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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Immunophenotyping and Cell Sorting of Human MKs from Human Primary Sources or Differentiated In Vitro from Hematopoietic Progenitors
Published on: August 7, 2021
Characterization of Cellular Heterogeneity and an Immune Subpopulation of Human Megakaryocytes
Cuicui Liu1,2, Dan Wu1,2, Meijuan Xia1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300020, China.
Abstract:
Megakaryocytes (MKs) and their progeny platelets function in a variety of biological processes including coagulation, hemostasis, inflammation, angiogenesis, and innate immunity. However, the divergent developmental and cellular landscape of adult MKs remains mysterious. Here, by deriving the single-cell transcriptomic profiling of MKs from human adult bone marrow (BM), cellular heterogeneity within MKs is unveiled and an MK subpopulation with high enrichment of immune-associated genes is identified. By performing the dynamic single-cell transcriptomic landscape of human megakaryopoiesis in vitro, it is found that the immune signatures of MKs can be traced back to the progenitor stage. Furthermore, two surface markers, CD148 and CD48, are identified for mature MKs with immune characteristics. At the functional level, these CD148+ CD48+ MKs can respond rapidly to immune stimuli both in vitro and in vivo, exhibit high-level expression of immune receptors and mediators, and may function as immune-surveillance cells. The findings uncover the cellular heterogeneity and a novel immune subset of human adult MKs and should greatly facilitate the understanding of the divergent functions of MKs under physiological and pathological conditions.
Insights
Researchers discovered a new immune subset of adult megakaryocytes (MKs) using single-cell transcriptomics. These CD148+ CD48+ MKs show immune potential, advancing our understanding of MK functions.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets are crucial for hemostasis, immunity, and inflammation.
- The cellular and developmental diversity of adult MKs is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular heterogeneity of adult human bone marrow MKs.
- To identify novel MK subpopulations and their immune functions.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell transcriptomic profiling of human adult bone marrow MKs.
- In vitro dynamic single-cell transcriptomic analysis of human megakaryopoiesis.
- Identification and functional characterization of MK subpopulations.
Main Results:
- Unveiled significant cellular heterogeneity within adult MKs.
- Identified a novel MK subpopulation enriched in immune-associated genes.
- Discovered CD148 and CD48 as surface markers for immune MKs.
- Demonstrated rapid immune response and expression of immune mediators by CD148+ CD48+ MKs.
Conclusions:
- Human adult MKs exhibit substantial cellular heterogeneity, including a distinct immune subset.
- Immune signatures in MKs originate from progenitor stages.
- CD148+ CD48+ MKs may act as immune-surveillance cells, contributing to divergent MK functions in health and disease.
