title: Cytoskeletal mechanics of proplatelet maturation and platelet release.
abstract: Megakaryocytes generate platelets by remodeling their cytoplasm into long proplatelet extensions, which serve as assembly lines for platelet production. Although the mechanics of proplatelet elongation have been studied, the terminal steps of proplatelet maturation and platelet release remain poorly understood. To elucidate this process, released proplatelets were isolated, and their conversion into individual platelets was assessed. This enabled us to (a) define and quantify the different stages in platelet maturation, (b) identify a new intermediate stage in platelet production, the preplatelet, (c) delineate the cytoskeletal mechanics involved in preplatelet/proplatelet interconversion, and (d) model proplatelet fission and platelet release. Preplatelets are anucleate discoid particles 2-10 µm across that have the capacity to convert reversibly into elongated proplatelets by twisting microtubule-based forces that can be visualized in proplatelets expressing GFP-β1-tubulin. The release of platelets from the ends of proplatelets occurs at an increasing rate in time during culture, as larger proplatelets undergo successive fission, and is potentiated by shear.
authors.affiliation: Translational Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Thon
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montalvo
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel-Hett
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Devine
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ehrlicher
authors.forename: Mark K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffmeister
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.forename: Joseph E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Italiano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; C069306:5-chloromethylfluorescein