N-cadherin in osteolineage cells is not required for maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells

There is evidence suggesting that N-cadherin expression on osteoblast lineage cells regulates hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function and quiescence. To test this hypothesis, we conditionally deleted N-cadherin (Cdh2) in osteoblasts using Cdh2(flox/flox) Osx-Cre mice. N-cadherin expression was efficiently ablated in osteoblast lineage cells as assessed by mRNA expression and immunostaining of bone sections. Basal hematopoiesis is normal in these mice. In particular, HSC number, cell cycle status, long-term repopulating activity, and self-renewal capacity were normal. Moreover, engraftment of wild-type cells into N-cadherin-deleted recipients was normal. Finally, these mice responded normally to G-CSF, a stimulus that mobilizes HSCs by inducing alterations to the stromal micro-environment. In conclusion, N-cadherin expression in osteoblast lineage cells is dispensable for HSC maintenance in mice.