did not have an elevated Hb. To understand why patients with OSA do not develop secondary erythrocytosis due to intermittent hypoxia, we first hypothesized that erythrocytosis occurs in these patients, but is masked by a concomitant increase in plasma volume. However, we excluded that explanation by finding that the red cell mass was normal (measured by radionuclide labeling of erythrocytes and carbon monoxide inhalation). We next studied 45 patients with OSA before and after applying continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). We found accelerated erythropoiesis in these patients (increased erythropoietin and reticulocytosis), but it was offset by neocytolysis (lysis of erythrocytes newly generated in hypoxia upon return to normoxia). Parameters of neocytolysis included increased reactive oxygen species from expanded reticulocytes' mitochondria. The antioxidant catalase was also downregulated in these cells from hypoxia-stimulated microRNA-21. In addition, inflammation-induced hepcidin limited iron availability for erythropoiesis. After CPAP, some of these intermediaries diminished but Hb did not change. We conclude that in OSA, the absence of significant increase in red cell mass is integral to the pathogenesis, and results from hemolysis via neocytolysis combined with inflammation-mediated suppression of erythropoiesis.

Biomarkers of erythropoiesis response to intravenous iron in a crossover pilot study in unexplained anemia of the elderly.

Anemia is common in older adults, but often unexplained. Previously, we conducted a randomized, controlled trial of intravenous (IV) iron sucrose to study its impact on the 6-minute walk test and hemoglobin in older adults with unexplained anemia and ferritin levels of 20-200 ng/mL. In this report, we present for the first time the response of hemoglobin, as well as the dynamic response of biomarkers of erythropoiesis and iron indices, in a pooled analysis of the initially IV iron-treated group of 9 subjects and the subsequently IV iron treated 10 subjects from the delayed treatment group. We hypothesized that there would be a reproducible hemoglobin response from IV iron, and that iron indices and erythropoietic markers would reflect appropriate iron loading and reduced erythropoietic stress. To investigate the biochemical response of anemia to IV iron, we studied the dynamics of soluble transferrin receptor (STfR), hepcidin, erythropoietin (EPO), and iron indices over 12 weeks after treatment. In total, all 19 treated subjects were evaluable: 9 from initial treatment and 10 after cross-over. Hemoglobin rose from 11.0 to 11.7 g/dL, 12 weeks after initiating IV iron treatment of 1000 mg divided weekly over 5 weeks. We found early changes of iron loading after 1-2 IV iron dose: serum iron increased by 184 mcg/dL from a baseline of 66 mcg/dL, ferritin by 184 ng/mL from 68 ng/mL, and hepcidin by 7.49 ng/mL from 19.2 ng/mL, while STfR and serum EPO declined by 0.55 mg/L and 3.5 mU/mL from 19.2 ng/mL and 14 mU/mL, respectively. The erythroid response and evidence of enhanced iron trafficking are consistent with the hypothesis that IV iron overcomes iron deficient or iron-restricted erythropoiesis. These data provide new insight that iron-restricted erythropoiesis is a potential and targetable mechanism for patients diagnosed with unexplained anemia of the elderly and offers support for larger prospective trials of IV iron among anemic older adults of low to normal ferritin.

The transcriptional and regulatory identity of erythropoietin producing cells.

Erythropoietin (Epo) is the master regulator of erythropoiesis and oxygen homeostasis. Despite its physiological importance, the molecular and genomic contexts of the cells responsible for renal Epo production remain unclear, limiting more-effective therapies for anemia. Here, we performed single-cell RNA and transposase-accessible chromatin (ATAC) sequencing of an Epo reporter mouse to molecularly identify Epo-producing cells under hypoxic conditions. Our data indicate that a distinct population of kidney stroma, which we term Norn cells, is the major source of endocrine Epo production in mice. We use these datasets to identify the markers, signaling pathways and transcriptional circuits characteristic of Norn cells. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and RNA in situ hybridization in human kidney tissues, we further provide evidence that this cell population is conserved in humans. These preliminary findings open new avenues to functionally dissect EPO gene regulation in health and disease and may serve as groundwork to improve erythropoiesis-stimulating therapies.

"What We Know and What We Do Not Know about Evolutionary Genetic Adaptation to High Altitude Hypoxia in Andean Aymaras".

Three well-studied populations living at high altitudes are Tibetans, Andeans (Aymaras and Quechuas), and Ethiopians. Unlike Tibetans and Ethiopians who have similar hemoglobin (Hb) levels as individuals living at sea level, Aymara Hb levels increase when living at higher altitudes. Our previous whole genome study of Aymara people revealed several selected genes that are involved in cardiovascular functions, but their relationship with Hb levels was not elucidated. Here, we studied the frequencies of known evolutionary-selected variants in Tibetan and Aymara populations and their correlation with high Hb levels in Aymara. We genotyped 177 Aymaras at three different altitudes: 400 m (Santa Cruz), 4000 m (La Paz), and 5000 m (Chorolque), and correlated the results with the elevation of residence. Some of the Tibetan-selected variants also exist in Aymaras, but at a lower prevalence. Two of 10 Tibetan selected variants of EPAS1 were found (rs13005507 and rs142764723) and these variants did not correlate with Hb levels. Allele frequencies of 5 Aymara selected SNPs (heterozygous and homozygous) at 4000 m (rs11578671_BRINP3, rs34913965_NOS2, rs12448902_SH2B1, rs10744822_TBX5, and rs487105_PYGM) were higher compared to Europeans. The allelic frequencies of rs11578671_BRINP3, rs34913965_NOS2, and rs10744822_SH2B1 were significantly higher for Aymaras living at 5000 m than those at 400 m elevation. Variant rs11578671, close to the BRINP3 coding region, correlated with Hb levels in females. Variant rs34913965 (NOS2) correlated with leukocyte counts. Variants rs12448902 (SH2B1) and rs34913965 (NOS2) associated with higher platelet levels. The correlation of these SNPs with blood cell counts demonstrates that the selected genetic variants in Aymara influence hematopoiesis and cardiovascular effects.

Downregulated KLF2 in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia induces prothrombotic gene expression.

Thromboses are major causes of morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) diseases associated with JAK2V617F mutation. However, the molecular mechanism(s) of increased thrombosis in PV and ET remain unknown. Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is a transcription factor that regulates expression of genes associated with inflammation and thrombosis; the absence of KLF2 in neutrophils causes thrombosis by inducing tissue factor. We studied the role of KLF2 in regulating prothrombotic gene expression in PV and ET. Neutrophils and platelets KLF2 expression in PV and ET was lower than the controls. Furthermore, in patients with thromboses, KLF2 transcripts were lower in platelets than those without thromboses. JAK2V617F allelic burden was inversely correlated with KLF2 transcript levels, suggesting JAK-STAT pathway may downregulate KLF2 expression. Whole transcriptome analyses of neutrophils and platelets showed that a lower KLF2 expression was associated with an upregulation of KLF2-regulated thrombotic genes. In addition, low KLF2 expression in platelets positively correlated with thrombotic events. In patients with PV and ET, KLF2 expression was induced by pegylated interferon alfa (PegINF-α) but not by hydroxyurea treatments. These data suggest that KLF2 may be a regulator of PV and ET thrombosis and a novel therapeutic target to prevent thrombosis.

Developmental changes in iron metabolism and erythropoiesis in mice with human gain-of-function erythropoietin receptor.

Iron availability for erythropoiesis is controlled by the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin. Increased erythropoiesis negatively regulates hepcidin synthesis by erythroferrone (ERFE), a hormone produced by erythroid precursors in response to erythropoietin (EPO). The mechanisms coordinating erythropoietic activity with iron homeostasis in erythrocytosis with low EPO are not well defined as exemplified by dominantly inherited (heterozygous) gain-of-function mutation of human EPO receptor (mtHEPOR) with low EPO characterized by postnatal erythrocytosis. We previously created a mouse model of this mtHEPOR that develops fetal erythrocytosis with a transient perinatal amelioration of erythrocytosis and its reappearance at 3-6 weeks of age. Prenatally and perinatally, mtHEPOR heterozygous and homozygous mice (differing in erythrocytosis severity) had increased Erfe transcripts, reduced hepcidin, and iron deficiency. Epo was transiently normal in the prenatal life; then decreased at postnatal day 7, and remained reduced in adulthood. Postnatally, hepcidin increased in mtHEPOR heterozygotes and homozygotes, accompanied by low Erfe induction and iron accumulation. With aging, the old, especially mtHEPOR homozygotes had a decline of erythropoiesis, myeloid expansion, and local bone marrow inflammatory stress. In addition, mtHEPOR erythrocytes had a reduced lifespan. This, together with reduced iron demand for erythropoiesis, due to its age-related attenuation, likely contributes to increased iron deposition in the aged mtHEPOR mice. In conclusion, the erythroid drive-mediated inhibition of hepcidin production in mtHEPOR mice in the prenatal/perinatal period is postnatally abrogated by increasing iron stores promoting hepcidin synthesis. The differences observed in studied characteristics between mtHEPOR heterozygotes and homozygotes suggest dose-dependent alterations of downstream EPOR stimulation.

Perspective: Pivotal translational hematology and therapeutic insights in chronic myeloid hematopoietic stem cell malignancies.

Despite much of the past 2 years being engulfed by the devastating consequences of the SAR-CoV-2 pandemic, significant progress, even breathtaking, occurred in the field of chronic myeloid malignancies. Some of this was show-cased at the 15th Post-American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the 25th John Goldman workshops on myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) held on 9th-10th December 2020 and 7th-10th October 2021, respectively. The inaugural Post-ASH MPN workshop was set out in 2006 by John Goldman (deceased) and Tariq Mughal to answer emerging translational hematology and therapeutics of patients with these malignancies. Rather than present a resume of the discussions, this perspective focuses on some of the pivotal translational hematology and therapeutic insights in these diseases.

A randomized phase 3 trial of interferon-α vs hydroxyurea in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia.

The goal of therapy for patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) is to reduce thrombotic events by normalizing blood counts. Hydroxyurea (HU) and interferon-α (IFN-α) are the most frequently used cytoreductive options for patients with ET and PV at high risk for vascular complications. Myeloproliferative Disorders Research Consortium 112 was an investigator-initiated, phase 3 trial comparing HU to pegylated IFN-α (PEG) in treatment-naïve, high-risk patients with ET/PV. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) rate at 12 months. A total of 168 patients were treated for a median of 81.0 weeks. CR for HU was 37% and 35% for PEG (P = .80) at 12 months. At 24 to 36 months, CR was 20% to 17% for HU and 29% to 33% for PEG. PEG led to a greater reduction in JAK2V617F at 24 months, but histopathologic responses were more frequent with HU. Thrombotic events and disease progression were infrequent in both arms, whereas grade 3/4 adverse events were more frequent with PEG (46% vs 28%). At 12 months of treatment, there was no significant difference in CR rates between HU and PEG. This study indicates that PEG and HU are both effective treatments for PV and ET. With longer treatment, PEG was more effective in normalizing blood counts and reducing driver mutation burden, whereas HU produced more histopathologic responses. Despite these differences, both agents did not differ in limiting thrombotic events and disease progression in high-risk patients with ET/PV. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01259856.

Safety and Efficacy of Ruxolitinib in Patients with Myelofibrosis and Low Platelet Counts (50 - 100 × 109/L): Final Analysis of an Open-Label Phase 2 Study.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment options in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) presenting with thrombocytopenia are limited. Final results of the phase 2 study (NCT01348490) of ruxolitinib in patients with MF and low baseline platelet counts (50 - 100 × 109/L) are reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received ruxolitinib 5 mg twice daily (BID), with optional up-titration to a maximum of 15 mg BID, provided platelet count remained ≥40 × 109/L. Assessments included spleen volume and length, Total Symptom Score (TSS), quality of life, and safety. RESULTS: Of 66 patients, 52 (78.8%) completed the first 24 weeks of treatment. Median (range) percentage change from baseline in spleen volume and TSS (coprimary endpoints) were -20.5% (-55.8% to 38.5%, n=51) and -39.8% (-98.6% to 226.4%, n=53), respectively; greatest median reductions were in the 10 mg BID final titrated dose group. Of patients achieving ≥35% or ≥10% reduction in spleen volume, 8/11 (72.7%) and 21/34 (61.8%), respectively, were in the 10 mg BID final titrated dose group. Thirty-seven of 65 patients (56.9%) had ≥20% improvement in TSS, and 35/66 patients (53.0%) were Patient Global Impression of Change responders. Treatment-emergent adverse events led to dose interruption in 17/66 patients (25.8%), most commonly thrombocytopenia (n=3). CONCLUSION: A starting dose of ruxolitinib 5 mg BID with gradual up-titration and dose optimization based on hematologic parameters and response was efficacious and generally well-tolerated in patients with MF and low platelet counts. Median improvement in spleen volume and symptoms was greatest for patients receiving ruxolitinib 10 mg BID.

α-Ketoglutarate Inhibits Thrombosis and Inflammation by Prolyl Hydroxylase-2 Mediated Inactivation of Phospho-Akt.

BACKGROUND: Phospho-Akt1 (pAkt1) undergoes prolyl hydroxylation at Pro125 and Pro313 by the prolyl hydroxylase-2 (PHD2) in a reaction decarboxylating α-ketoglutarate (αKG). We investigated whether the αKG supplementation could inhibit Akt-mediated activation of platelets and monocytes, in vitro as well as in vivo, by augmenting PHD2 activity. METHODS: We treated platelets or monocytes isolated from healthy individuals with αKG in presence of agonists in vitro and assessed the signalling molecules including pAkt1. We supplemented mice with dietary αKG and estimated the functional responses of platelets and monocytes ex vivo. Further, we investigated the impact of dietary αKG on inflammation and thrombosis in lungs of mice either treated with thrombosis-inducing agent carrageenan or infected with SARS-CoV-2. FINDINGS: Octyl αKG supplementation to platelets promoted PHD2 activity through elevated intracellular αKG to succinate ratio, and reduced aggregation in vitro by suppressing pAkt1(Thr308). Augmented PHD2 activity was confirmed by increased hydroxylated-proline and enhanced binding of PHD2 to pAkt in αKG-treated platelets. Contrastingly, inhibitors of PHD2 significantly increased pAkt1 in platelets. Octyl-αKG followed similar mechanism in monocytes to inhibit cytokine secretion in vitro. Our data also describe a suppressed pAkt1 and reduced activation of platelets and leukocytes ex vivo from mice supplemented with dietary αKG, unaccompanied by alteration in their number. Dietary αKG significantly reduced clot formation and leukocyte accumulation in various organs including lungs of mice treated with thrombosis-inducing agent carrageenan. Importantly, in SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters, we observed a significant rescue effect of dietary αKG on inflamed lungs with significantly reduced leukocyte accumulation, clot formation and viral load alongside down-modulation of pAkt in the lung of the infected animals. INTERPRETATION: Our study suggests that dietary αKG supplementation prevents Akt-driven maladies such as thrombosis and inflammation and rescues pathology of COVID19-infected lungs. FUNDING: Study was funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India (grants: BT/PR22881 and BT/PR22985); and the Science and Engineering Research Board, Govt. of India (CRG/000092).