title: The role of cytokines and transcription factors in megakaryocytopoiesis.
abstract: The role of cytokines and transcription factors on the regulation of megakaryocy topoiesis and platelet production are reviewed in this article. Megakaryocytopoiesis involves the proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytic pro genitor cells into immature megakaryocytes, and the differentiation of immature megakaryocytes to mature megakaryocytes which produce platelets. The former is regulated mainly by thrombopoietin (TPO) and to a lesser degree by other cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-3 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), the later by TPO and probably IL-6 and IL-11. A number of transcription factors have been implicated in the control of megakaryocyte differentiation. GATA-1, FOG-1 and Fli-1 are essential regulators in early- and mid-stages of megakaryocytopoiesis. NF-E2 regulates late-stage of megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production. However, the platelet release mechanism is poorly understood. Nitric oxide (NO) may act in the stage of platelet release through induction of apoptosis in megakaryocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. yang1019@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Mo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D050981:Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; D050982:GATA1 Transcription Factor; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000502:physiology; D050983:NF-E2 Transcription Factor; D050984:NF-E2 Transcription Factor, p45 Subunit; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D034061:Thrombopoiesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050981:Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; D050982:GATA1 Transcription Factor; C494688:GATA1 protein, human; D007378:Interleukins; D050983:NF-E2 Transcription Factor; D050984:NF-E2 Transcription Factor, p45 Subunit; C494692:NFE2 protein, human; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; D013926:Thrombopoietin