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Isolation of Mouse Megakaryocyte Progenitors
10:30

Isolation of Mouse Megakaryocyte Progenitors

Published on: May 20, 2021

Potential role of APRIL as autocrine growth factor for megakaryocytopoiesis

Désirée Bonci1, Michael Hahne, Nadia Felli

  • 1Laboratory of Hematology and Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

Blood
|April 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) promotes megakaryocyte growth and platelet production. This study reveals APRIL

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is a tumor necrosis factor family member.
  • APRIL is implicated in tumor cell proliferation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the role of APRIL in megakaryocytopoiesis, the process of megakaryocyte development and platelet formation.
  • Determine if APRIL influences megakaryocytic cell differentiation and proliferation.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed APRIL expression in CD34(+) progenitor cells and during megakaryocytic differentiation.
  • Studied the effect of exogenous APRIL expression on primary megakaryocytic cells.
  • Neutralized endogenous APRIL to evaluate its impact on megakaryocyte expansion and platelet production.

Main Results:

  • APRIL is not expressed in healthy CD34(+) progenitor cells but is upregulated during megakaryocytic differentiation.
  • Exogenous APRIL enhances megakaryocytic cell growth.
  • APRIL neutralization significantly reduces megakaryocyte expansion and platelet production.

Conclusions:

  • APRIL acts as a growth factor in terminal megakaryocytopoiesis.
  • APRIL promotes physiologic platelet production.

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