Hematopoietic stem cell-restricted Cdx2 expression induces transformation to myelodysplasia and acute leukemia [RNASeq_Cdx2_secondaryAML]

The caudal-related homeobox transcription factor CDX2 is ectopically expressed in the majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We generated an inducible transgenic mouse model whereby Cdx2 was specifically activated in HSCs . Cdx2 mice developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with progression to acute leukemia associated with stepwise acquisition of additional driver mutations. Scl-CreERT BM cells or Scl:Cdx2 leukemic BM cells (CD45.2) were transplanted into lethally irradiated wild-type recipients (CD45.1). Once engraftment/leukemia was established, BM LKS+ CD45.2+ (mCherry+ for Scl:Cdx2) cells were sorted for RNA extraction.