International Journal of Molecular Sciences (MDPI): Potential Relationship between Inadequate Response to DNA Damage and Development of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Published On: January 5, 2015
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Ting Zhou 1,2,Peishuai Chen 1,3,Jian Gu 3,Alexander J. R. Bishop 1,2,4,5,Linda M. Scott 6,Paul Hasty 4,5,7 and Vivienne I. Rebel 1,2,4,5,*

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are responsible for the continuous regeneration of all types of blood cells, including themselves. To ensure the functional and genomic integrity of blood tissue, a network of regulatory pathways tightly controls the proliferative status of HSCs. Nevertheless, normal HSC aging is associated with a noticeable decline in regenerative potential and possible changes in other functions. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is an age-associated hematopoietic malignancy, characterized by abnormal blood cell maturation and a high propensity for leukemic transformation. It is furthermore thought to originate in an HSC and to be associated with the accrual of multiple genetic and epigenetic aberrations. This raises the question of whether MDS is, in part, related to an inability to adequately cope with DNA damage. Here we discuss the various components of the cellular response to DNA damage. For each component, we evaluate related studies that may shed light on a potential relationship between MDS development and aberrant DNA damage response/repair.

Keywords: myelodysplastic syndrome; hematopoietic stem cells; DNA damage response/repair; aging

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