Inherited mutations in the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) causing premature termination of the receptor cytoplasmic region are associated with dominant familial erythrocytosis (FE), a benign clinical condition characterized by hypersensitivity of erythroid progenitor cells to EPO and low serum EPO (S-EPO) levels. We describe a Swedish family with dominant FE in which erythrocytosis segregates with a new truncation in the negative control domain of the EPOR. We show that cells engineered to concomitantly express the wild-type (WT) EPOR and mutant EPORs associated with FE (FE EPORs) are hypersensitive to EPO-stimulated proliferation and activation of Jak2 and Stat5. These results demonstrate that FE is caused by hyperresponsiveness of receptor-mediated signaling pathways and that this is dominant with respect to WT EPOR signaling.

Topics:
erythropoietin, erythropoietin receptors, familial erythrocytosis, hypersensitivity, mutation, heterozygote, erythrocytosis

THE SWEDISH erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) allele contains a direct tandem duplication of nucleotides 5968 to 5975. This results in a frameshift beyond residue 405, introducing 25 amino acids not related to the EPOR, and a premature stop codon, deleting 79 residues at the C-terminus of the receptor (data not shown). Affected family members (Fig 1A, Table 1) were plethoric and often had additional symptoms, including hypertension, headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds, and exertional dyspnea, which were most pronounced in the males. These symptoms were alleviated by phlebotomies, and phlebotomy treatment has been recommended.

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. Dominant erythrocytosis and EPO hypersensitivity. (A) Pedigree of the Swedish family. (B) EPO-dependent proliferation in 32D cell lines. Cells expressing WT (•), mFin (▴), mSwed (▪), mFin+WT (▾), or mSwed+WT (⧫) were assayed for growth in EPO-containing medium. (C and D) EPO-dependent Jak2 and Stat5 activation in 32D cell lines. Cells were stimulated with EPO and Jak2 and Stat5 activation determined by immunoprecipitation and antiphosphotyrosine immunoblot assays. Methods: The inheritance pattern of familial erythrocytosis among members of a 5-generation family from southern Sweden was determined by clinical observation. In some cases the presence of the mutant EPOR allele was assayed by direct genomic sequencing or an allele-specific hybridization test. 32D cell lines were established as described.12 Cells were grown in media containing serial dilutions of EPO (from 10−4 to 10 U/mL), or in media containing interleukin-3 (IL-3). Viable cells were counted after 3 days. The number of cells in EPO cultures is expressed as a percentage of the cells present in IL-3 cultures (% IL-3 response). For Jak2 and Stat5 activity assays, 32D cells were stimulated for 10 minutes at 37°C with 0.2, 1.0, 2.0, or 10.0 U/mL EPO, or were left unstimulated, as indicated. Proteins were immunoprecipitated from detergent cell extracts with an antibody specific for Jak2 or Stat5, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and transferred to nitrocellulose. The filters were probed with antiphosphotyrosine antibody 4G10 and developed with chemiluminescent reagents.912 A computer-generated image of the region of the gel containing Jak2 (≈130 kD) or Stat5 (≈90 kD) is shown. Chemiluminescent signals were quantified on a lumi-imager and are expressed as a percentage of the level of Jak2 or Stat5 phosphorylation elicited by EPO stimulation of the WT receptor at 10 U/mL EPO (arbitrarily set to 100%). The levels of protein phosphorylation were normalized to the levels of immunoprecipitated Jak2 or Stat5 for each sample.
View largeDownload PPT
Fig. 1. Dominant erythrocytosis and EPO hypersensitivity. (A) Pedigree of the Swedish family. (B) EPO-dependent proliferation in 32D cell lines. Cells expressing WT (•), mFin (▴), mSwed (▪), mFin+WT (▾), or mSwed+WT (⧫) were assayed for growth in EPO-containing medium. (C and D) EPO-dependent Jak2 and Stat5 activation in 32D cell lines. Cells were stimulated with EPO and Jak2 and Stat5 activation determined by immunoprecipitation and antiphosphotyrosine immunoblot assays. Methods: The inheritance pattern of familial erythrocytosis among members of a 5-generation family from southern Sweden was determined by clinical observation. In some cases the presence of the mutant EPOR allele was assayed by direct genomic sequencing or an allele-specific hybridization test. 32D cell lines were established as described.12 Cells were grown in media containing serial dilutions of EPO (from 10−4 to 10 U/mL), or in media containing interleukin-3 (IL-3). Viable cells were counted after 3 days. The number of cells in EPO cultures is expressed as a percentage of the cells present in IL-3 cultures (% IL-3 response). For Jak2 and Stat5 activity assays, 32D cells were stimulated for 10 minutes at 37°C with 0.2, 1.0, 2.0, or 10.0 U/mL EPO, or were left unstimulated, as indicated. Proteins were immunoprecipitated from detergent cell extracts with an antibody specific for Jak2 or Stat5, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and transferred to nitrocellulose. The filters were probed with antiphosphotyrosine antibody 4G10 and developed with chemiluminescent reagents.912 A computer-generated image of the region of the gel containing Jak2 (≈130 kD) or Stat5 (≈90 kD) is shown. Chemiluminescent signals were quantified on a lumi-imager and are expressed as a percentage of the level of Jak2 or Stat5 phosphorylation elicited by EPO stimulation of the WT receptor at 10 U/mL EPO (arbitrarily set to 100%). The levels of protein phosphorylation were normalized to the levels of immunoprecipitated Jak2 or Stat5 for each sample.
View largeDownload PPT

Dominant erythrocytosis and EPO hypersensitivity. (A) Pedigree of the Swedish family. (B) EPO-dependent proliferation in 32D cell lines. Cells expressing WT (•), mFin (▴), mSwed (▪), mFin+WT (▾), or mSwed+WT (⧫) were assayed for growth in EPO-containing medium. (C and D) EPO-dependent Jak2 and Stat5 activation in 32D cell lines. Cells were stimulated with EPO and Jak2 and Stat5 activation determined by immunoprecipitation and antiphosphotyrosine immunoblot assays. Methods: The inheritance pattern of familial erythrocytosis among members of a 5-generation family from southern Sweden was determined by clinical observation. In some cases the presence of the mutant EPOR allele was assayed by direct genomic sequencing or an allele-specific hybridization test. 32D cell lines were established as described.12 Cells were grown in media containing serial dilutions of EPO (from 10−4 to 10 U/mL), or in media containing interleukin-3 (IL-3). Viable cells were counted after 3 days. The number of cells in EPO cultures is expressed as a percentage of the cells present in IL-3 cultures (% IL-3 response). For Jak2 and Stat5 activity assays, 32D cells were stimulated for 10 minutes at 37°C with 0.2, 1.0, 2.0, or 10.0 U/mL EPO, or were left unstimulated, as indicated. Proteins were immunoprecipitated from detergent cell extracts with an antibody specific for Jak2 or Stat5, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and transferred to nitrocellulose. The filters were probed with antiphosphotyrosine antibody 4G10 and developed with chemiluminescent reagents.9 12 A computer-generated image of the region of the gel containing Jak2 (≈130 kD) or Stat5 (≈90 kD) is shown. Chemiluminescent signals were quantified on a lumi-imager and are expressed as a percentage of the level of Jak2 or Stat5 phosphorylation elicited by EPO stimulation of the WT receptor at 10 U/mL EPO (arbitrarily set to 100%). The levels of protein phosphorylation were normalized to the levels of immunoprecipitated Jak2 or Stat5 for each sample.

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. Dominant erythrocytosis and EPO hypersensitivity. (A) Pedigree of the Swedish family. (B) EPO-dependent proliferation in 32D cell lines. Cells expressing WT (•), mFin (▴), mSwed (▪), mFin+WT (▾), or mSwed+WT (⧫) were assayed for growth in EPO-containing medium. (C and D) EPO-dependent Jak2 and Stat5 activation in 32D cell lines. Cells were stimulated with EPO and Jak2 and Stat5 activation determined by immunoprecipitation and antiphosphotyrosine immunoblot assays. Methods: The inheritance pattern of familial erythrocytosis among members of a 5-generation family from southern Sweden was determined by clinical observation. In some cases the presence of the mutant EPOR allele was assayed by direct genomic sequencing or an allele-specific hybridization test. 32D cell lines were established as described.12 Cells were grown in media containing serial dilutions of EPO (from 10−4 to 10 U/mL), or in media containing interleukin-3 (IL-3). Viable cells were counted after 3 days. The number of cells in EPO cultures is expressed as a percentage of the cells present in IL-3 cultures (% IL-3 response). For Jak2 and Stat5 activity assays, 32D cells were stimulated for 10 minutes at 37°C with 0.2, 1.0, 2.0, or 10.0 U/mL EPO, or were left unstimulated, as indicated. Proteins were immunoprecipitated from detergent cell extracts with an antibody specific for Jak2 or Stat5, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and transferred to nitrocellulose. The filters were probed with antiphosphotyrosine antibody 4G10 and developed with chemiluminescent reagents.912 A computer-generated image of the region of the gel containing Jak2 (≈130 kD) or Stat5 (≈90 kD) is shown. Chemiluminescent signals were quantified on a lumi-imager and are expressed as a percentage of the level of Jak2 or Stat5 phosphorylation elicited by EPO stimulation of the WT receptor at 10 U/mL EPO (arbitrarily set to 100%). The levels of protein phosphorylation were normalized to the levels of immunoprecipitated Jak2 or Stat5 for each sample.
View largeDownload PPT
Fig. 1. Dominant erythrocytosis and EPO hypersensitivity. (A) Pedigree of the Swedish family. (B) EPO-dependent proliferation in 32D cell lines. Cells expressing WT (•), mFin (▴), mSwed (▪), mFin+WT (▾), or mSwed+WT (⧫) were assayed for growth in EPO-containing medium. (C and D) EPO-dependent Jak2 and Stat5 activation in 32D cell lines. Cells were stimulated with EPO and Jak2 and Stat5 activation determined by immunoprecipitation and antiphosphotyrosine immunoblot assays. Methods: The inheritance pattern of familial erythrocytosis among members of a 5-generation family from southern Sweden was determined by clinical observation. In some cases the presence of the mutant EPOR allele was assayed by direct genomic sequencing or an allele-specific hybridization test. 32D cell lines were established as described.12 Cells were grown in media containing serial dilutions of EPO (from 10−4 to 10 U/mL), or in media containing interleukin-3 (IL-3). Viable cells were counted after 3 days. The number of cells in EPO cultures is expressed as a percentage of the cells present in IL-3 cultures (% IL-3 response). For Jak2 and Stat5 activity assays, 32D cells were stimulated for 10 minutes at 37°C with 0.2, 1.0, 2.0, or 10.0 U/mL EPO, or were left unstimulated, as indicated. Proteins were immunoprecipitated from detergent cell extracts with an antibody specific for Jak2 or Stat5, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and transferred to nitrocellulose. The filters were probed with antiphosphotyrosine antibody 4G10 and developed with chemiluminescent reagents.912 A computer-generated image of the region of the gel containing Jak2 (≈130 kD) or Stat5 (≈90 kD) is shown. Chemiluminescent signals were quantified on a lumi-imager and are expressed as a percentage of the level of Jak2 or Stat5 phosphorylation elicited by EPO stimulation of the WT receptor at 10 U/mL EPO (arbitrarily set to 100%). The levels of protein phosphorylation were normalized to the levels of immunoprecipitated Jak2 or Stat5 for each sample.
View largeDownload PPT

Dominant erythrocytosis and EPO hypersensitivity. (A) Pedigree of the Swedish family. (B) EPO-dependent proliferation in 32D cell lines. Cells expressing WT (•), mFin (▴), mSwed (▪), mFin+WT (▾), or mSwed+WT (⧫) were assayed for growth in EPO-containing medium. (C and D) EPO-dependent Jak2 and Stat5 activation in 32D cell lines. Cells were stimulated with EPO and Jak2 and Stat5 activation determined by immunoprecipitation and antiphosphotyrosine immunoblot assays. Methods: The inheritance pattern of familial erythrocytosis among members of a 5-generation family from southern Sweden was determined by clinical observation. In some cases the presence of the mutant EPOR allele was assayed by direct genomic sequencing or an allele-specific hybridization test. 32D cell lines were established as described.12 Cells were grown in media containing serial dilutions of EPO (from 10−4 to 10 U/mL), or in media containing interleukin-3 (IL-3). Viable cells were counted after 3 days. The number of cells in EPO cultures is expressed as a percentage of the cells present in IL-3 cultures (% IL-3 response). For Jak2 and Stat5 activity assays, 32D cells were stimulated for 10 minutes at 37°C with 0.2, 1.0, 2.0, or 10.0 U/mL EPO, or were left unstimulated, as indicated. Proteins were immunoprecipitated from detergent cell extracts with an antibody specific for Jak2 or Stat5, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and transferred to nitrocellulose. The filters were probed with antiphosphotyrosine antibody 4G10 and developed with chemiluminescent reagents.9 12 A computer-generated image of the region of the gel containing Jak2 (≈130 kD) or Stat5 (≈90 kD) is shown. Chemiluminescent signals were quantified on a lumi-imager and are expressed as a percentage of the level of Jak2 or Stat5 phosphorylation elicited by EPO stimulation of the WT receptor at 10 U/mL EPO (arbitrarily set to 100%). The levels of protein phosphorylation were normalized to the levels of immunoprecipitated Jak2 or Stat5 for each sample.

Close modal
Table 1.

Hematological Findings in 20 Members of the Family

Subject Hgb g/L RBC × 1012/LHcrit% WBC × 109/LPlatelets × 109/L S-EPO mU/mLEPOR Mutation
Affected  
 II11  178  5.9  57 
 II12  ≈270  6.6   9.3  89  
 III15  ≈245 7.2  73  5.7  
 III16  ≈202  5.7  78  4.1 
 III17  195  6.0  55  4.2  137  4  + 
 III18  169  5.3  50  7.2  164  3  + 
 III19  160  6.7  51  3.6  209  7  + 
 IV7  172  5.5  50  9.7  116  6  +  
 IV8 178  5.6  52  7.4  140  3  +  
 IV11  173 5.2  51  7.9  215  4  +  
 V2  152 5.2  44    8  +  
Unaffected  
 II2  154 4.5  
 II10  134  
 IV9  149  4.7  43  5.2 186  12  −  
 IV10  139  4.6  40  7.4 212  6  −  
 IV12  126  4.2  38  6.2  259 19  −  
 IV13  158  5.2  46  7.1  298  9 −  
 V1  135  4.9  40    18  −  
 V3 125  4.4  36  7.5  446  13  −  
 V4  118 4.2  33  6.4  283  12  − 
Subject Hgb g/L RBC × 1012/LHcrit% WBC × 109/LPlatelets × 109/L S-EPO mU/mLEPOR Mutation
Affected  
 II11  178  5.9  57 
 II12  ≈270  6.6   9.3  89  
 III15  ≈245 7.2  73  5.7  
 III16  ≈202  5.7  78  4.1 
 III17  195  6.0  55  4.2  137  4  + 
 III18  169  5.3  50  7.2  164  3  + 
 III19  160  6.7  51  3.6  209  7  + 
 IV7  172  5.5  50  9.7  116  6  +  
 IV8 178  5.6  52  7.4  140  3  +  
 IV11  173 5.2  51  7.9  215  4  +  
 V2  152 5.2  44    8  +  
Unaffected  
 II2  154 4.5  
 II10  134  
 IV9  149  4.7  43  5.2 186  12  −  
 IV10  139  4.6  40  7.4 212  6  −  
 IV12  126  4.2  38  6.2  259 19  −  
 IV13  158  5.2  46  7.1  298  9 −  
 V1  135  4.9  40    18  −  
 V3 125  4.4  36  7.5  446  13  −  
 V4  118 4.2  33  6.4  283  12  − 

“Affected,” those with either clinical evidence of erythrocytosis or presence of an EPOR mutation or both. “Unaffected,” no clinical evidence of erythrocytosis or EPOR mutation. Normal hematological parameters are: hemoglobin (Hgb), males 122-166 g/L, females 113-153 g/L; red blood cell count (RBC), males 4.1-5.4 × 1012/L, females 3.7-4.9 × 1012/L; hematocrit (Hcrit), males 39% to 49%, females 37% to 44%; white blood cell count (WBC), 4.0-10.0 × 109/L; platelets, 125-340 × 109/L; S-EPO, 5-19 mU/mL.

View Large

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of erythrocytosis, the Swedish mutation and a previously described mutation from a Finnish family (6002G → A)1 2 were engineered in the murine EPOR (mSwed and mFin, respectively). Clonal 32D cell lines expressing these EPOR isoforms were established. To approximate EPOR expression patterns predicted for heterozygous individuals, clonal cell lines coexpressing wild-type (WT) and mutant EPORs were also established (data not shown). The mFin and mSwed EPORs rendered hypersensitive proliferative responses to EPO and dominantly enhanced the proliferative response of the WT EPOR (Fig 1B).

EPO hypersensitivity could be caused by differential receptor metabolism or altered signal transduction. Cell-surface receptor expression did not vary more than 2-fold, as judged by flow cytometry analysis, and the intracellular processing of newly synthesized WT, mFin, or mSwed was similar (data not shown). These results suggest that differential receptor metabolism is unlikely to be the sole cause of the observed EPO-hypersensitivity.

To examine EPOR signaling, we assayed EPO-dependent activation of Jak2 and Stat5 by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis.3-5 Cells expressing the mutant receptors alone or coexpressing mutant and WT EPORs had elevated levels of activated Jak2 and Stat5 at all EPO concentrations tested, relative to cells expressing the WT receptor alone (Fig 1C and D). Stat5 also demonstrated hypersensitivity to EPO, with half-maximal activation at ≈0.2 U/mL EPO in cells expressing mutant EPORs compared to 1.0 U/mL EPO in WT cells. Similar levels of Jak2 or Stat5 were present in all samples (data not shown).

Heterozygous individuals with FE are predicted to express both WT and mutant EPORs,1,6-8 although this has not yet been documented. Our study provides the first analysis of cells engineered to coexpress WT and FE EPOR isoforms. The results show that FE alleles confer dominant and hypersensitive EPO-dependent proliferation and activation of Jak2 and Stat5. The hypersensitive response may reflect mechanistic differences in Jak2 activation or inactivation by FE EPORs, compared with WT EPOR. For example, the mutant receptors may abrogate one or more negative-regulatory signals, such as SHP-1 or CIS,9-11 that normally suppress Jak2 activity, while still stimulating positive regulatory signals. Collectively, our results indicate that dominant FE is caused by enhanced receptor signaling because expression of a mutant allele in the heterozygous state is sufficient to unbalance WT signal transduction.

We thank Adriana Acurio, Hong Lu, and Melanie Wickert for excellent technical assistance; Karen Ramirez for flow cytometry analysis; Dr Joan Egrie (Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA) for the generous gift of recombinant EPO; and Dr Harvey F. Lodish for initiating this collaboration and for advice during the course of these studies.

Supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (CA-77447) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Advanced Research Program (15-120) (to S.S.W.), and by grants from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (CA-67941 and CA-16058) (to A.d.l.C.).

The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be hereby marked “advertisement” in accordance with 18 U.S.C. section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

1
de la Chapelle
 
A
Traskelin
 
A-L
Juvonen
 
E
Truncated erythropoietin receptor causes dominantly inherited benign human erythrocytosis.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
90
1993
4495
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
2
de la Chapelle
 
A
Sistonen
 
P
Lehvaslaiho
 
H
Ikkala
 
E
Juvonen
 
E
Familial erythrocytosis genetically linked to erythropoietin receptor gene.
Lancet
341
1993
82
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
3
Damen
 
JE
Wakao
 
H
Miyajima
 
A
Krosl
 
J
Humphries
 
RK
Cutler
 
RL
Krystal
 
G
Tyrosine 343 in the erythropoietin receptor positively regulates erythropoietin-induced cell proliferation and Stat5 activation.
EMBO J
14
1995
5557
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
4
Gobert
 
S
Chretien
 
S
Gouilleux
 
F
Muller
 
O
Pallard
 
C
Dusanter-Fourt
 
I
Groner
 
B
Lacombe
 
C
Gisselbrecht
 
S
Mayeux
 
P
Identification of tyrosine residues within the intracellular domain of the erythropoietin receptor crucial for Stat5 activation.
EMBO J
15
1996
2434
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
5
Witthuhn
 
BA
Quelle
 
FW
Silvennoinen
 
O
Yi
 
T
Tang
 
B
Miura
 
O
Ihle
 
JN
JAK2 associates with the erythropoietin receptor and is tyrosine phosphorylated and activated following stimulation with erythropoietin.
Cell
74
1993
227
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
6
Arcasoy
 
MO
Degar
 
BA
Harris
 
KW
Forget
 
BG
Familial erythrocytosis associated with a short deletion in the erythropoietin receptor gene.
Blood
89
1997
4628
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
7
Kralovics
 
R
Indrak
 
K
Stopka
 
T
Berman
 
BW
Prchal
 
JF
Prchal
 
JT
Two new EPO receptor mutations: truncated EPO receptors are most frequently associated with primary familial and congenital polycythemias.
Blood
90
1997
2057
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
8
Sokol
 
L
Luhovy
 
M
Guan
 
Y
Prchal
 
JF
Semenza
 
GL
Prchal
 
JT
Primary familial polycythemia: a frameshift mutation in the erythropoietin receptor gene and increased sensitivity of erythroid progenitors to erythropoietin.
Blood
86
1995
15
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
9
Klingmuller
 
U
Lorenz
 
U
Cantley
 
LC
Neel
 
BG
Lodish
 
HF
Specific recruitment of SH-PTP1 to the erythropoietin receptor causes inactivation of JAK2 and termination of proliferative signals.
Cell
80
1995
729
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
10
Matsumoto
 
A
Masuhara
 
M
Mitsui
 
K
Yokouchi
 
M
Ohtsubo
 
M
Misawa
 
H
Miyajima
 
A
Youshimura
 
A
CIS, a cytokine inducible SH2 protein, is a target of the JAK-STAT pathway and modulates STAT5 activation.
Blood
89
1997
3148
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
11
Yoshimura
 
A
Ohkubo
 
T
Kiguchi
 
T
Jenkins
 
NA
Gilbert
 
DJ
Copeland
 
NG
Hara
 
T
Miyajima
 
A
A novel cytokine-inducible gene CIS encodes an SH2-containing protein that binds to tyrosine-phosphorylated interleukin 3 and erythropoietin receptors.
EMBO J
14
1995
2816
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
12
Watowich
 
SS
Liu
 
KD
Xie
 
X
Lai
 
SY
Mikami
 
A
Longmore
 
GD
Goldsmith
 
MA
Oligomerization and scaffolding functions of the erythropoietin receptor cytoplasmic tail.
J Biol Chem
274
1999
5415
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 

Author notes

Address reprint requests to Stephanie S. Watowich, PhD, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Box 178, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030.

Copyright © 1999 The American Society of Hematology
1999
Sign in via your Institution