Targeting TPO/MPL Signaling to Mitigate JAK2V617F-driven Cardiac Microvascular Disease

Background

Individuals with JAK2V617F -mutant myeloproliferative neoplasms or clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential have a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, yet the mechanisms by which mutant blood cells drive vascular and cardiac dysfunction remain incompletely understood. Although the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor MPL is central to hematopoiesis and is expressed in vascular endothelial cells (ECs), its role in JAK2V617F-associated cardiovascular complications is unknown.

Methods and Results

We generated chimeric mice with JAK2V617F -mutant blood cells and wild-type endothelium by bone marrow transplantation and challenged them with a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet to model cardiometabolic stress. These mice developed a distinct cardiovascular phenotype characterized by microvascular disease, increased left ventricular mass, and relatively preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Histological analysis revealed coronary arteriole stenosis, perivascular fibrosis, reduced microvascular density, and endocardial injury, without evidence of epicardial coronary stenosis or myocardium infarction.

Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed activation of inflammatory, stress-response, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition gene signatures in ECs, most prominently within the endocardial ECs. Immunohistochemistry identified MPL expression predominantly in endocardial ECs. TPO/MPL signaling was upregulated in endocardial ECs in mice with JAK2V617F -mutant hematopoiesis, and treatment with an anti-MPL neutralizing antibody markedly improved cardiac pathology, restored endocardial integrity, and increased coronary microvascular density despite persistent systemic inflammation.

Conclusions

JAK2V617F -mutant hematopoiesis induces coronary microvascular dysfunction. Endocardial ECs represent a key cellular target under cardiometabolic stress, and endocardial MPL signaling constitutes a potential targetable pathway in JAK2V617F-associated cardiovascular disease.

Graphic Abstract

Key Points

• JAK2V617F-mutant hematopoiesis induces cardiac microvascular disease

• MPL is expressed in endocardial ECs and MPL inhibition restores endocardial integrity and improves cardiac microvascular function