Expression of adhesion molecules on cytoplasmic processes of human megakaryocytes

Megakaryocytes generate cytoplasmic processes (CP) that penetrate endothelial cells in the bone marrow sinus, and these processes may release platelets into the circulation at their terminal stage. Adhesion between the CP and endothelial cells may be important during the extension of CP. We examined the expression of adhesion molecules of the integrin family (CDw49b, CDw49d, CDw49e, CDw49f, CD18, CD11a CD11c, and CD11b), the immunoglobulin superfamily (CD54, CD56, CD58, and CD31), the selectin family (ELAM-1, LECAM-1, and CD62), and CD44, CD41b, and CD42b on platelets, megakaryocytes, and megakaryocytes with CP. No specific adhesion molecules were observed on the megakaryocytes with CP. Three staining patterns of adhesion molecules-homogeneous, speckled, and accumulated-were observed on the megakaryocytes with CP, but not on those without CP. Platelet integrins (i.e., CD41a, CDw49b, CDw49e and CDw49f) and GPIb (CD42b) were strongly and homogeneously stained on the CP. GMP-140 CD62) was weakly stained, in a speckled pattern. CD31 (PECAM-1) was also weakly stained but accumulated selectively on the tip of the CP. ANTI-CD31 suppressed CP formation of megakaryocytes. We speculate that the homodimerization of CD31 expressed on the tips of CP and endothelial cells is important for the extension of the processes and for the migration of megakaryocytes.