title: Raised urinary calmodulin levels in idiopathic myelofibrosis: possible implications for the aetiology of fibrosis.
abstract: Platelet growth factors (e.g. PDGF and TGF-beta) are thought to be pathogenetically important in the stromal reaction characteristic of idiopathic myelofibrosis (IM). We have investigated a possible pathogenetic role for a further platelet mitogen, calmodulin. Platelets are rich in calmodulin, of which 30-40% is releasable with a time course that differs from alpha-granule proteins. In IM urinary calmodulin concentrations were 3-fold those of the normals controls. We suggest that an abnormal release of calmodulin may occur from platelets/megakaryocytes in patients with IM, and that calmodulin should be considered, along with other growth factors, in the pathogenesis of marrow fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Eastham
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mac Neil
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000652:urine*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D002147:Calmodulin; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D010978:Platelet Factor 4