Ascorbate depletion increases quiescence and self-renewal potential in hematopoietic stem cells and multipotent progenitors

Ascorbate (vitamin C) limits hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function and suppresses leukemia development by promoting the function of the Tet2 tumor suppressor. In this study, we show that deletion of the Slc23a2 ascorbate transporter increased HSC and multipotent progenitor (MPP) reconstituting and self-renewal potential. Slc23a2 deficiency conferred long-term self-renewal potential to MPPs.