The potential role of thrombopoietin in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Thrombopoietin (TPO) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), as it does in other immune-mediated thrombocytopenias. Because TPO is bound and internalized by platelets, it is destroyed together with platelets at an accelerated rate in the macrophage system. Because the spleen acts as a TPO sink, compensation of the decreased platelet count by an increased production in the bone marrow is insufficient. This aspect of ITP, as well as the use of TPO in the treatment of ITP, will be the focus of this article.
von dem Borne
A
A
Department of Medicine, Clinical Hematology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.vondemborne@amc.uva.nl
Folman
C
C
van den Oudenrijn
S
S
Linthorst
G
G
de Jong
S
S
de Haas
M
M
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013926:Thrombopoietin