Biological characteristics of megakaryocytes: specific lineage commitment and associated disorders

Megakayocytes (Megakaryocytes) are among the rarest type of haematopoietic cells and highly specialized precursors for platelets. Normal mature megakaryocytes are, perhaps, the largest cells in the marrow. In contrast, their annucleated platelets progeny are the smallest subcellular fragments in the circulation, which in spite of their size, play crucial roles in thrombostasis and haemostasis. Megakaryopoiesis involves complicated and multi-step biological processes. Research over the last decade has resulted in certain important new discoveries, such as the specific megakaryocyte-forming haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) subpopulation, thrombopoietin (Tpo), formation and release of platelets, etc. Substantial understanding of the specific lineage commitment, differentiation, and the molecular regulatory mechanisms of megakaryopoiesis has also been achieved. Despite existing controversies and questions, megakaryopoiesis remains an exciting field in biomedical research. Certain recent biological findings as well as future research in megakaryopoiesis are summarised in this article. Certain pathological changes associated with megakaryocytes, such as immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), acute megakayoblastic leukaemia, etc., are also discussed in this article.