Mutant p53 drives clonal hematopoiesis through modulating epigenetic pathway

Nat Commun. 2019 Dec 11;10(1):5649. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13542-2.

Abstract

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) increases with age and is associated with increased risks of hematological malignancies. While TP53 mutations have been identified in CHIP, the molecular mechanisms by which mutant p53 promotes hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) expansion are largely unknown. Here we discover that mutant p53 confers a competitive advantage to HSPCs following transplantation and promotes HSPC expansion after radiation-induced stress. Mechanistically, mutant p53 interacts with EZH2 and enhances its association with the chromatin, thereby increasing the levels of H3K27me3 in genes regulating HSPC self-renewal and differentiation. Furthermore, genetic and pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 decreases the repopulating potential of p53 mutant HSPCs. Thus, we uncover an epigenetic mechanism by which mutant p53 drives clonal hematopoiesis. Our work will likely establish epigenetic regulator EZH2 as a novel therapeutic target for preventing CHIP progression and treating hematological malignancies with TP53 mutations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / genetics
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein / metabolism
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Female
  • Hematologic Diseases / genetics
  • Hematologic Diseases / metabolism*
  • Hematologic Diseases / physiopathology
  • Hematopoiesis*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Histones / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylation
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Histones
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Ezh2 protein, mouse