AQP0 is a novel surface marker for deciphering abnormal erythropoiesis

BACKGROUND: Hematopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow, producing a complete spectrum of blood cells to maintain homeostasis. In addition to light microscopy, chromosome analysis, and polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry is a feasible and fast method for quantitatively analyzing hematological diseases. However, because sufficient specific cell markers are scarce, dyserythropoietic diseases are challenging to identify through flow cytometry. METHODS: Bone marrow samples from C57BL/B6 mice and one healthy donor were analyzed using traditional two-marker (CD71 and glycophorin A) flow cytometry analysis. After cell sorting, the gene expressions of membrane proteins in early and late erythropoiesis precursors and in nonerythroid cells were characterized using microarray analysis. RESULTS: Among characterized gene candidates, aquaporin 0 (AQP0) expressed as a surface protein in early- and late-stage erythropoiesis precursors and was not expressed on nonerythroid cells. With the help of AQP0 staining, we could define up to five stages of erythropoiesis in both mouse and human bone marrow using flow cytometry. In addition, because patients with dyserythropoiesis generally exhibited a reduced population of APQ0(high) cells relative to healthy participants, the analysis results also suggested that the levels of APQ0(high) cells in early erythropoiesis serve as a novel biomarker that distinguishes normal from dysregulated erythropoiesis. CONCLUSIONS: AQP0 was successfully demonstrated to be a marker of erythroid differentiation. The expression levels of AQP0 are downregulated in patients with dyserythropoiesis, indicating a critical role of AQP0 in erythropoiesis. Accordingly, the level of AQP0(high) in early erythroid precursor cells may serve as a reference parameter for diagnosing diseases associated with dyserythropoiesis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02343-4.