Collagenase production by guinea pig megakaryocytes in vitro

Cultured guinea pig bone marrow megakaryocytes were found to secrete a 92-kd collagenase that was detected by digestion of gelatin in a polyacrylamide substrate gel assay. Neither casein or bovine serum albumin were digested by this enzyme. The enzyme is a neutral metalloprotease. Its secretion is increased by thrombin (1.0 U/ml) and phorbol myristate acetate (10 ng/ml) and is unaffected by prostaglandin E1 (10 microM). In the absence of serum, gelatinase secretion is inhibited, but it can be stimulated by cytochalasin D (1.0 microgram/ml). Gelatinase activity in the medium from megakaryocytes cultured on rat tail collagen gel is decreased. Medium from megakaryocytes cultured on Matrigel contains a second gelatinase of 90 kd. Addition of the tetrapeptide RGDS to the cultures on Matrigel blocks the appearance of the 90-kd gelatinase. Platelets contained both a 92- and a 90-kd gelatinase that was detected only after thrombin activation. The results indicate that megakaryocytes can secrete a collagenase, and its secretion may be in part controlled by interaction with the extracellular matrix. The appearance of the 90-kd gelatinase may be associated with megakaryocyte maturation and platelet formation.