Bone marrow stromal cells produce thrombopoietin and stimulate megakaryocyte growth and maturation but suppress proplatelet formation

Production of blood cells is regulated by the interplay of various cytokines and bone marrow stromal cells. Recently, a ligand for the orphan receptor Mpl was identified as thrombopoietin (TPO), which specifically regulates megakaryocyte differentiation, and it was reported to be expressed mainly in liver and kidney. As it was found that thrombopoietin is also produced in bone marrow stromal cells, we studied further the roles of bone marrow stromal cells on megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet formation. The stromal cells stimulated growth and maturation of bone-marrow-derived megakaryocytes in the presence of thrombopoietin, and also supported growth of BaF3 cells expressing exogenous Mpl without thrombopoietin. Thrombopoietin induces drastic morphological change of megakaryocytes in bone marrow cells in vitro, ie, the formation of lengthy beaded cytoplasmic processes (proplatelet formation). However, when the purified megakaryocytes were cocultured with the stromal cells with or without thrombopoietin, most of the megakaryocytes adhered to the stromal cells and remained unchanged, while free megakaryocytes induced proplatelet formation. These observations indicated that the stromal cells in a hematopoietic microenvironment in bone marrow secrete thrombopoietin and stimulate proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes, but the interaction of megakaryocytes with the stromal cells may suppress proplatelet formation.     

Interleukin 3 directly stimulates both megakaryocyte progenitor cells and immature megakaryocytes.

A subset of stem cell antigen (sca-1)-positive mouse megakaryocyte progenitors was identified that correlates with other primitive precursors in bone marrow. The responsive bone marrow cells were obtained by depleting the marrow of cells bearing defined lineage markers (neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphoid cells) and enriched for primitive myeloid progenitor cells with high proliferative potential, selecting for cells expressing sca-1. The sca-1-positive megakaryocyte progenitors formed colonies in the presence of interleukin 3 (IL-3) alone. Immature megakaryocytes depleted of mature megakaryocytes and of cells expressing myeloid and lymphoid lineage markers were also responsive to IL-3. These data indicate that in the presence of high doses of IL-3, accessory cells are not obligatory for growth factor stimulation of megakaryocytopoiesis in vitro.     

Marrow cell uptake by megakaryocytes in routine bone marrow smears during blood loss.

In studying smears of marrow aspirates, we have encountered the presence of normal appearing haemopoietic cells within megakaryocytes. We have then searched routine marrow smears from 125 patients seen in our service during 3 years. The presence of marrow cells (granulocytic, erythroid, and lymphoid cells) within megakaryocytes was seen in 16 cases of whom 9 had documented bleeding and 5 had carcinoma. 3 patients were suspected of bleeding but this was not documented. 56% of patients with bleeding and 83% of patients with carcinoma seen during this period displayed this pehnomenon. A search for this phenomenon in routine marrow smears may reveal unsuspected blood loss.     

Marrow Cell Uptake by Megakaryocytes in Routine Bone Marrow Smears during Blood Loss

In studying smears of marrow aspirates, we have encountered the presence of normal appearing haemopoietic cells within megakaryocytes. We have then searched routine marrow smears from 125 patients seen in our service during 3 years. The presence of marrow cells (granulocytic, erythroid, and lymphoid cells) within megakaryocytes was seen in 16 cases of whom 9 had documented bleeding and 5 had carcinoma. 3 patients were suspected of bleeding but this was not documented. 56 % of patients with bleeding and 83 % of patients with carcinoma seen during this period displayed this phenomenon. A search for this phenomenon in routine marrow smears may reveal unsuspected blood loss.     

Interaction of human bone marrow fibroblasts with megakaryocytes: role of the c-kit ligand.

Human kit ligand (KL), also known as stem cell factor (SCF), steel factor, or mast cell growth factor, is a recently identified hematopoietic growth factor whose receptor is the product of the c-kit proto-oncogene. Alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA of KL/SCF results in secreted and membrane-bound forms of the protein. We and others have recently shown that the c-kit gene product is expressed on human megakaryocytes and that soluble KL/SCF in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-3 (IL-3), or IL-6 increased megakaryocyte progenitor colony formation (CFU-MEG) and stimulated mature megakaryocytes. Here we show that adhesion of human megakaryocytes to bone marrow stromal fibroblasts, which express the membrane-bound form of KL/SCF (mKL/SCF), is mediated in part by the interaction between mKL/SCF and the c-kit protein. This interaction also results in marrow fibroblast-stimulated proliferation but not an increase in ploidy of megakaryocytes; when the two cell types were separated by a transoluble membrane, proliferation did not occur. Adhesion and proliferation of human megakaryocytes to an immortalized murine stromal cell line SI/SI lacking the KL/SCF gene was impaired, whereas transfection of SI/SI cells with human mKL/SCF significantly increased both adhesion and proliferation. Marrow stromal fibroblast mKL/SCF may serve both as an adhesion structure and as a growth-potentiating factor for megakaryocytes in the bone marrow.     

Fluorescence cytophotometric analysis of megakaryocytic ploidy in culture: studies of normal and thrombocytopenic mice

A system for the accurate and rapid measurement of the ploidy of cultured megakaryocytes derived from megakaryocytic colony-forming cells (CFU-M) has been developed. Thirty thousand murine marrow cells per milliliter were cultured for varying time periods in agar in the presence of horse serum and pokeweed mitogen-stimulated spleen cell-conditioned medium (PWM-SCM). To ensure the inclusion of all the megakaryocytic cells in the analysis, entire agar discs were transferred onto glass slides and dried. Cells of the megakaryocytic lineage were identified by staining for acetylcholinesterase (AchE) for two hours. Subsequently, the nuclei of the cells were stained using 1.7 X 10(-5) mol/L chromomycin A3, a specific DNA-binding fluorochrome. Megakaryocytic colonies (greater than or equal to 2 AchE+ cells) were located under transmission light. The fluorescence emission of each cell of the colony was then measured by a photometer interfaced with a computer. The mean fluorescence emission of about 20 random granulocytes per slide was used as a 2N standard. There was no significant cell loss, quenching of fluorescence by AchE staining, or overlapping of colonies or cells. Approximately 100 megakaryocytes per hour could be analyzed. Modal ploidy of cultured megakaryocytes increased from 2N to 32N between days 3 and 6 in culture. Varying concentrations of PWM-SCM from 5% to 20% did not affect the ploidy distribution when examined at day 5. The heterogeneity of the ploidy of cells within colonies increased continuously with increasing cell numbers per colony. Clonal analyses of mean ploidy and ploidy heterogeneity did not show distinct types or classes of colonies; rather, the data show that megakaryocytic colonies are structured as a continuum. An inverse correlation was found between the number of cells constituting the colonies and their mean DNA content. To determine if short-term in vivo exposure of CFU-M to a thrombocytopenic environment could affect the ploidy of their progeny, mice were given rabbit antimouse-platelet serum while control animals were given normal rabbit serum. Twenty-four hours after injection, marrow derived from these animals was cultured. At day 5, the ploidy distributions and ploidy heterogeneity were identical in both treated and control groups. Thus, factor(s) that promote CFU-M proliferation do not affect megakaryocytic endoreduplication, while stimuli that acutely influence megakaryocytic ploidy in vivo do not determine the ultimate ploidy potential of megakaryocytes derived from a CFU-M.     

Culture of isolated bovine megakaryocytes on reconstituted basement membrane matrix leads to proplatelet process formation

We have enriched for bovine megakaryocytes and identified a culture system that may provide an in vitro model for platelet formation. Mature megakaryocytes with an unusually high ploidy distribution were obtained after differential centrifugation and velocity sedimentation of bone marrow cells through gradients of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The cell membranes of isolated megakaryocytes and megakaryocytes in vivo stained with antisera to human platelets and human platelet membrane GPIIIa. The microenvironment of bovine megakaryocytes in vivo was investigated using antibodies to types I and IV collagen and laminin. In an attempt to duplicate the microenvironment in vitro, bovine megakaryocytes were cultured on a reconstituted basement membrane matrix (Matrigel). The cells adhered to the gel, extended radial lamellipodia, and occasionally formed lengthy pseudopodia. Ultrastructural examination of these cells showed widening and coalescence of the megakaryocyte demarcation membranes (DMS), and inclusion of platelet granules, thin filaments, and microtubules in the processes. Very few DMS vesicles were present distally in the processes. The culture of megakaryocytes on a reconstituted basement membrane may closely model the in vivo megakaryocyte microenvironment and allow the study of thrombocytopoiesis in vitro.     

Megakaryocytes derived from embryonic stem cells implicate CalDAG-GEFI in integrin signaling

Fibrinogen binding to integrin alphaIIbbeta3 mediates platelet aggregation and requires agonist-induced "inside-out" signals that increase alphaIIbbeta3 affinity. Agonist regulation of alphaIIbbeta3 also takes place in megakaryocytes, the bone marrow cells from which platelets are derived. To facilitate mechanistic studies of inside-out signaling, we describe here the generation of megakaryocytes in quantity from murine embryonic stem (ES) cells. Coculture of ES cells for 8-12 days with OP9 stromal cells in the presence of thrombopoietin, IL-6, and IL-11 resulted in the development of large, polyploid megakaryocytes that produced proplatelets. These cells expressed alphaIIbbeta3 and platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha but were devoid of hematopoietic stem cell, erythrocyte, and leukocyte markers. Mature megakaryocytes, but not megakaryocyte progenitors, specifically bound fibrinogen by way of alphaIIbbeta3 in response to platelet agonists. Retrovirus-mediated expression of the reporter gene, green fluorescent protein, in ES cell-derived megakaryocytes did not affect viability or alphaIIbbeta3 function. On the other hand, retroviral expression of CalDAG-GEFI, a Rap1 exchange factor identified by megakaryocyte gene profiling as a candidate integrin regulator, enhanced agonist-induced activation of Rap1b and fibrinogen binding to alphaIIbbeta3 (P < 0.01). These results establish that ES cells are a ready source of mature megakaryocytes for integrin studies and other biological applications, and they implicate CalDAG-GEFI in inside-out signaling to alphaIIbbeta3.     

Bone marrow histopathology and biological markers as specific clues to the differential diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera and prefibrotic or fibrotic agnogenic myeloid metaplasia

Clinical, hematological and morphological peripheral blood and bone marrow characteristics, in particular, megakaryopoiesis and bone marrow cellularity, reveal diagnostic clues and pathognomonic features, which enable a clear-cut distinction between essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV) and prefibrotic and fibrotic agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM). The characteristic increase of enlarged mature megakaryocytes with mature cytoplasm and multilobulated nuclei and their tendency to cluster in a normal or slightly increased cellular bone marrow represent the hallmark of ET. The characteristic increase and clustering of enlarged mature and pleiomorphic megakaryocytes with multilobulated nuclei and proliferation of erythropoiesis in a moderate to marked hypercellular bone marrow with hyperplasia of dilated sinuses are the specific diagnostic features of untreated PV. ET may precede PV for many years to more than one decade. Prefibrotic and fibrotic AMM appears to be a distinct dual proliferation of abnormal megakaryopoiesis and myelopoiesis. The histopathology of the bone marrow in prefibrotic and fibrotic AMM is dominated by atypical enlarged and immature megakaryocytes with cloud-like immature nuclei, which are not seen in ET and PV at diagnosis and during follow-up. Myelofibrosis is not a feature of ET at diagnosis and during long-term follow-up. Myelofibrosis, which is secondary to the megakaryocytic/granulocytic myeloproliferation, and extramedullary myeloid metaplasia constitute a prominent feature and usually progress more or less rapidly during the natural history of PV and AMM. Life expectancy is normal in ET, normal in the first and decreased in the second decade of follow-up in PV, but significantly shortened in thrombocythemia associated with prefibrotic AMM as well as in the various fibrotic stages of AMM. These clinical and pathological characteristics of the Ph-negative MPDs, by including bone marrow histopathology, enable a clear-cut distinction between ET, PV and prefibrotic and fibrotic AMM. The use of established and new biological markers of MPDs, like spontaneous EEC, PRV-1 gene expression etc, should be validated in large prospective multicenter studies of newly diagnosed and previously treated MPD patients using the proposed European clinical and pathological (ECP) criteria as the only gold standard available for the proper diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ET, PV and AMM.     

Human megakaryocytes. III. Characterization in myeloproliferative disorders

Abnormal proliferation of the megakaryocytic line was observed in the marrow tissue from patients with myeloproliferative disorders. Megakaryocytes were identified by immunofluorescence using distinct platelet protein markers. Plasma factor VIII antigen (factor VIII:AGN) and platelet glycoproteins IIb and IIIa were detected in normal mature and early megakaryocytes, as well as in a morphologically heterogeneous population of low density marrow cells regarded as atypical megakaryocytes. Atypical megakaryocytes were defined as oval/round 14- 35-micron diameter blast-like mononuclear/multinucleated cells bearing platelet protein markers with distinct morphological features, including cytoplasmic vacuolation, variable nuclear/cytoplasmic ratios, and variable cytoplasmic granulation. Atypical megakaryocytes were observed in most chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients and in two patients with polycythemia vera, representing between 60 and 1,840 cells/10(4) cells (less than 1.050 g Percoll/cu cm). No atypical megakaryocytes were found in (a) 20 normal controls, (b) two patients with essential thrombocythemia, (c) a patient with thrombocytosis secondary to acute bleeding, and (d) in two patients with CML. Atypical megakaryocytes appear to represent a single-cell population, as demonstrated by a series of double immunofluorescence assays using combinations of five different antiplatelet protein sera. There was a statistically significant correlation between the frequency of atypical megakaryocytes and the presence of immature forms of myeloid cells in blood. Analyses of Fc IgG receptors conducted with two different immunofluorescence systems have demonstrated that phenotypic similarities existed between atypical megakaryocytes and myeloproliferative platelet proteins and differentiation markers on megakaryocytes are useful in elucidating the pathophysiologic alterations occurring in the megakaryocytic compartment in patients with myeloproliferative disorders.     

Internalization of human immunodeficiency virus type I and other retroviruses by megakaryocytes and platelets

Direct infection of megakaryocytes and platelets by human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) or other retroviruses has not been demonstrated. To determine whether this could occur, murine bone marrow was co-cultivated with the amphotropic retrovirus-producing cell line PA317-N2, and freshly isolated normal human bone marrow and platelets were co-cultivated with HIV-infected H9 cells. In each case, ultrastructural analyses showed viruses within megakaryocytes and platelets. In murine specimens, the uptake of retrovirus was avid at all stages of differentiation. In human specimens, viral uptake was less frequent. These results suggest that direct infection of megakaryocytes could play a role in the pathophysiology of HIV-associated disease. In addition, these observations suggest that cells of the megakaryocyte lineage could serve as target cells in gene transfer experiments using retroviral-based vectors.     

Effect of vanadate on intracellular distribution and function of 10-nm filaments

Earlier reports from this laboratory suggested that 10-nm filaments and microtubules act together in the movement and positioning of nuclei and centrioles. Sodium vanadate has been found to alter the distribution of 10-nm filaments and separate them from microtubules in virus-induced syncytia and uninfected cells. Accompanying this change in cytoskeletal elements in an alteration in the distribution of nuclei, centrioles, and other organelles. Nuclei in vanadate-treated syncytia were found in a circle or horseshoe arrangement, and 10-nm filaments were aggregated within the circle, whereas microtubules, were found in a network throughout the cytoplasm. Vanadate also caused a perinuclear aggregation of 10-nm filaments in single uninfected cells, whereas microtubules were throughout the cytoplasm, as in syncytia. Centrioles, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes were scattered in the perinuclear area, with mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum frequently closely associated, whereas the peripheral region of vanadate-treated cells contained ribosomes, microfilament bundles, and microtubules, but not 10-nm filaments. Vanadate limited virus-induced fusion of cells to polykaryocytes with 5--20 nuclei, in contrast to the massive syncytia found in untreated cells. These results indicate that vanadate separates 10-nm filaments and microtubules topologically and functionally, and support previous evidence that 10-nm filaments and microtubules act together in the movement and positioning of nuclei and other organelles.     

Immunomagnetic bead isolation of megakaryocytes from guinea-pig bone marrow: effect of recombinant interleukin-6 on size, ploidy and cytoplasmic fragmentation

Guinea-pig bone marrow megakaryocytes were isolated using an antibody to platelet glycoprotein Ib and a second antibody conjugated to magnetic beads. The procedure yielded an average of 644,800 megakaryocytes from two guinea-pigs with an average viability of 83%. All of the platelet glycoprotein Ib positive cells also expressed the platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex. The size and ploidy of megakaryocytes isolated by this technique were analysed in the presence of 10 ng/ml of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Without IL-6 megakaryocyte size increased significantly after 24 h, but an even larger increase in size occurred in the presence of IL-6. The modal ploidy class was 16N with an average of 19% 2N, 2.6% 4N, 16.4% 8N, 50.8% 16N and 11.1% 32N cells as determined by flow cytometry. Measurements made by microspectrophotometry were in close agreement. After 24 h incubation there was a significant rise in the percentage of 2N and 32N cells. The ploidy distribution after 24 h with IL-6 was the same as the control. Megakaryocytes cultured in the absence of serum on collagen gels did not form pseudopods and fragment, as occurs with serum (Leven et al, 1987). Addition of IL-6 to the serum-free cultures caused megakaryocytes to form extensive proplatelet extensions. We conclude that large numbers of pure guinea-pig bone marrow megakaryocytes can be isolated by immunomagnetic bead selection, including low ploidy immature megakaryocytes. Spontaneous maturation occurred as evidenced by the increase in megakaryocyte size and ploidy. IL-6 altered megakaryocyte size and morphology but not ploidy, indicating that these different characteristics of megakaryocytes may be regulated separately.     

Different intermediate-sized filaments distinguished by immunofluorescence microscopy.

The major protein of intermediate-sized filaments in mouse 3T3 cells, for which the name vimentin is proposed, has a molecular weight of 57,000. Antibodies against vimentin and antibodies against prekeratin have been used in parallel in immunofluorescence microscopy on a variety of cultured cells as well as on frozen tissue sections. Both antibodies decorate extended wavy arrays of filaments that are different from microfilaments and microtubules. Intermediate filament bundles decorated by antibodies against prekeratin are predominant in many epithelial cells, including epithelia-derived tumor cells, and are not decorated by antibodies to vimentin. In contrast, intermediate filaments decorated by antibodies against vimentin are widespread among nonmuscle cells of mesenchymal origin, including transformed cells, and also occur in other cells. Perinuclear whorls of aggregates of intermediate filaments induced by prolonged treatment with Colcemid generally show strong decoration with antibodies against vimentin. No significant reaction with either antiserum has been observed in muscle structures or in brain nerve tissue. These observations show that intermediate filaments with similar ultrastructure and solubility characteristics can be distinguished immunologically.     

Antiapoptotic protein Bcl-x(L) is up-regulated during megakaryocytic differentiation of CD34(+) progenitors but is absent from senescent megakaryocytes

OBJECTIVE: The expression of Bcl-x(L) has been shown to be regulated during the maturation process of different hematopoietic cell lineages (i.e., erythroid cells, neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages). In the present study, we examined the expression of Bcl-x(L) in megakaryocytes derived from CD34(+) progenitors and in the megakaryoblastic cell line UT7. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of Bcl-x(L) was analyzed in CD41(+) cells cultured in the presence of thrombopoietin and in UT7 cells treated with phorbol diester by Western blot, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry analysis. Apoptosis was determined at different culture times by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling and propidium iodide uptake. RESULTS: Bcl-x(L) but not Bcl-2 was up-regulated in the megakaryocytic population (CD41(+)) during the first 15 days of culture, which was consistent with the pattern of Bcl-x(L) expression in UT7 cells differentiated to megakaryocytes by incubation with phorbol diester. However, by day 20 of culture, the levels of Bcl-x(L) in CD41(+) cells were greatly reduced, and this expression pattern was accompanied by an increase in the number of apoptotic cells. At this culture time, we detected the presence of cytoplasmic fragments resembling proplatelets with prominent Bcl-x immunostaining, most likely due to the Bcl-x(L) isoform, in close proximity to Bcl-x(-) senescent megakaryocytes. The presence of Bcl-x(L) but not of Bcl-2 in platelets was confirmed by Western blot analysis. CONCLUSION: Although little is known regarding the functional significance of survival proteins within the megakaryocytic compartment, the changes in the Bcl-x(L) expression pattern observed in UT7 and CD41(+) cells may play a role in the survival of developing megakaryocytes and the lifespan of mature platelets.     

Cord blood megakaryocytes do not complete maturation, as indicated by impaired establishment of endomitosis and low expression of G1/S cyclins upon thrombopoietin-induced differentiation

Cord blood (CB) has successfully been used as a stem cell source for haemopoietic reconstitution. However, a significant delay in platelet engraftment is consistently found in CB versus adult peripheral blood (PB) or bone marrow transplants. We sought to determine whether or not CB megakaryocytes have reached terminal maturation and, hence, full thrombopoietic potential. A comparative analysis of megakaryocytes cultured from either CB or PB progenitors in the presence of thrombopoietin (TPO) showed a similar differentiation response, although proliferation was 2.4 times higher in CB than in PB cells. Importantly, the TPO-induced ploidy level was notably different: whereas 82.7% of CB megakaryocytes remained diploid (2N) at the end of the culture, more than 50% of PB megakaryocytes had reached a DNA content equal to or higher than 4N. Western blot and flow cytometry analyses revealed that only polyploid PB megakaryocytes expressed cyclins E, A and B, whereas cyclin D3 was detected in both fetal and adult megakaryocytic nuclei. These data suggest that establishment of endomitotic cycles is impaired in CB megakaryocytes, associated with a differential regulation of G1/S cell cycle factors. We believe that the relative immaturity of fetal megakaryocytes could be a contributing factor to the delayed platelet engraftment in cord blood transplantation.     

Criteria for the diagnosis of acute leukemia of megakaryocyte lineage (M7). A report of the French-American-British Cooperative Group

For the diagnosis of M7, the bone marrow aspirate shows a leukemic cell infiltrate that comprises 30% or more of all cells. These cells are identified as being of megakaryocyte lineage by the platelet peroxidase reaction on electron microscopy or by tests with monoclonal or polyclonal platelet-specific antibodies. Myelofibrosis or increased bone marrow reticulin are a prominent aspect in most patients with M7. In patients with increased reticulin, the bone marrow sample may be difficult to obtain and the counts done on the marrow films may be misleading. In these patients, the diagnosis of M7 should be based on excellent bone marrow biopsy sections that show an excess of blasts and, at times, increased numbers of maturing megakaryocytes; and on the presence of unequivocal megakaryoblasts in the peripheral blood or bone marrow (or both) as shown by immunologic techniques.     

The effects of low-dose vincristine on megakaryocyte colony-forming cells and megakaryocyte ploidy

S ummary. The administration of low-dose vincristine (VCR) (0.1 mg/kg) to mice resulted in thrombocytosis without prior thrombocytopenia. No significant changes in marrow megakaryocyte numbers were found. However, after a minor early decrease, mean megakaryocyte ploidy increased, with a peak at 3 d. The number of megakaryocyte colony-forming cells (MEG-CFC) in bone marrow did not change significantly. In contrast with the effects on marrow, the concentration of megakaryocytes and the content of MEG-CFC in the spleen were significantly reduced for 1–2 d after VCR. This reduction was followed by a compensatory rise in the splenic content of MEG-CFC (peak 3-fold increase at 3 d), and 1–2 d later, an increase in splenic megakaryocytes which was concurrent with the increased platelet count. Culture of marrow and spleen cells in the presence of VCR resulted in inhibition of megakaryocyte colony formation at concentrations > 5 ng/ml and parallel reduction of the number of megakaryocytes per colony and the mean ploidy of colony megakaryocytes.
The results suggest that the thrombocytosis induced by low-dose VCR does not result simply from an effect on platelets, but reflects compensatory changes in megakaryopoiesis secondary to toxic suppression of megakaryocytes and their progenitors.     

Regulation of megakaryopoiesis in long-term murine bone marrow cultures

Megakaryocytes and their precursor cells were sustained in mouse bone marrow suspension cultures for over 4-6 wk. Megakaryocyte precursor cells were detected by their capacity to form colonies of megakaryocytes in semisolid agar cultures. Colony formation was dependent on the presence of medium conditioned by a myelomonocytic leukemic cell line (WEHI-3CM). Megakaryocytes from the liquid and semisolid cultures were identified by cytoplasmic acetylcholine esterase and by ultrastructural analysis. The suspension medium from the bone marrow liquid cultures which sustained megakaryopoiesis was not directly acitive in stimulating megakaryocyte colony formation in the semisolid agar cultures, but potentiated the number of colonies detected when WEHI-3CM was present. Bone marrow-conditioned medium increased the sensitivity of megakaryocyte progenitor cells to the stimulus in WEHI-3CM. Addition of the activities present in the two sources produced a quantitative assay for the detection of mouse megakaryocyte progenitor cells. These studies showed: (1) that no inductive regulator of in vitro clones of megakaryocytes was present in the supernatants from the long-term marrow cultures and, (2) that at least two factors were necessary for the induction of megakaryocyte progenitors to proliferate and differentiate in semisolid cultures in vitro.     

Expression of high affinity receptors for erythropoietin on human bone marrow cells and on the human erythroleukemic cell line, HEL

The principal growth factor involved in the regulation of erythropoiesis, erythropoietin (Epo), is currently under clinical trial for the treatment of anemia. Despite the advanced state of these trials, little is known about the nature and distribution of the receptor for Epo on human hemopoietic cells or about the cellular mechanisms of signal transduction. In the present study 125I-labeled recombinant human Epo has been used to demonstrate expression of saturable, high affinity binding sites for Epo on density-fractionated human bone marrow cells and on the human erythroleukemic cell line, HEL. Binding was reversible and proportional to cell number, and HEL cells were shown to express on average 34 receptors per cell (range 30-35) with an affinity of 293 pM (range 275-300 pM) at 37 degrees C in the presence of sodium azide to block receptor internalization. Autoradiographic analysis of Epo binding to human bone marrow cells showed that specific binding, measured as the difference in grain counts between total binding and binding in the presence of excess unlabeled Epo, was greatest to pronormoblasts and declined during erythroid cell maturation to undetectable levels on nucleated red cells. Autoradiography also revealed significant Epo binding to marrow megakaryocytes, which comprise less than 1% of nonerythroid cells. In contrast to erythroid cells, Epo binding to megakaryocytes increased with cell maturation, with stage IV megakaryocytes exhibiting the highest specific binding. Grain density per surface area however, remained constant during megakaryocyte maturation and was approximately 25% that on pronormoblasts.