Bone Marrow Failure Model Mimics Aplastic Anemia Patients: Single-Cell Landscape of Immune Response Reveals Novel Mechanisms of Immune Imbalance in AA.

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of HSPCs impairment in aplastic anemia (AA) remains unclear. We focused on CD8+ T cells and investigated platelets, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and mitochondrial energy metabolism, aiming to elucidate the cellular atlas changes associated with bone marrow failure (BMF).

METHODS

We have successfully established a mouse model of bone marrow failure and analyzed the immune response at the single-cell level.

RESULTS

Platelets regulate CD4+/CD8+ T cells and macrophages by releasing PF4. CXCR3/CXCR5 bind to PF4, activating mitochondrial signaling pathways. The decrease of Treg weakens immunosuppression. Additionally, there is a significant increase in CD8+ effector T cells. Increased energy metabolism was observed in CD8+ stress T cells. It should be noted that platelet reduction itself in AA weakens energy metabolism, subsequently impairing the hemostatic and thrombotic functions. However, platelets' regulatory function in immune cells remains significant. An imbalance in M1 and M2 macrophage polarization is observed. While a phenotype macrophage and CD8+ naive T cells are important cell phenotypes in marrow aging, they do not contribute to pathology failure.

CONCLUSION

The possible mechanisms of BMF in AA: based on PF4, platelet-T cell/macrophage crosstalk leads to immune overactivation and the release of cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, which attack the marrow. Therefore, transforming imbalanced CD8+ effector T cells, stress T cells, Treg cells, and M1/M2 macrophages into CD8+ naive T cells and a phenotype of macrophages via inhibiting platelet immune regulatory function may provide a promising strategy to reverse BMF.