Panhematopoietic RNA barcoding enables kinetic measurements of nucleate and anucleate lineages and the activation of myeloid clones following acute platelet depletion

BackgroundPlatelets and erythrocytes constitute over 95% of all hematopoietic stem cell output. However, the clonal dynamics of HSC contribution to these lineages remains largely unexplored.ResultsWe use lentiviral genetic labeling of mouse hematopoietic stem cells to quantify output from all lineages, nucleate, and anucleate, simultaneously linking these with stem and progenitor cell transcriptomic phenotypes using single-cell RNA-sequencing. We observe dynamic shifts of clonal behaviors through time in same-animal peripheral blood and demonstrate that acute platelet depletion shifts the output of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells to the exclusive production of platelets. Additionally, we observe the emergence of new myeloid-biased clones, which support short- and long-term production of blood cells.ConclusionsOur approach enables kinetic studies of multi-lineage output in the peripheral blood and transcriptional heterogeneity of individual hematopoietic stem cells. Our results give a unique insight into hematopoietic stem cell reactivation upon platelet depletion and of clonal dynamics in both steady state and under stress.

Automated summary

This study investigates the clonal dynamics of hematopoietic stem cells in the production of platelets and erythrocytes. The results show dynamic shifts of clonal behaviors over time and reveal that acute platelet depletion leads to exclusive production of platelets by multipotent hematopoietic stem cells. Additionally, the study identifies the emergence of new myeloid-biased clones supporting the production of blood cells.