[Detection of mRNA in megakaryocytes using in situ hybridization]

The usefulness of in situ hybridization for detecting mRNA encoding various kinds of proteins in megakaryocytic cell lines (K562, HEL and CMK) was examined. Using in situ hybridization, glycoprotein (GP) IIIa mRNA was found to be present in K562, HEL and CMK cells. Both GPIb and GPIIb mRNA were also present in HEL and CMK cells, while only HEL cells expressed platelet factor 4 mRNA. These findings were identical to those obtained with Northern blotting. It should be emphasized that in situ hybridization was useful to clearly define each cell expressing platelet specific protein mRNA. The expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-6 receptor mRNA in mononuclear cells prepared from bone marrow aspirates was examined. In situ hybridization study demonstrated the presence of IL-6 receptor mRNA in the recognized megakaryocytes only, while IL-6 mRNA was found to be present in the megakaryocytes and a few mononuclear cells. These findings suggest that differentiation and proliferation of normal megakaryocytes might be controlled by an IL-6 autocrine loop, and detection of IL-6 receptor mRNA might be useful to identify megakaryocytes.