Mutant SRSF2-associated impaired erythropoiesis is defined by increased mTORC1 signaling due to FYN missplicing
Using mouse models and primary human samples, we investigated the impact of SRSF2 mutations on erythropoiesis. We found reduced erythropoiesis in Srsf2P95H versus wild-type mice upon stress-induced erythropoiesis and identified that SRSF2 mutations correlate with reduced hemoglobin in JAK2-mutant patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Consistent with this, Jak2V617F-Srsf2P95H versus Jak2V617F mice displayed reduced red blood cell counts and erythroid precursor frequencies. RNA-sequencing on erythroid precursors showed reduced expression of heme metabolism and mitotic spindle-related genes, and increased expression of mTORC1 signaling in Srsf2P95H versus wild-type cells. RNA splicing analyses on the same cells and on human patient samples identified aberrant FYN splicing in SRSF2mut cells, with increased aberrant FYNB over normal FYNT transcripts. FYNB, but not FYNT, expression resulted in reduced erythroid differentiation and increased phosphorylation of mTORC1 downstream target S6 kinase. Additionally, increased S6 phosphorylation was confirmed in primary Srsf2P95H erythroid cells. mTORC1 pathway inhibition using rapamycin normalized FYNB- and Srsf2P95H-induced impaired erythropoiesis and significantly increased erythroid colony formation of SRSF2-mutant myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) bone marrow cells. Our data reveal targetable molecular mechanisms of impaired erythropoiesis in SRSF2-mutant cells. Overall design: Mx1-Cre and Mx1-Cre Srsf2P95H/+ mice were subcutaneously injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or phenylhydrazine (PHZ, 30 mg/kg) on days 0 and 1, followed by sorting and RNA-sequencing of bone marrow-derived CFU-E cells on day 4.