title: Spontaneous in vitro megakaryocyte colony formation in primary thrombocythemia: relation to platelet factor 4 plasma level and beta-thromboglobulin/platelet factor 4 ratio.
abstract: Seventeen patients with primary thrombocythemia (PT) were evaluated for in vitro bone marrow megakaryocyte progenitors (CFU-MK) using a plasma clot system. The aim of this study was to find out whether spontaneous growth of CFU-MK could be used in the diagnosis of PT. The number of CFU-MK was normal in 7 patients and reduced in 10 patients. In the absence of stimulating factor, CFU-MK grew spontaneously in 12 patients, while in 5 patients no spontaneous CFU-MK were observed. The mean plasma level of platelet factor 4 (PF4) was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in patients without spontaneous CFU-MK (59.8 +/- 59.6 IU/ml; mean +/- SD) compared to patients with (18.1 +/- 20.7 UI/ml). The mean plasma level of beta-thromboglobulin did not differ between patients with or without spontaneous CFU-MK. The beta-thromboglobulin/PF4 ratio was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in patients with spontaneous CFU-MK (9.9 +/- 7.1) compared to patients without (3.1 +/- 1.4). These results suggest that PF4 could inhibit in vitro spontaneous growth of CFU-MK.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Augustin Morvan Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Brest, France.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Abgrall
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berthou
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cauvin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Autrand
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Renard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Le Niger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guern
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Blouch
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sensebé
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brière
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000032:analysis; D013234:Stem Cells; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D010978:Platelet Factor 4