Uniform impact on individual megakaryocytes is essential for efficient in vitro platelet production.

Different approaches are being developed to efficiently produce in vitro platelets from cultured megakaryocytes to meet the constant demand of platelet transfusion and serve for research purposes. Recent works have shown that turbulence and periodic stress can significantly enhance platelet yield. Here we have developed and characterized a platelet production device that takes in account these properties.

The tubulin code in platelet biogenesis.

Blood platelets are small non-nucleated cellular fragments that prevent and stop hemorrhages. They are produced in the bone marrow by megakaryocytes through megakaryopoiesis. This intricate process involves profound microtubule rearrangements culminating in the formation of a unique circular sub-membranous microtubule array, the marginal band, which supports the typical disc-shaped morphology of platelets.

Glycoprotein V : the unsolved GPV puzzle.

Glycoprotein V (GPV) is a highly expressed 82 KDa platelet surface transmembrane protein which is loosely attached to the GPIb-IX complex. Despite remaining questions concerning its function, GPV presents several unique features which have repercussions in hematology, atherothrombosis, immunology and transfusion. GPV is specifically expressed in platelets and megakaryocytes and is an ideal marker and reporter gene for the late stages of megakaryopoiesis.