Mutant IDH1 blocks neutropoiesis by repressing myeloid progenitor programs [ATAC-seq]

However, the distinct mechanisms by which mutant IDH1 or IDH2 drive hematopoietic neoplasms remain poorly understood. Here, we analyzed DNA methylation in IDH1- and IDH2-mutant AML and found neutrophil lineage-specific epigenetic alterations in IDH1-mutant cases that went along with severely impaired neutrophil differentiation.

Transcriptional analysis of normal hematopoiesis in humans and mice revealed a strong physiological upregulation of IDH1/Idh1 in myeloid progenitors. To study the functional effects of Idh1 mutations on hematopoiesis in a pre-leukemic setting, we used a genetically engineered inducible mouse model expressing a heterozygous Idh1 mutation under control of the endogenous promotor. Our study revealed a cell-intrinsic block in neutrophil differentiation caused by repression of myeloid transcription programs in neutrophil progenitors.