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Thrombopoietin: the novel hepatic hormone
Eva-Maria Wolber1, Wolfgang Jelkmann
1Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Luebeck, D-23538 Luebeck, Germany.
Abstract:
The glycoprotein thrombopoietin (TPO) is the major stimulator of megakaryopoiesis and platelet production. Hepatocytes express TPO mRNA at a constant rate. The plasma TPO level is inversely correlated to the mass of megakaryocytes and platelets, which degrade the hormone following its binding to specific membrane receptors.