Long-term Hematopoietic Transfer of the Anti-Cancer and Lifespan-Extending Capabilities of A Genetically Engineered Blood System by Transplantation of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells

Abstract A causal relationship exists among the aging process, organ decay and dis-function, and the occurrence of various diseases including cancer. A genetically engineered mouse model, termed Eklf K74R/K74R or Eklf (K74R), carrying mutation on the well-conserved sumoylation site of the hematopoietic transcription factor KLF1/ EKLF has been generated that possesses extended lifespan and healthy characteristics including cancer resistance. We show that the healthy longevity characteristics of the Eklf (K74R) mice, as exemplified by their higher anti-cancer capability, are likely gender-, age- and genetic background-independent. Significantly, the anti-cancer capability, in particular that against melanoma as well as hepatocellular carcinoma, and lifespan-extending property of Eklf (K74R) mice could be transferred to wild-type mice via transplantation of their bone marrow mononuclear cells at young age of the latter. Furthermore, NK(K74R) cells carry higher in vitro cancer cell-killing ability than wild type NK cells. Targeted/global gene expression profiling analysis has identified changes of the expression of specific proteins, including the immune checkpoint factors PD-1 and PD-L1, and cellular pathways in the leukocytes of the Eklf (K74R) that are in the directions of anti-cancer and/or anti-aging. This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing a transferable hematopoietic/ blood system for long-term anti-cancer and, potentially, for anti-aging.