Single-cell dissection of human hematopoietic reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective regenerative therapy for many malignant, inherited, or autoimmune diseases. However, our understanding of reconstituted hematopoiesis in transplant patients remains limited. Here, we uncover the reconstitution dynamics of human allogeneic hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) at single-cell resolution after transplantation. Transplanted HSPCs underwent rapid and measurable changes during the first 30 days after transplantation, characterized by a strong proliferative response on the first day. Transcriptomic analysis of HSPCs enabled us to observe that immunoregulatory neutrophil progenitors expressing high levels of the S100A gene family were enriched in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood stem cells. Transplant recipients who developed acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) infused fewer S100A high immunoregulatory neutrophil progenitors, immunophenotyped as Lin - CD34 + CD66b + CD177 + , than those who did not develop aGVHD. Therefore, our study provides insights into the regenerative process of transplanted HSPCs in human patients and identifies a potential criterion for identifying patients at high risk for developing aGVHD early after transplant.