title: [Interferon-alpha directly inhibits thrombopoietin-induced megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the inhibitory effect of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation stimulated by thrombopoietin (Tpo).
  
  
  METHODS
  Normal murine megakaryocytes were prepared by three different cell purification procedures. Megakaryocyte development was studied by semi-solid and suspension cultures and assessed with megakaryocyte colony forming unit (CFU-MK), acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) as well as megakaryocyte count, diameter and DNA content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IFN-alpha prohibited CFU-MK formation and decreased AChE of megakaryocytes. The inhibitory effects were positively related to doses of IFN-alpha and could not be overcome by escalating exogenous Tpo or depriving accessory cells in bone marrow culture. IFN-alpha affected all aspects of megakaryocyte development, including decreases in megakaryocyte count, diameter and geometric mean polyploidy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IFN-alpha directly inhibits Tpo-induced megakaryocyte proliferation and differentiation in a dose-dependent manner.
authors.affiliation: Peking University Institute of Hematology & People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaushansky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D013926:Thrombopoietin