A novel lymphoid progenitor cell population (LSKlow) is restricted by p18INK4c

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKN2C (p18INK4c) restrains self-renewal in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and participates in the development and maturation of lymphoid cells. Deficiency in p18 predisposes mice and humans to hematopoietic lymphoid malignancies such as T-cell leukemia and multiple myeloma. However, the mechanism by which p18 regulates differentiation from HSCs to lymphoid cells is poorly understood. In this study, we found that a progenitor population characterized by its expression of surface markers, Lin− Sca-1+ c-Kitlow (LSKlow), was markedly expanded in the bone marrow of p18 knock-out (p18−/−) mice. This novel population possessed lymphoid differentiation potential, but not myeloid differentiation potential, both in vitro and in vivo. Whereas LSKlow cells and common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) overlapped functionally in generating lymphoid cells, they were distinct cell populations, because they had different gene expression profiles. Unlike CLPs, LSKlow cells did not express the interleukin-7 receptor. LSKlow cells were derived from HSCs and were independent of the p18-deleted microenvironment. This cell population may represent a previously unappreciated transitional stage from HSCs to lymphoid progenitors that is strictly restricted by p18 under physiological conditions. Likewise, LSKlow might serve as a new cellular target of lymphoid malignances in the absence of p18.