Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 24, 2025

In Situ Exploration of Murine Megakaryopoiesis using Transmission Electron Microscopy
08:15

In Situ Exploration of Murine Megakaryopoiesis using Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: September 8, 2021

2.9K

Megakaryocytes in pulmonary diseases

Di-Yun Huang1, Guan-Ming Wang1, Zhuo-Ran Ke1

  • 1Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.

Life Sciences
|May 4, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Megakaryocytes (MKs), crucial for platelet production, are increasingly linked to lung diseases like COVID-19 and COPD. Understanding MK roles in pulmonary conditions offers new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Megakaryocytes (MKs) regulate platelet production and immune responses.
  • The lungs are a significant site for extramedullary megakaryopoiesis.
  • MK dysfunction is implicated in various pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of MKs in pulmonary diseases.
  • To highlight MK physiological functions and molecular mechanisms in lung conditions.
  • To inform future research and clinical applications for MKs in lung disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on MKs and pulmonary diseases.
  • Analysis of numerical changes in MKs across different lung conditions.
  • Summary of molecular pathways influenced by MKs in lung disease.

Main Results:

  • MKs exhibit altered numbers in COVID-19, ARDS, COPD, lung cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis.
  • MKs can both inhibit and promote the progression of pulmonary diseases.
  • Specific molecular mechanisms of MK involvement are being elucidated.

Conclusions:

  • MKs play a complex role in the pathogenesis of various pulmonary diseases.
  • Further investigation into MKs is crucial for advancing the diagnosis and treatment of lung conditions.
  • Targeting MKs may offer novel therapeutic strategies for respiratory diseases.
Keywords:
Acute respiratory distress syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCoronavirus disease 2019Lung cancerMegakaryocytesPulmonary fibrosis

More Related Videos

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells09:46

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells

Published on: December 27, 2017

19.9K
Isolation of Mouse Megakaryocyte Progenitors10:30

Isolation of Mouse Megakaryocyte Progenitors

Published on: May 20, 2021

6.8K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis01:30

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
302
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors01:28

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoietic growth factors are molecules that regulate the differentiation rate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Erythropoietin (EPO), primarily produced by the kidneys, plays a crucial role in erythrocyte production. When oxygen levels in the blood are low, EPO is released into the bloodstream, reaching the bone marrow, where it stimulates HSCs to differentiate and mature into erythrocytes, which are vital for oxygen transport.
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
1.8K
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers01:26

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers

Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are two critical categories of drugs employed in the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). PAH is a disease that causes high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, resulting in chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
267
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
50
Structure and Function of Platelets01:18

Structure and Function of Platelets

The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000...
1.6K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
3.1K