An epigenetically distinct HSC subset supports thymic reconstitution.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with multilineage potential are critical for effective T cell reconstitution and restoration of the adaptive immune system after allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (allo-HCT). The Kit subset of HSCs is enriched for multipotential precursors, but their T-cell lineage potential has not been well-characterized. We therefore studied the thymic reconstituting and T-cell potential of Kit HSCs. Using a preclinical allo-HCT model, we demonstrate that Kit HSCs support better thymic recovery, and T-cell reconstitution resulting in improved T cell responses to infection post-HCT. Furthermore, Kit HSCs with augmented BM lymphopoiesis mitigate age-associated thymic alterations, thus enhancing T-cell recovery in middle-aged hosts. We find the frequency of the Kit subset declines with age, providing one explanation for the reduced frequency of T-competent HSCs and reduced T-lymphopoietic potential in BM precursors of aged mice. Chromatin profiling revealed that Kit HSCs exhibit higher activity of lymphoid-specifying transcription factors (TFs), including . Deletion of in Kit HSCs diminished their T-cell potential, while reinstating in megakaryocytic-biased Kit HSCs rescued T-cell potential, and . Finally, we discover an analogous Kit HSC subset with enhanced lymphoid potential in human bone marrow. Our results demonstrate that Kit HSCs with enhanced lymphoid potential have a distinct underlying epigenetic program.