Thromb Haemost 2014; 112(04): 743-756
DOI: 10.1160/TH14-02-0123
Platelets and Blood Cells
Schattauer GmbH

Platelet demand modulates the type of intravascular protrusion of megakaryocytes in bone marrow

Shugo Kowata
1   Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan
,
Sumio Isogai
2   Anatomy and Human Embryology, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan
,
Kazunori Murai
1   Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan
,
Shigeki Ito
1   Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan
,
Koujiro Tohyama
3   Center for Electron Microscopy and Bio-Imaging Research, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan
,
Masatsugu Ema
4   Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University for Medical Sciences, Shiga, Japan
,
Jiro Hitomi
2   Anatomy and Human Embryology, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan
,
Yoji Ishida
1   Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Iwate, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Financial support: This study was financially supported by a grant from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Japan) 2013–25461458.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 11 February 2014

Accepted after minor revision: 19 April 2014

Publication Date:
04 December 2017 (online)

Summary

Megakaryocytes (MKs) generate platelets via intravascular protrusions termed proplatelets, which are tandem arrays of platelet-sized swellings with a beaded appearance. However, it remains unclear whether all intravascular protrusions in fact become proplatelets, and whether MKs generate platelets without forming proplatelets. Here, we visualised the sequential phases of intravascular MK protrusions and fragments in living mouse bone marrow (BM), using intravital microscopy, and examined their ultrastructure. The formation of intravascular protrusions was observed to be a highly dynamic process, in which the size and shape of the protrusions changed sequentially prior to the release of platelet progenitors. Among these intravascular protrusions, immature thick protrusions were distinguished from proplatelets by their size and the dynamic morphogenesis seen by time-lapse observation. In ultrastructural analyses, the thick protrusions and their fragments were characterised by a peripheral zone, abundant endoplasmic reticulum and demarcation membrane system, and random microtubule arrays. Proplatelets were predominant among BM sinusoids in the physiological state; however, during an acute thrombocytopenic period, thick protrusions increased markedly in the sinusoids. These results strongly suggested that BM MKs form and release two types of platelet progenitors via distinct intravascular protrusions, and that platelet demand modulates the type of intravascular protrusion that is formed in vivo.

 
  • References

  • 1 Kaushansky K. Determinants of platelet number and regulation of thrombopoiesis. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program 2009; 147-152.
  • 2 Aster RH. Pooling of platelets in the spleen: role in the pathogenesis of “hyper-splenic” thrombocytopenia. J Clin Invest 1966; 45: 645-657.
  • 3 Harker LA, Finch CA. Thrombokinetics in man. J Clin Invest 1969; 48: 963-974.
  • 4 Becker RP, De Bruyn PP. The transmural passage of blood cells into myeloid sinusoids and the entry of platelets into the sinusoidal circulation; a scanning electron microscopic investigation. Am J Anat 1976; 145: 183-205.
  • 5 Italiano Jr, JE, Lecine P, Shivdasani RA. et al. Blood platelets are assembled principally at the ends of proplatelet processes produced by differentiated megakaryocytes. J Cell Biol 1999; 147: 1299-1312.
  • 6 Thon JN, Montalvo A, Patel-Hett S. et al. Cytoskeletal mechanics of proplatelet maturation and platelet release. J Cell Biol 2010; 191: 861-874.
  • 7 Thon JN, Macleod H, Begonja AJ. et al. Microtubule and cortical forces determine platelet size during vascular platelet production. Nat Commun 2012; 3: 852.
  • 8 Handagama PJ, Feldman BF, Jain NC. et al. Circulating proplatelets: isolation and quantitation in healthy rats and in rats with induced acute blood loss. Am J Vet Res 1987; 48: 962-965.
  • 9 Zucker-Franklin D, Philipp CS. Platelet production in the pulmonary capillary bed: new ultrastructural evidence for an old concept. Am J Pathol 2000; 157: 69-74.
  • 10 Yamada E. The fine structure of the megakaryocyte in the mouse spleen. Acta Anat 1957; 29: 267-290.
  • 11 Behnke O. An electron microscope study of the rat megakaryocyte. II. Some aspects of platelet release and microtubules. J Ultrastruct Res 1969; 26: 111-129.
  • 12 Kosaki G. In vivo platelet production from mature megakaryocytes: does platelet release occur via proplatelets?. Int J Hematol 2005; 81: 208-219.
  • 13 Behnke O. Microtubules in disk-shaped blood cells. Int Rev Exp Pathol 1970; 9: 1-92.
  • 14 White JG, Rao GH. Microtubule coils versus the surface membrane cytoskeleton in maintenance and restoration of platelet discoid shape. Am J Pathol 1998; 152: 597-609.
  • 15 Radley JM, Scurfield G. The mechanism of platelet release. Blood 1980; 56: 996-999.
  • 16 Muto M. A scanning and transmission electron microscopic study on rat bone marrow sinuses and transmural migration of blood cells. Arch Histol Jpn 1976; 39: 51-66.
  • 17 Richardson JL, Shivdasani RA, Boers C. et al. Mechanisms of organelle transport and capture along proplatelets during platelet production. Blood 2005; 106: 4066-4075.
  • 18 Patel SR, Richardson JL, Schulze H. et al. Differential roles of microtubule assembly and sliding in proplatelet formation by megakaryocytes. Blood 2005; 106: 4076-4085.
  • 19 Radley JM, Haller CJ. The demarcation membrane system of the megakaryocyte: a misnomer?. Blood 1982; 60: 213-219.
  • 20 Schulze H, Korpal M, Hurov J. et al. Characterization of the megakaryocyte demarcation membrane system and its role in thrombopoiesis. Blood 2006; 107: 3868-3875.
  • 21 Junt T, Schulze H, Chen Z. et al. Dynamic visualization of thrombopoiesis within bone marrow. Science 2007; 317: 1767-1770.
  • 22 Wright JH. Die Entstehung der Blutplättchen. Virchows Arch 1906; 186: 55-63.
  • 23 Breton-Gorius J, Reyes F. Ultrastructure of human bone marrow cell maturation. Int Rev Cytol 1976; 46: 251-321.
  • 24 Lichtman MA, Chamberlain JK, Simon W. et al. The parasinusoidal location of megakaryocytes in marrow: a determinant of platelet release and a physiologic version of vascular invasion and metastasis. Trans Assoc Am Physicians 1977; 90: 313-323.
  • 25 Okabe M, Ikawa M, Kominami K. et al. ‘Green mice’ as a source of ubiquitous green cells. FEBS Lett 1997; 407: 313-319.
  • 26 Ema M, Takahashi S, Rossant J. Deletion of the selection cassette, but not cis-acting elements, in targeted Flk1-lacZ allele reveals Flk1 expression in multipo-tent mesodermal progenitors. Blood 2006; 107: 111-117.
  • 27 Lo Celso C, Lin CP, Scadden DT. In vivo imaging of transplanted hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in mouse calvarium bone marrow. Nat Protoc 2011; 6: 1-14.
  • 28 Isogai S, Horiguchi M, Hitomi J. The para-aortic ridge plays a key role in the formation of the renal, adrenal and gonadal vascular systems. J Anat 2010; 216: 656-670.
  • 29 Takaku T, Malide D, Young NS. et al. Hematopoiesis in 3 dimensions: human and murine bone marrow architecture visualized by confocal microscopy. Blood 2010; 116: 41-45.
  • 30 Levin J, Levin FC, Metcalf D. The effects of acute thrombocytopenia on megakaryocyte-CFC and granulocyte-macrophage-CFC in mice: studies of bone marrow and spleen. Blood 1980; 56: 274-283.
  • 31 Kienast J, Schmitz G. Flow cytometric analysis of thiazole orange uptake by platelets: a diagnostic aid in the evaluation of thrombocytopenic disorders. Blood 1990; 75: 116-121.
  • 32 Zucker-Franklin D. Megakaryocyte and platelet structure in thrombocytopoiesis: the effect of cytokines. Stem Cells 1996; 14 (Suppl. 01) 1-17.
  • 33 White JG, Krumwiede MD, Escolar G. Glycoprotein Ib is homogeneously distributed on external and internal membranes of resting platelets. Am J Pathol 1999; 155: 2127-2134.
  • 34 Strassel C, Eckly A, Léon C. et al. Intrinsic impaired proplatelet formation and microtubule coil assembly of megakaryocytes in a mouse model of Bernard-Soulier syndrome. Haematologica 2009; 94: 800-810.
  • 35 White JG. Platelet structure. In: Platelets. 3rd ed.. Oxford: Elsevier; 2013. pp. 117-144.
  • 36 Leader A, Pereg D, Lishner M. Are platelet volume indices of clinical use? A multidisciplinary review. Ann Med 2012; 44: 805-816.
  • 37 Tong M, Seth P, Penington DG. Proplatelets and stress platelets. Blood 1987; 69: 522-528.
  • 38 Radley JM, Hartshorn MA. Megakaryocyte fragments and the microtubule coil. Blood Cells 1987; 12: 603-614.
  • 39 Ascoff L. Ueber capillare embolie von riesenkernhaltigen zellen. Arch Pathol Anat Phys 1893; 134: 11-14.
  • 40 Levine RF, Eldor A, Shoff PK. et al. Circulating megakaryocytes: delivery of large numbers of intact, mature megakaryocytes to the lungs. Eur J Haematol 1993; 51: 233-246.
  • 41 Zhang L, Orban M, Lorenz M. et al. A novel role of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor S1pr1 in mouse thrombopoiesis. J Exp Med 2012; 209: 2165-2181.
  • 42 Behnke O, Forer A. From megakaryocytes to platelets: platelet morphogenesis takes place in the bloodstream. Eur J Haematol 1998; 61: 3-23.
  • 43 Weyrich AS, Zimmerman GA. Platelets in lung biology. Annu Rev Physiol 2013; 75: 569-591.
  • 44 Kuter DJ, Bussel JB, Lyons RM. et al. Efficacy of romiplostim in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura: a double-blind randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2008; 371: 395-403.
  • 45 Emmons RV, Reid DM, Cohen RL. et al. Human thrombopoietin levels are high when thrombocytopenia is due to megakaryocyte deficiency and low when due to increased platelet destruction. Blood 1996; 87: 4068-4071.
  • 46 Nagasawa T, Hasegawa Y, Shimizu S. et al. Serum thrombopoietin level is mainly regulated by megakaryocyte mass rather than platelet mass in human subjects. Br J Haematol 1998; 101: 242-244.
  • 47 Ito T, Ishida Y, Kashiwagi R. et al. Recombinant human c-Mpl ligand is not a direct stimulator of proplatelet formation in mature human megakaryocytes. Br J Haematol 1996; 94: 387-390.
  • 48 Ishida Y, Ito T, Kuriya S. Effects of c-mpl ligand on cytoplasmic maturation of murine megakaryocytes and on platelet production. J Histochem Cytochem 1998; 46: 49-57.
  • 49 Chang Y, Auradé F, Larbret F. et al. Proplatelet formation is regulated by the Rho/ROCK pathway. Blood 2007; 109: 4229-4236.