High doses of recombinant erythropoietin stimulate platelet production in mice

Previously, recombinant erythropoietin (rEpo) was shown to increase the number and size of megakaryocytic colonies in vitro, and in vivo it elevates the number of megakaryocytes in mouse spleens. To test the hypothesis that rEpo would stimulate platelet production in mice, both normal mice and mice in rebound-thrombocytosis were injected with rEpo and the %35S incorporation into platelets was measured. A thrombocytopoiesis-stimulating factor (TSF or thrombopoietin) was used as a positive control. rEpo increased isotopic incorporation into platelets of both normal mice and mice in rebound-thrombocytosis, as did TSF, but required large doses (15 U rEpo/mouse). In other mice, hematocrits, platelet counts, platelet sizes, and 24-hr %35S incorporation into platelets were measured 2 days after injection of two equally divided doses of either rEpo or TSF. Significant increases in both platelet sizes and %35S incorporation into platelets were found after injections of 15 U rEpo/mouse or 2.3 U TSF/mouse. These data indicate that rEpo, at high doses, will stimulate platelet production in mice, and may suggest molecular similarities between rEpo and TSF and their ability to compete for common receptor sites on megakaryocytes and their progenitor cells.