ISEH Highlights Women in Science

On March 8th every year, the achievements of women are celebrated worldwide in conjunction with International Women's Day. It highlights the contributions of women in all fields and promotes equal opportunities in research and academia. We reviewed recent publications in Experimental Hematology with a specific focus on contributions from female experts in the field. Here is a brief summary of some of the articles.

The special edition “Making blood: Mechanisms of early hematopoietic development” is edited by two leading experts in the field; Anna Bigas and Elaine Dzierzak¹. The area of developmental hematology has evolved enormously the last decades. The issue features outstanding reviews covering the latest research on the emerging blood system.  The review by Alina Sommer and Elisa Gomez Perdiguero focuses on extraembryonic hematopoiesis and its role in fetal development². The yolk sac is the first site of blood production in the embryo. It gives rise to transient hematopoietic cells, whereas definitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are formed intra-embryonically. Recent findings have shed new light into extraembryonic hematopoiesis, revealing that these blood cells persist longer than previously thought. These topics are extensively covered in the review. Intraembryonic hematopoiesis and the birth of HSCs are the focus of a review by Catherine Robin et al³. The formation of HSCs, their endothelial origin and the endothelial to hematopoietic transition is thoroughly covered with a focus on mice and zebrafish ontogeny. The role of live imaging technologies in these discoveries are highlighted. The issue also includes a beautiful cover artwork by Dr Dzierzak, illustrating the developmental clock (see below).

We would also like to draw your attention to two articles recently published on the topic of clonal hematopoiesis. The article by Kanaka Dhuri and Houda Alachkar investigates the genetic landscape of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) in 24 000 patients with non-hematologic cancer⁴. CHIP has drawn increasing attention as a factor in malignant as well as non-malignant conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. This study identified distinct genetic differences based on sex and race. DNMT3A mutations were for instance found more prevalent in females whereas ASXL1 prevailed in males. Differences related to race were also observed. The second article by Jennifer Trowbridge et al uses a cre-inducible Dnmt3a mutant model to study the role of Oncostatin M (OSM), a pro-inflammatory cytokine⁵. OSM signaling was found to increase in Dnmt3a-mutant HSCs with age and upon stimulation of young Dnmt3a-mutated HSCs, an increase in pro- as well as anti-inflammatory genes were seen (see graphical abstract below). Altogether, it underscores the interplay between aging, inflammation and the selective advantage of mutated HSCs in clonal hematopoiesis.

Let's celebrate International Women's Day by recognizing the significant contributions of women in science and medicine and together raise our voices for equality, diversity, and inclusion worldwide.

1. Dzierzak, E. & Bigas, A. Making blood: Mechanisms of early hematopoietic development. Exp Hematol 136, 104586 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exphem.2024.104586
2. Sommer, A. & Gomez Perdiguero, E. Extraembryonic hematopoietic lineages-to macrophages and beyond. Exp Hematol 136, 104285 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exphem.2024.104285
3. Weijts, B. & Robin, C. Capturing embryonic hematopoiesis in temporal and spatial dimensions. Exp Hematol 136, 104257 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exphem.2024.104257
4. Dhuri, K. & Alachkar, H. Differences in the mutational landscape of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential among races and between male and female patients with cancer. Exp Hematol 138, 104271 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exphem.2024.104271
5. Schwartz, L. S. et al. Transcriptional and functional consequences of Oncostatin M signaling on young Dnmt3a-mutant hematopoietic stem cells. Exp Hematol 130, 104131 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exphem.2023.11.005

Blog post contributed by Charlotta Böiers (@boierslab.bsky.social) of the ISEH Publications Committee. 

Please note that the statements made by Simply Blood authors are their own views and not necessarily the views of ISEH. ISEH disclaims any or all liability arising from any author's statements or materials.