Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells
09:46

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells

Published on: December 27, 2017

Enhanced expansion and maturation of megakaryocytic progenitors by fibronectin

P Han1, X H Guo, C J Story

  • 1Department of Haematology, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Cytotherapy
|August 27, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fibronectin enhances megakaryocyte progenitor expansion and maturation from CD34(+) cells. This study shows fibronectin boosts thrombopoietin

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Megakaryopoiesis involves complex interactions of hematopoietic cells, stromal cells, growth factors, and extracellular matrix (ECM).
  • Megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF), also known as thrombopoietin, is crucial for megakaryocyte commitment.
  • The influence of adhesion proteins on megakaryocytic progenitor generation remains under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of fibronectin in the ex vivo expansion and differentiation of megakaryocytic progenitors.
  • To assess the synergistic effects of fibronectin with MGDF on CD34(+) cell cultures.

Main Methods:

  • CD34(+) cells isolated from umbilical cord blood were cultured in serum-free medium with IL-3, IL-6, SCF, and MGDF.
  • Cultures were supplemented with or without fibronectin and analyzed on Days 4 and 8.
  • Analyses included cell counts, immunophenotyping (flow cytometry), and megakaryocyte colony-forming unit (CFU-Mk) assays.

Main Results:

  • Fibronectin, in synergy with MGDF, significantly increased total and CD34(+) cell counts.
  • Fibronectin enhanced the expression of CD61 and CD41a on CD34(-) cells by Day 8.
  • CFU-Mk assays demonstrated a 2.4-fold increase in megakaryocytic progenitors with fibronectin by Day 8, with larger cells observed in CFU-Mk colonies.

Conclusions:

  • Fibronectin addition to the culture system potentiates MGDF activity.
  • Fibronectin promotes ex vivo expansion of megakaryocytic progenitors from CD34(+) cells.
  • Fibronectin contributes to the maturation of megakaryocytes towards later differentiation stages.

More Related Videos

Fibroblast-Derived 3D Matrix System Applicable to Endothelial Tube Formation Assay07:21

Fibroblast-Derived 3D Matrix System Applicable to Endothelial Tube Formation Assay

Published on: December 26, 2019

In Situ Exploration of Murine Megakaryopoiesis using Transmission Electron Microscopy08:15

In Situ Exploration of Murine Megakaryopoiesis using Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: September 8, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells01:15

Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells

Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM01:25

Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM

Fibronectin is an adhesive glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix of embryogenic and adult tissue. These molecules primarily aid in regulating cell motility and attachment. A fibronectin molecule is composed of two identical polypeptide chains attached to each other by a pair of disulfide bonds at the C-terminal.
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors01:28

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoietic growth factors are molecules that regulate the differentiation rate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Erythropoietin (EPO), primarily produced by the kidneys, plays a crucial role in erythrocyte production. When oxygen levels in the blood are low, EPO is released into the bloodstream, reaching the bone marrow, where it stimulates HSCs to differentiate and mature into erythrocytes, which are vital for oxygen transport.
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...