Quantification of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by targeted DNA methylation analysis

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are quantified in daily clinical practice by flow cytometry. In this study, we provide proof of concept that HSPCs can also be estimated by targeted DNA methylation (DNAm) analysis. The DNAm levels at three individual CG dinucleotides (CpG sites) in the genes MYO1D, STK17A, and SP140 correlated with CD34(+) cell numbers in mobilized peripheral blood and with blast counts in leukemia. In the future, such epigenetic biomarkers can support the evaluation of stem cell mobilization, HSPC harvesting, or blast count in leukemia.

Automated summary

In this study, researchers demonstrate that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) can be estimated by targeted DNA methylation (DNAm) analysis. DNAm levels at specific CpG sites in the genes MYO1D, STK17A, and SP140 were found to correlate with CD34(+) cell numbers in mobilized peripheral blood and blast counts in leukemia. These epigenetic biomarkers could potentially be used to assess stem cell mobilization, HSPC harvesting, or blast count in leukemia.