TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and erythropoiesis:: a role for PKCε

The regulation of the hematopoietic stem cell pool size and the processes of cell differentiation along the hematopoietic lineages involve apoptosis. Among the different factors with a recognized activity on blood progenitor cells, TRAIL a member of the TNF family of cytokines - has an emerging role in the modulation of normal hematopoiesis. PKC epsilon levels are regulated by EPO in differentiating erythroid progenitors and control the protection against the apoptogenic effect of TRAIL. EPO-incluced erythroid CD34 cells are insensitive to the apoptogenic effect of TRAIL between day 0 and day 3, due to the lack of specific surface receptors expression. Death receptors appear after day 3 of differentiation and consequently erythoid cells become sensitive to TRAIL up to day 9/10, when the EPO-driven up-regulation of PKC epsilon intracellular levels inhibits the TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, via Bcl-2. In the time interval between day 3 and 9, therefore, the number of erythroid progenitors can be limited by the presence of soluble or membrane-bound TRAIL present in the bone marrow microenvironment.