Megakaryocyte emperipolesis: a new frontier in cell-in-cell interaction

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Pierre Cunin1, Peter A Nigrovic1,2

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA, USA.

Platelets
|November 23, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Emperipolesis, a cell-in-cell interaction where megakaryocytes engulf neutrophils, actively enhances platelet production. This process involves neutrophils transferring membrane to platelets and then exiting intact.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Emperipolesis is a poorly understood phenomenon where megakaryocytes (platelet-producing cells) engulf hematopoietic cells, particularly neutrophils.
  • This interaction is conserved across mammals and increases during inflammation and high platelet demand.
  • Recent research reveals emperipolesis as a unique cell-in-cell interaction with active participation from both cell types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on emperipolesis.
  • To explore the mechanisms and significance of this cell-in-cell interaction.
  • To discuss the potential roles of emperipolesis in megakaryocyte, platelet, and neutrophil biology.

Main Methods:

  • Histological examination of bone marrow.
  • Analysis of cell-in-cell interaction dynamics.
  • Review of recent scientific literature.

Main Results:

  • Emperipolesis involves integrin-mediated attachment and active cytoskeletal rearrangement for cell entry.
  • Neutrophils enter an 'emperisome' within megakaryocytes, fuse with the demarcation membrane system, and transfer membrane to developing platelets.
  • Neutrophils egress intact, potentially carrying megakaryocyte components.

Conclusions:

  • Emperipolesis is a sophisticated mechanism enhancing thrombocytogenesis (platelet formation).
  • This process involves active membrane transfer from neutrophils to platelets via megakaryocytes.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the roles of emperipolesis in hematopoiesis and immune function.
Keywords:
Emperipolesismegakaryocyteneutrophil

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