Neuronal regulation of bone marrow stem cell niches

Structural components of the bone marrow niche

The bone marrow (BM) is highly vascularized to provide nutrients and oxygen. The nutrient artery and vein infiltrate the compact bone and subsequently branch to form small arterioles. These arterioles connect via transition zone vessels (also called type H capillaries) to the venous sinusoids near the endosteum, which is the interface between the bone surface and the BM^1–3. BM sinusoids form a complex network and are found in the central marrow, operating as the site where hematopoietic cells migrate in and out of the BM⁴, although a recent study suggested that transcortical vessels in bone represent an additional important migration route⁵.

Each niche likely operates different functions and exhibits its own cellular composition. Key cellular niche components are the stromal cells necessary for producing niche factors that directly act on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Perivascular cells identified by the expression of the intermediate filament protein NESTIN contain BM mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and can be divided in Nestin-Gfp transgenic mice into two subsets according to their GFP expression: Nes-GFP^bright and Nes-GFP^dim. Nes-GFP^dim cells are located around the sinusoids, and Nes-GFP^bright cells are located around the arterioles² and the transition zone vessels⁶. Stromal cells can be further divided to neuron-glial antigen (NG2)-expressing cells², Cxcl12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells⁷, and cells expressing leptin receptor (LepR)¹, all of which overlap with Nes-GFP⁺ cells to varying degrees^8,9.

NG2⁺ cells ensheath the arterioles which have been proposed as an important niche for regulating the quiescence of HSCs via the secretion of Cxcl12, whereas others have attributed the same function to LEPR⁺ cells in the sinusoids^2,10–12. Most likely, the discrepancies are due to different interpretations of the specificity and recombination efficiency of the Cre lines used, given the large overlap among these cell populations^8,9. On the other hand, CAR cells are defined by Cxcl12 expression, essentially coincide with LEPR⁺ cells and Nes-GFP^dim cells, and are located throughout the BM^1,7.

The BM is highly innervated by various types of nerves, of which the autonomic branch is predominant¹³. Sympathetic nerve fibers enter the BM through the nutrient foramen and are closely associated with the blood vessels, before sprouting and innervating different BM regions¹⁴, although some nerves may reach the BM associated with transcortical vessels in bone. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) has been demonstrated to regulate various hematopoietic cell functions directly or indirectly mainly via the stromal cells, mediated by neurotransmitters binding to beta adrenergic receptors (β-ADRs)¹³. β-ADRs are coupled with G_s trimeric proteins and activate adenylate cyclase, catalyzing the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which subsequently activates protein kinase A phosphorylation of the receptor¹⁵. Contrastingly, the presence of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), another branch of the SNS, within the BM is vastly unexplored. The PNS uses acetylcholine (ACh) as the main neurotransmitter, which binds to muscarinic or nicotinic receptors. One study suggested that the PNS may innervate the distal femoral metaphysis¹⁶ and another similarly supported cholinergic innervation within the BM of rats¹⁷. However, additional neuroanatomical evidence of parasympathetic BM innervation is essentially lacking¹⁸. Moreover, the bone anabolic effect of the PNS¹⁶ was suggested by another group to be indirectly mediated through the inhibition of central sympathetic tone¹⁹. Therefore, clarification on whether the PNS innervates the BM is required. Overall, little is known about how parasympathetic or, more broadly, cholinergic signaling might influence either HSCs or their BM niches.

Bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell niche: location matters

The dissection of BM niches is still a developing area because of the dynamic features of the niches to meet the physiological demands and their alterations in different scenarios such as aging, malignancies, or response to stress. Single-cell studies have provided insights into the heterogeneity of the stromal cells, forming an increasingly complex picture^20–22. In addition, HSCs themselves are functionally and molecularly heterogeneous^23–25, raising the possibility that distinct subpopulations of HSCs are regulated by specialized niches.

It is possible that distinct vascular niches can orchestrate the balance between quiescence and proliferation of HSCs, which is necessary for homeostasis but also regeneration of the BM following injury. Consequently, studies have investigated how the regulation of HSCs differs depending on whether they are located within the endosteal region or the central marrow. In particular, these differences become more apparent under stress conditions. Following irradiation, HSCs tend to home to the endosteal region and HSCs isolated from this region exhibit greater in vivo homing and reconstitution potential than HSCs located in the central marrow^26–28.

Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the endosteal region is important to preserve HSC quiescence under proliferative stress and to support regeneration of the HSC pool following injury^29–31. The stromal cell populations within the endosteal region better resist myeloablation, and N-cadherin⁺ MSCs³¹ and CD73⁺ MSCs³² have been identified as resistant cell populations that contribute to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) engraftment and subsequent hematopoietic recovery. Reserve HSCs and primed HSCs have been distinguished by their proliferation and sensitivity to chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil). Notably, whereas primed HSCs tend to be located within the central BM niche, reserve HSCs are preferentially maintained in the endosteal region³¹. Reserve HSCs are able to resist chemotherapy in part due to N-cadherin⁺ MSCs, which expand and produce cytokines to aid recovery after myeloablation³¹. Overall, these studies confirm that the endosteal BM region is important for mediating hematopoietic regeneration after stress.

Neuronal regulation under steady state

Glial cells

Glial cells supporting BM nerve fibers have also been suggested to regulate HSC proliferation⁴¹. Non-myelinating Schwann cells wrap around the sympathetic nerves travelling along the vasculature within the BM. Non-myelination Schwann cells have been reported to maintain HSC quiescence via secretion of tumor growth factor beta (TGF-β) activator molecules and induction of TGF-β/SMAD signaling in HSCs⁴¹. This signaling contributes to HSC quiescence through increased phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3⁴¹, hence supporting the maintenance and self-renewal of HSCs⁴².

Effects of muscarinic signaling on hematopoiesis

So far, the studies addressing cholinergic regulation of hematopoiesis have focused mostly on muscarinic receptor signaling. One study demonstrated that cholinergic receptor muscarinic 4 (CHRM4) regulated self-renewal of early erythroid progenitors, and muscarinic receptor antagonists have been proposed as a therapy for treating anemia⁴³. Pierce et al. uncovered another pathway connecting the brain with the BM to regulate mobilization of HSCs enforced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)⁴⁴. The authors demonstrated how the muscarinic receptor type 1 (Chrm1) signaling in the hypothalamus promoted G-CSF-induced HSC mobilization via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis⁴⁴. Thus, priming HSC migration through glucocorticoid (GC) hormone levels, which exhibit circadian oscillations, and binding to the receptor Nr3c1 regulates G-CSF-induced HSC mobilization⁴⁴. Whereas these studies have uncovered the influence of muscarinic signaling on HSCs, further investigation of other cholinergic signaling pathways (particularly involving nicotinic receptors) possibly influencing HSCs is warranted.

Neuronal hematopoietic stem cell regulation under stress

Hematological stress can be caused as a result of a diverse range of factors from psychological stress to hematological malignancies. However, one common consequence is the dysregulation of the SNS, predominantly affecting myelopoiesis. The following sections discuss current studies of neuronal regulation of HSCs under various stress conditions.

Immunity

Leukocytes exit the blood following circadian rhythms and undergo extensive interactions with endothelial cells as they migrate between the BM and extramedullary sites. The expression of adhesion molecules, chemokines and their receptors follow daily rhythms that regulate the migration of leukocyte subsets within distinct vascular beds. Ablation of the transcription factor BMAL1, which is an essential for clock gene, demonstrated that rhythmic leukocyte recruitment is dependent on both cell-autonomous and microenvironmental oscillations⁴⁵. Under stress conditions (e.g. jetlag or transplantation), alterations in these rhythms can have physiological consequences by disrupting hematopoietic cell recruitment and recovery. Therefore, time-based therapeutics for transplantations and inflammatory diseases may prove beneficial³⁶. In addition, leukocyte adhesion to arteries and veins is disproportionately disrupted following an inflammatory response, with arteries driving rhythmic inflammatory responses within the vasculature⁴⁶. Altogether, these studies suggest an important influence of circadian rhythms in immune response.

Mak and Tracey’s laboratories have pioneered research into how neural signals regulate immunity by showing that norepinephrine-induced T cell-derived ACh regulates immune response^47–50. Recently, they have demonstrated that ChAT is induced in both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells during infection in an interleukin-21 (IL-21)-dependent manner and is key for overcoming infections⁴⁷. Moreover, they have validated that ChAT is expressed and ACh is produced by B cells following stimulation with sulphated cholecystokinin, resulting in controlled recruitment of neutrophils⁴⁸. In the proposed circuit, the vagus nerve acts via the splenic nerve, which releases ACh from T cells. ACh binds to the nicotinic ACh receptor α7 subunit on macrophages, causing the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor release, thus regulating inflammation⁴⁹. The vagus nerve-to-spleen circuit can also be controlled at a central level and can be exploited to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine release^51,52. Overall, these studies suggest the importance of the cholinergic vagus nerve-to-spleen anti-inflammatory pathways. However, it is important to mention that other groups have suggested alternative ways to explain the cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex. Particularly, the efferent arm of the inflammatory reflex seems to involve a different splanchnic anti-inflammatory pathway⁵³.

Impact of the autonomic nervous system on the skeleton

Apart from the direct regulation of hematopoietic cells and their niches, it is likely that circadian oscillation of neural activity indirectly regulates hematopoiesis and immunity through their effects on bone remodeling. Skeletal remodeling comprises two phases: resorption by osteoclasts and formation by osteoblasts, allowing vertebrates to regulate bone mass daily. Osteoblasts are multifunctional cells able to control osteoclast differentiation. Notably, the energy expenditure hormone leptin inhibits bone formation through a neuronal relay. Sympathetic signaling via β₂-ADR on osteoblasts regulate their proliferation and control bone formation downstream of leptin⁵⁴. The SNS favors bone resorption by increasing the expression of Rankl on osteoblast progenitor cells, which regulates osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, leptin regulates the expression of the neuropeptide cocaine amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), which inhibits bone resorption by controlling Rankl expression⁵⁵.

In addition, osteoclast function is inhibited by cholinergic parasympathetic signals that inhibit sympathetic tone centrally¹⁹. The skeleton can in turn modulate neural activity through secretion of the hormone osteocalcin, which regulates parasympathetic tone⁵⁶. Therefore, it is likely there is an interplay between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to regulate bone remodeling and stress responses. These pathways, which could have potential therapeutic implications for several complex disorders including osteoporosis, chronic fatigue and fracture repair⁵⁷, may also profoundly impact hematopoiesis.

Cardiovascular disease

Ischemic myocardium causes the heart to initiate the influx of circulating myeloid cells to the site of damage. In turn, this results in the SNS signaling to the BM to increase the production of leukocytes to meet the demand, aided by circulating mediators such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-1β produced by the heart^58–61. Therefore, the SNS regulates inflammation in cardiovascular disease by controlling HSPC proliferation and differentiation in response to stress. In addition, it was recently demonstrated that patients who exhibit recurrent myocardial infarction have a dampened emergency hematopoiesis response, due to long-term reprogramming of myeloid progenitors from the first myocardial infarction, resulting in fewer leukocytes being recruited to the site of injury⁶². Consequently, this is a potentially important factor to consider when selecting therapies for recurrent myocardial infarction⁶².

Social and psychological stress

Both social and chronic psychological stress have been demonstrated to lead to SNS-induced upregulation of myelopoiesis in mice and subsequently to increases in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines^63,64. These effects were reversed with the treatment of propranolol, which is a non-selective beta blocker^63,64. Following on from those studies and previous studies on adrenergic HSC regulation³⁵, chronic psychosocial stress was demonstrated to act on the most primitive progenitors, causing an increase in the proliferation of HSPCs in the BM of mice⁶⁵. This finding translated to the human setting, where it was observed that chronic stress induced monocytosis and neutrophilia in humans⁶⁵. This was due to the activation of the SNS, causing an increase in catecholamine levels, which activate the β₃-ADR on BM niche cells, resulting in a decrease in CXCL12 levels³⁵. The HSC mobilization to peripheral circulation and the spleen, and the subsequent myeloid expansion in the spleen can aggravate chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis^58,66.

Burn injury

In the context of burn patients, who receive multiple blood transfusions for the treatment of anemia, increased catecholamine levels induced expansion of HSPCs and increased their myeloid regulatory transcription factor (MafB) expression, causing a myeloid shift at the expense of megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitors⁶⁷. Chronic propranolol treatment restored the expansion of these cells but also influenced the myelo-erythroid bifurcation by reducing the granulocyte-monocyte progenitors and increasing megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cells in the BM of burn-stressed mice⁶⁷. These observations translated to the human setting, where ex vivo culture of burn patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells also demonstrated that their commitment stage of erythropoiesis was impaired and could be restored with propranolol⁶⁷. Consequently, beta-adrenergic blockers exhibit therapeutic value for burn patients by redirecting the hematopoietic commitment toward erythroid lineage via decreased MafB expression in multipotent progenitors, leading to increased erythropoietin responsiveness⁶⁷. How these forms of stress affect hematopoiesis through the nervous system is summarized in Table 1.

Aging

The hematopoietic system is disrupted upon aging, resulting in the increase of HSCs which are functionally impaired^68,69. These changes are caused by both cell-intrinsic dysregulation and remodeling of the BM microenvironment^70,71. One of the hallmarks of hematopoietic aging is that the myeloid output of HSCs increases at the expense of lymphopoiesis^68,69. One study carried out transplantations of old HSCs into young recipients and vice versa. The young microenvironment was able to reduce myelopoiesis, confirming the contribution of the microenvironment⁷². We recently noted that the SNS is actively involved in aging of the hematopoietic system. Our recent study demonstrated that sympathetic noradrenergic fibers marked by tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) increased in the mouse BM with aging⁶. Increased β₂-adrenergic signaling in expanded central BM niches promoted myeloid cell expansion⁶. A functional switch of neurotransmission, favoring β₂-ADR over β₃-ADR signaling during aging, appears to favor myeloid cell expansion through the regulation of the BM microenvironment⁶. An active role for the nervous system in aging is supported by the increased basal sympathetic tone during human aging^73–75 and by a recent study indicating that increased excitatory neurotransmission reduces the life span⁷⁶. In contrast, another study suggested that BM Th⁺ fibers were reduced (not increased) during aging and that surgical denervation of young BM increased myelopoiesis⁷⁷. However, BM noradrenergic nerve fibers appear to decrease from youth to adulthood (8-month-old adult mice compared with 2-month-old mice; Supplementary Figure 5b in REF⁷⁷) but these fibers appear increased (not decreased) in old (20-month-old) mice⁶. Moreover, the possible contribution of the inflammation caused by experimental surgical denervation to the hematopoietic aging phenotypes⁷⁷ should be considered.

Diabetes

The disautonomia associated with diabetes has been shown to affect the BM, disrupt the peripheral clock, and compromise G-CSF-induced HSC mobilization in experimental models because of the HSC niche deregulation^78,79. In humans, cardiovascular diabetic autonomic neuropathy correlates with decreased circulating HSPCs with increased 66-kDa protein from the src homology and collagen homology domain (p66Shc) and reduced expression of sirtuin 1 (Sirt1)⁸⁰.

Hematopoietic recovery following radiation

Ionizing radiation and chemotherapy used to treat cancer cause BM injury and alter the BM cellular composition. Following chemotherapy, there is an increase in apoptosis of mature cells along with progenitor cells that are cycling. Chemotherapy can damage BM innervation⁸¹ and catecholamines, namely norepinephrine can improve hematopoietic reconstitution following chemotherapy in mice^81,82. Furthermore, G-CSF and GM-CSF are commonly used to accelerate myelopoiesis and minimize the burden of chemotherapy. These cytokines upregulate the expression of neuronal receptors on HSPCs, allowing for them to form a greater response to neurotransmitters, leading to enhanced proliferation and motility of human CD34⁺ progenitor cells and subsequent repopulation of mouse BM⁸³. Additionally, mitotically active Nestin-GFP⁺ perisinusoidal niche cells are greatly diminished whereas the Nestin-GFP⁺ peri-arteriolar niche cells exhibit greater chemoresistance because of their higher quiescence².

Consequently, the use of adrenergic agents as a therapeutic approach should be investigated further, adding to the available evidence on α1-ADR agonists or β-ADR agonists^81,82,84.

Hematological malignancies

The SNS has also been implicated in the development of hematological malignancies, predominantly the progression of myeloid malignancies. Sympathetic neuropathy occurs in the development of both acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)^85,86, but the consequences appear to be different. In MPN, IL-1β produced by the mutant hematopoietic cells damages sensitive HSC niche components, such as neural terminals, Schwann cells, and Nestin⁺ MSCs⁸⁶. In contrast, experimental AML causes the reduction in arteriole-associated NG2⁺ cell numbers and correlates with the expansion of Nestin-GFP⁺ stromal cells⁸⁵. In MPN, chronic administration of β₃-adrenergic agonists to compensate for the defective innervation can rescue Nestin⁺ niche cells and improve myelofibrosis (BM scarring hampering normal hematopoiesis) in both mice⁸⁶ and humans⁸⁷. Different effects of β₃-adrenergic agonists in mouse models and human MPN might be explained by the different drugs or dosing used. In AML, the relevance of sympathetic neuropathy⁸⁵ remains to be demonstrated in humans. The changes in sympathetic regulation of HSC niches during aging and age-related myeloid malignancies are briefly summarized in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Model illustrating hematopoietic stem cell niche alterations with aging and age-related myeloid malignancies.

Scheme shows key hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche cell types and their alterations during aging and age-related myeloid malignancies. (a) Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can differentiate into osteoblasts or adipocytes, regulate HSCs in endosteal niches enriched in transition zone capillaries or in central niches enriched in sinusoids. Nestin-green fluorescent protein (Nes-GFP)^bright neural-glial antigen 2 (NG2)⁺ MSCs are associated with endosteal capillaries and arterioles located throughout the bone marrow (BM), whereas Nes-GFP^dim leptin receptor (LEPR)⁺ CXC-chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12)-abundant reticular (CAR) MSCs are associated with sinusoids in the central BM. Sympathetic nerve fibers regulate CXCL12 expression in MSCs and the migration of HSCs through the sinusoids. Different MSC subpopulations, endothelial cells, non-myelinating Schwann cells, and megakaryocytes contribute to regulate HSC proliferation. (b) During mouse aging, sympathetic fibers increase, but β₃-adrenergic signaling is reduced, whilst β₂-adrenergic signaling increases promoting myeloid skewing. Megakaryocytes increase but locate further away from HSCs. (c, d) In myeloid malignancies, a damage to this neural regulation of MSCs might contribute to disease progression. (c) In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), sympathetic nerve fibers and NG2⁺ Nes-GFP^bright MSCs decrease, whilst Nes-GFP^dim MSCs increase, although the implications for human AML are unknown. (d) In MPN, the neuroglial damage leads to apoptosis of Nestin-GFP⁺ MSCs, which can be rescued through chronic treatment with sympathicomimetic drugs that indirectly improve reticulin fibrosis in mice and humans. ADR, adrenergic receptor, NA, noradrenaline.

Conclusions and future perspectives

The BM is regulated by neural signals principally emerging from the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic noradrenergic branch has been much more explored than the parasympathetic (cholinergic) branch, both under steady state and during stress hematopoiesis. The data available suggest that sympathetic innervation regulates BM homeostasis but is especially important to respond to stress scenarios. Recent evidence suggests that the cholinergic branch of the autonomic nervous system contributes to this regulation⁴⁰. However, the roles of this cholinergic branch (sympathetic or parasympathetic) in the regulation of hematopoiesis remain largely unexplored.

During chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and short-term social and psychological stress, beta blockers have been demonstrated to revert excessive myelopoiesis. Whether a similar strategy could be proposed to prevent excessive myeloid cell production during aging or age-related myeloid malignancies requires further investigation. The possible contribution of other adrenergic or cholinergic signaling pathways to the progression of hematological disorders is an exciting area for future investigation.

Abbreviations

ACh, acetylcholine; ADR, adrenergic receptor; AML, acute myelogenous leukemia; BM, bone marrow; CAR, Cxcl12-abundant reticular; ChAT, choline acetyltransferase; G-CSF, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; HSC, hematopoietic stem cell; HSPC, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell; IL, interleukin; LepR, leptin receptor; MafB, myeloid regulatory transcription factor; MPN, myeloproliferative neoplasm; MSC, mesenchymal stem cell; NG2, neuron-glial antigen; PNS, parasympathetic nervous system; SNS, sympathetic nervous system; Th, tyrosine hydroxylase