Hematopoietic factor-induced synthesis of von Willebrand factor by the Dami human megakaryoblastic cell line and by normal human megakaryocytes

Identification of hemopoietic factors and the molecular mechanisms by which they regulate the various stages of megakaryocyte development and platelet protein expression has been hampered by the lack of a purified, self-renewing, and responsive biological assay system. Previously, the human megakaryocytic Dami cell line has been shown to differentiate in response to phorbol ester by increasing the expression of platelet membrane glycoproteins Ib, IIb/IIIa, and the platelet protein, von Willebrand Factor (vWF). In this report, we demonstrate that this cell line is a suitable model for investigating the effects of specific cytokines and hemopoietic factors on the terminal differentiation of megakaryocytes as measured by the stimulated biosynthesis of vWF in serum-free culture. Although a low concentration (10 U/ml) of purified recombinant interleukin 3 (IL-3) had no effect, a higher concentration (100 U/ml) stimulated a three- to four fold increase in vWF synthesis. Purified thrombopoiesis-stimulating factor (TSF) alone induced a two- to threefold increase, and when used in combination with 10 U/ml IL-3, TSF induced a synergistic five- to sixfold increase in vWF synthesis. Recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) and human interleukin 6 (IL-6) each induced a twofold increase in vWF, and each acted additively with 10 U/ml IL-3. IL-3 and TSF stimulated similar increases in vWF expression by human megakaryocytes contained in nonadherent bone marrow preparations. These results demonstrate the usefulness of the Dami cell line as a serum-free culture system in which to study the direct effects of purified humoral factors on megakaryocyte and platelet protein synthesis during megakaryocyte maturation.