The regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis.
The process of megakaryocytopoiesis begins with the commitment of a pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell to a differentiation pathway that culminates in the release of mature platelets into the circulation. A variety of megakaryocyte precursor cells have been identified after stem cell commitment has occurred and these may be recognized by their morphologic or immunophenotypic characteristics. Megakaryocytopoiesis is regulated by a number of cytokines with either stimulatory or inhibitory effects and by a variety of cell-cell interactions. Some factors potentiating platelet development promote the proliferation of megakaryocyte progenitor cells, while others result in their maturation. Thrombopoietin, a cytokine with specific megakaryocyte maturational activity recently has been identified as the c-Mpl ligand, and it will be evaluated as a therapeutic agent in the setting of thrombocytopenia due to impaired megakaryocytopoiesis.
Ellis
M H
MH
Division of Hematology/Oncology, New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Avraham
H
H
Groopman
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000502:physiology
D016207:Cytokines; D013926:Thrombopoietin