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Human megakaryocytes. I. Characterization of the membrane and cytoplasmic components of isolated marrow megakaryocytes.

Human marrow megakaryocytes have been isolated with high purity and yield by processing marrow cells sequentially through density centrifugation and velocity sedimentation. Analysis of the isolated cells for various platelet-associated components by immunofluorescence demonstrated that fibrinogen, plasma factor VIII antigen (factor VIII:AGN) platelet myosin, platelet glycoproteins I and III are present on the membrane and in the cytoplasm of over 90% of marrow megakaryocytes. Parallel studies of human and mouse megakaryocytes and platelets for IgG receptor (FcR), complement receptor type one (CR1) (C3b receptor), complement receptor type two (CR2) (C3d receptor), and Ia antigen by fluorescence and (or) rosette formation methods were performed. FcR were present on most human megakaryocytes and platelets. The Ia antigen was detected on a proportion (10-15%) of human megakaryocytes but it was undetectable on human platelets. CR1 was found on 20-40% of mouse megakaryocytes and also on a proportion of mouse platelets. These differentiation markers may be of use in monitoring megakaryocyte maturation.

Animals

Studies on splenic megakaryocytes. I. Recovery of megakaryocytes from the splenic venous outflow.

Spleens from 14 healthy adult cats were isolated and perfused with cell-free Ringer's solution. Histological studies on the splenic megakaryocytes, as well as a search for splenic megakaryocytes in samples of the splenic venous outflow, were performed. The samples of the splenic venous outflow contained a lower cellular concentration when perfusion was prolonged, but the number of megakaryocytes appearing in the venous samples increased. At least five different forms of megakaryocytes were observed from smears of the venous outflow: (i) unipolar, (ii) multipolar, (iii) foamy, (iv) mobile and (v) nuclear types. These types were also found in splenic venous outflow of dogs, kittens and bled cats. It is suggested that not only platelets but also the larger megakaryocytes can pass out of the splenic circulation. This may imply that megakaryocytes can be culled, matured in the splenic red pulp, and ultimately released into peripheral blood.

Animals

Chronic megakaryocytic-granulocytic myelosis--an electron microscopic study. I. Megakaryocytes and thrombocytes.

The fine structure of the bone marrow in chronic megakaryocytic-granulocytic myelosis (CMGM) was studied in 5 nontreated patients to investigate possible malignant proliferation of megakaryocytes and the role of megakaryopoiesis in fibrillogenesis, terminating in osteomyelofibrosis. In comparison with normal megakaryopoiesis there is an enormous increase of the megakaryocytic cell line and many immature and atypical forms are seen. Most conspicuous are microforms, nuclear-cytoplasmic disorganization and nuclear inclusions. Asynchrony of maturation causes abnormal thrombocytogenesis with premature detachment of platelets resulting in immature and peculiar giant forms of thrombocytes. Besides megakaryocytes appearing superficially normal the maturation anarchy of many cells is so severe that by analogy with observations in other leukaemic cells these abnormalities are thought to be representative of a malignant growth. Moreover, there is a striking accumulation of microfibrils and single collagen fibres around megakaryoblasts. Since these cells contain all those organelles commonly associated with fibre production the initial step for fibrillogenesis may therefore arise from the megakaryoblasts prior to platelet release, or any fibroblast proliferation.

Blood Platelets

Freeze-fracture of the normal and pathological megakaryocyte lineage in chronic megakaryocytic-granulocytic myelosis.

Freeze-fracture and thin sections were performed on human bone marrow of chronic megakaryocytic-granulocytic myelosis (CMGM) to study the three-dimensional fine structure and maturation of normal and atypical megakaryocytes and thrombocytes. In the many normally maturing megakaryocytes the development of the demarcation membrane system (DMS) was best investigated by comparison of thin sections with freeze-fracture replicas. The DMS shows no connections with the Golgi apparatus or rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, but originates from tubular infoldings of the plasma membrane. These infoldings are always in continuity with the extracellular space and form an intracellular membranous pool by branching and coalescing of flattened tubules from which finally the perforated cisternae of the DMS arise. Freeze-fracture of the normal thrombocytes confirms earlier findings. The abnormal giant platelets seen in CMGM display extensive areas of smooth membranes of a spongy structure consisting of dense tubules surrounded by the labyrinth of the surface-connected system. Their physiological significance in these atypical platelets remains unsolved.

Blood Platelets

[Acute myeloid leukemia with megakaryocytic predominance and malignant megakaryocyte proliferation. Apropos of 3 cases].

Three cases of acute myeloid leukemia with megakaryocyte predominance are reported. In the first case megakaryocytosis was particularly evident in bone marrow, liver and spleen. In the second case high content of megakaryocytes was observed in the bone marrow and spleen, during the preleukemic phase only. Third case exhibited a strong predominance of megakaryocytes exclusively within the bone marrow. The characteristics of such observations and their nosologic position within myeloproliferative disorders group are discussed, with special reference to modern views concerning myeloid leukemia.

Adult

HIV-1 inhibits IFITM3 expression to promote the infection of megakaryocytes.

Despite an undetectable plasma viral load as a result of antiretroviral therapy, HIV-1-infected individuals with poor immune reconstitution harbor infectious HIV-1 within their platelets. Megakaryocytes, as platelet precursors, are the likely cellular origin of these HIV-1-containing platelets. To investigate the mechanisms that allow megakaryocytes to support HIV-1 infection, we established in vitro models of viral infection using hematopoietic stem cell-derived megakaryocytes and the megakaryocytic MEG-01 cell line. We observed HIV-1 DNA provirus integration into the megakaryocyte cell genome, self-limiting virus production, and HIV-1 protein and RNA compartmentalization, which are hallmarks of HIV-1 infection in myeloid cells. In addition, following HIV-1 infection of megakaryocyte precursors, the expression of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3), an antiviral factor constitutively expressed in megakaryocytes, was inhibited in terminally differentiated HIV-1-infected megakaryocytes. IFITM3 knockdown in MEG-01 cells prior to infection led to enhanced HIV-1 infection, indicating that IFITM3 acts as an HIV-1 restriction factor in megakaryocytes. Together, these findings indicate that megakaryocyte precursors are susceptible to HIV-1 infection, leading to terminally differentiated megakaryocytes harboring virus in a process regulated by IFITM3. Megakaryocytes may thus constitute a neglected HIV-1 reservoir that warrants further study in order to develop improved antiretroviral therapies and to facilitate HIV-1 eradication.

Humans

Growth of human megakaryocyte colonies in culture from fetal, neonatal, and adult peripheral blood cells: ultrastructural analysis.

Megakaryocyte colonies can be grown in culture from human blood cells and fetal liver cells in plasma clot containing erythropoietin. Megakaryocyte progenitors were found in a fraction of mononuclear cells isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation from adult, neonatal, and fetal blood. Megakaryocytes were identified by their morphology and particularly by their polylobulated nucleus when examined by light microscopy. The megakaryocytic nature of large cells was clearly confirmed by the presence of platelet peroxidase, demarcation membranes, and alpha-granules detected by electron microscopy; in addition mature small megakaryocytes were recognized. Megakaryocyte colonies were seen after 9 days of culture and consisted of 2 to 20 cells. The colonies were pure or mixed with the burst erythroblasts. The mixed colonies were numerous in fetal and neonatal cultures, while pure megakaryocyte colonies were seen three times more frequently in those from adult blood. The total number of colonies was also much lower in adult cultures. In colonies derived from neonatal and fetal cells, megakaryocytes often reached a more complete maturation than in those from the adults, proceeding as far as platelet shedding. This study demonstrates for the first time that a megakaryocyte committed cell present in human blood can develop megakaryocyte colonies in culture.

Blood Cells

Isolation of intact megakaryocytes from guinea pig femoral marrow. Successful harvest made possible with inhibitions of platelet aggregation; enrichment achieved with a two-step separation technique.

Methods have been devised to harvest megakaryocytes from guinea pig femoral marrow and to isolate them in high yield. When marrow tissue was disaggregated the megakaryocytes underwent degenerative changes characterized by the loss of cytoplasmic granules and alterations in membrane topography, similar to the changes seen in aggregating platelets. These morphologic changes were interpreted to mean that megakaryocytes possessed functional attributes of platelets. The use of agents which inhibit platelt aggregation (0.38% sodium citrate. 10(-3) M adenosine, and 2 x 10(-3) M theophylline) in a medium free of bivalent cations prevented these changes. This solution resulted in both an excellent morphologic preservation and a significantly increased recovery of megakaryocytes from marrow tissue. A two-step purification of the intact megakaryocytes was carried out on the basis of their low density and large size, with equilibrium density gradient centrifugation followed by velocity sedimentation. This sequence gave approximately a 100-fold enrichment of megakaryocytes, significantly better than that achieved with either method alone. These techniques for harvesting and concentrating megakaryocytes make it possible for the first time to study megakaryocytes in vitro.

Adenosine

Occurrence of megakaryocytes in various vessels and their retention in the pulmonary capillaries in man.

A total of 17 patients with hypertension undergoing renal vein or adrenal vein catheterization were investigated in order to ascertain the number of megakaryocytes in blood from the inferior vena cava, the femoral artery and a cubital vein. On an average 11.9, 3.8, and 4.5 megakaryocytes per ml were found, respectively. In blood from the inferior vena cava, 30% of the megakaryocytes had copious cytoplasm, while megakaryocytes in arterial and cubital venous blood had sparse or no visible cytoplasm. It was demonstrated that 2/3 of the megakaryocytes were retained in the pulmonary circulation and that at least 70% of the platelets could derive from megakaryocytes in central venous blood or the pulmonary circulation. It was found that megakaryocytes pass through a life cycle in which the differentiation take place in the bone marrow, platelet release occurs mainly in central venous blood and in the pulmonary circulation and the destruction of the megakaryocyte nucleus take place outside the bone marrow, especially in the pulmonary circulation.

Adult

Circulating megakaryocytes in blood from the antecubital vein in healthy, adult humans.

A total of 21 healthy, adult men and 30 healthy, adult women aged 21-73 years were investigated for circulating megakaryocytes in the antecubital vein using the saponinhaemolysis leucoconcentration technique. In the males, the number of megakaryocytes in 1.5 ml blood varied from 1 to 20, the arithmetic mean being 10 megakaryocytes. In the females the number varied from 0 to 29 megakaryocytes and the arithmetic mean was 7.6 megakaryocytes. No significant difference was found between the values for the two sexes. There was no correlation between the number of megakaryocytes and platelets or leucocytes. 99% of the observed megakaryocytes were naked nuclei or had sparse cytoplasm and 1% had copious cytoplasm. Megakaryocytes without copious cytoplasm may be regarded as normally occurring cells in the peripheral venous blood.

Adult

Megakaryocyte colony formation from human bone marrow precursors.

We report the growth in plasma clot culture of megakaryocyte colonies from adult bone marrow cells with the use of four different sources of erythropoietin (Ep) as the stimulating factor. A major proportion of the megakaryocyte colonies (75%) were pure, while the others were mixed, involving erythroblasts and megakaryocytes. Ultrastructural studies have shown that the maturation of megakaryocytes was essentially normal and that platelet shedding occurred. Megakaryocyte colony formation required a large number of plated cells (greater than 3 X 10(5)/ml). In the absence of erythropoietin, rare spontaneous megakaryocyte colonies could be observed, while no erythroid colonies were present. However, erythropoietin induced a fivefold increase in the total number of colonies. These data suggest that erythropoietin is involved in the differentiation of human megakaryocytes, but that it does not act alone, since another factor related to the number of seeded cells appears essential for the formation of human megakaryocyte colonies.

Animals

Response of pulmonary (circulating) megakaryocytes to experimentally induced consumption coagulopathy in rabbits.

The effects of slow temporary infusion of a tissue thromboplastin solution into the superior vena cava on pulmonary as well as circulating megakaryocytes were studied in 40 rabbits (2-48 hours after infusion) and related to 6 noninfused and 7 infused with normal saline. This is a simple and specific method of inducing a fall in blood platelet levels and thereby an activation of thrombocytopoiesis and megakaryocytopoiesis. The induced intravascular coagulation is probably counterbalanced by an activated fibrinolysis allowing the animals to survive the infusion and thereby offering the possibility of studying the long-term effects. An increase to about 300% of the normal values in circulating as well as pulmonary megakaryocytes was found 20 and 24 hours after the onset of the infusions respectively. The number of circulating and pulmonary megakaryocytes, showing great individual variations, however, dropped to normal levels within 28 hours after onset of the infusions, which means that megakaryocytes remain detectable for less than eight hours in the lungs. No increase was found in pulmonary megakaryocytes in the control (saline infused) group. In our opinion the entrance of megakaryocytes from the bone marrow into the blood circulation in an incidental event, the number in the circulation reflecting the activity of megakarycocytopoiesis. This experiment supports our suggestion that intravascular coagulation is one of the major pathophysiological mechanisms leading to an increase in pulmonary megakaryocytes.

Animals

Identification of young megakaryocytes by immunofluorescence and cytophotometry.

The DNA-content of fluoresceine-labeled platelet antigen containing cells of mouse bone marrow was measured. For immunofluorescence highly specific anti-mouse-platelet-serum and fluoresceine-conjugated antigammaglobuline was used, applying the "sandwich" technique. Three hundred panoptically identifable megakaryocytes served as control group. The DNA-polyploidization pattern of megakaryocytes and immunofluorescence positive cells was almost identical. However, among the immunofluorescence positive cells a considerable amount of cells showed DNA-values lower than 4c, whereas the megakaryocytes of the Pappenheim stained smears revealed no DNA-values lower than 4c. The percentages of diploid and tetraploid cells, respectively, was 6 and 7% compared with 0 and 1% of panoptically identifiable megakaryoctyes. The results suggest that young megakaryocytic cells with diploid and tetraploid DNA-values can be detected by immunofluorescence technique, indicating that the flow from the uncommited to the committed megakaryocytic precursor cell appears at this early stage of megakaryocyte production.

Age Factors

Circulating megakaryocytes in patients with pulmonary inflammation and in patients subjected to cholecystectomy.

30 patients with pulmonary inflammation and 17 patients subjected to cholecystectomia à froid were investigated for circulating megakaryocytes in a cubital vein using the saponin-haemolysis leucoconcentration technique. The number of circulating megakaryocytes was significantly higher in patients with pulmonary inflammation than in healthy humans. In 15 patients with bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, and leucocytosis the arithmetic mean was 15.6 megakaryocytes per 1.5 ml blood (range 3 to 47). In 15 patients with bronchitis and a normal leucocyte count the arithmetic mean was similarly 14.1 megakaryocytes per 1.5 ml blood. After cholecystectomy a significant maximum increase in the number of circulating megakaryocytes to 3 times the preoperative value was found on the third postoperative day but not on the other postoperative days. Of the observed megakaryocytes 99% had only a narrow rim of cytoplasm or were naked nuclei.

Adolescent

Regulation of proliferation of murine megakaryocyte progenitor cells by cell cycle.

The extent to which mouse megakaryocyte progenitor cells (colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte, CFU-M) can proliferate in semisolid cultures prior to endomitosis, and conditions that may regulate that differentiation step, were investigated. The proliferative capacity of CFU-M was determined by estimating the number of megakaryocytes per colony. A bimodal distribution was observed (modal values, 10-15 and 25-30 cells/colony), indicating that separate megakaryocyte progenitor cells may be biased in their capacity for proliferation versus endomitosis. Differences were observed in the cell cycle characteristics of CFU-M as determined in vivo and in vitro that suggest that maturation of CFU-M into megakaryocytes may be regulated within the marrow by control of the cell cycle of the megakaryocyte precursor cell.

Animals

Parasinusoidal location of megakaryocytes in marrow: a determinant of platelet release.

Megakaryocytopoiesis occurs in the hematopoietic (extravascular) compartment of marrow. Thus, platelets must traverse the wall of the vascular sinuses of marrow to enter the circulation. We have examined mouse and rat marrow, fixed by rapid immersion so as to maintain anatomical relationships as close to the natural state as possible. Quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of random transections of femurs established that megakaryocytes reside less than 1 mu from a marrow sinus wall with a probability unlikely to be the result of chance (P less than 0.001). An intimate relationship exists between the megakaryocyte periphery and the abluminal surface of the endothelial lining cell. At the time of platelet release megakaryocyte cytoplasm invaginates and penetrates the endothelial lining cell. The penetrating cytoplasm is detached and enters the marrow circulation. From their dimensions in comparison to circulating platelets, the released cytoplasm represents a packet of platelets that undergoes further fragmentation in the circulation. The parasinusoidal location of megakaryocytes and the process of sinus-wall penetration and platelet delivery was observed by TEM and scanning electron microscopy. These studies provided quantitative support for a specific anatomical arrangement of megakaryocytes in marrow. Moreover, the process of platelet release appears to be a physiological form of metastasis with invasion of vascular walls and vascular spread of cells, that are in this case amitotic.

Animals

Regulation of megakaryocytes in W/Wv mice.

W/Wv mice were injected with antiplatelet serum to produce thrombocytopenia or with platelet transfusions to induce thrombocytosis. The responses of their platelets and megakaryocytes were followed to determine if proliferative abnormalities of the megakaryocytic system would be detected. W/Wv mice responded normally to the stimulation from thrombocytopenia with rebound thrombocytosis, macromegakaryocytosis, and macrothrombocytosis. The megakaryocytes of these mice became smaller than normal in response to post-thrombocytopenic rebound thrombocytosis but not to transfusion-induced thrombocytosis. Thus, endogenous thrombocytosis appeared to be a more potent suppressor of megakaryocyte growth than exogenous. These results failed to reveal an effective abnormality of the thrombocytopoietic regulatory system of W/Wv mice in spite of their intrinsically reduced numbers of megakaryocytes and the well known defect of stem cell proliferation. Thrombocytopoietic regulation appeared, therefore, to occur mainly at the committed, rather then pluripotential, stem cell level, and normal responses of the platelet system were observed in spite of severe abnormalities at the pluripotential stem cell level.

Anemia, Hemolytic

Megakaryocytes in pulmonary blood vessels. 2. Relations to malignant haematological diseases especially leukaemia.

In a study of 71 autopsies in patients with malignant haematological disorders (55 leukaemias and 16 multiple myelomas) we found an increased number of megakaryocytes in the lung capillaries in only one of 55 cases of leukaemia (43 acute and 12 chronic leukaemias) with a mean value of 3 megakaryocytes per cm2. The incidence of pulmonary megakaryocytes in 16 cases of multiple myeloma was identical to that in an unselected, consecutive series of hospital autopsies. The discrepancy between the increased megakaryocytopoiesis and previously reported high number of circulating megakaryocytes in chronic myeloid leukaemia, and the few megakaryocytes in the pulmonary blood vessels of histological sections of autopsy specimens is discussed.

Acute Disease