CK2α deletion in the hematopoietic compartment leads to mild alterations in terminally differentiated cells and expansion of stem cells

Vav-iCreCK2α f/f were viable without dysmorphic features and showed a mild phenotype under baseline conditions. Vav-iCreCK2α f/f blood count showed a significant decrease in total red blood cells and platelets. Spleen was enlarged in Vav-iCreCK2α f/f mice with evidence of extramedullary hematopoiesis.

HSC and early progenitor cell compartments showed expansion in CK2α null bone marrow, suggesting that the absence of CK2α impaired their proliferation and differentiation. Given the established roles of CK2 in cell cycle regulation and findings reported here, further functional studies to investigate the role of CK2α in HSC self-renewal and differentiation are warranted. This mouse model serves as a valuable tool for understanding the role of CK2α in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.