Analysis of Runx1 Using Induced Gene Ablation Reveals Its Essential Role in Pre-liver HSC Development and Limitations of an In Vivo Approach

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) develop in the embryonic aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) region and subsequently relocate to fetal liver. Runx1 transcription factor is essential for HSC development, but is largely dispensable for adult HSCs. Here, we studied tamoxifen-inducible Runx1 inactivation in vivo. Induction at pre-liver stages (up to embryonic day 10.5) reduced erythromyeloid progenitor numbers, but surprisingly did not block the appearance of Runx1-null HSCs in liver. By contrast, ex vivo analysis showed an absolute Runx1 dependency of HSC development in the AGM region. We found that, contrary to current beliefs, significant Cre-inducing tamoxifen activity persists in mouse blood for at least 72 hr after injection. This deferred recombination can hit healthy HSCs, which escaped early Runx1 ablation and result in appearance of Runx1-null HSCs in liver. Such extended recombination activity in vivo is a potential source of misinterpretation, particularly in analysis of dynamic developmental processes during embryogenesis.