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| Open AccessFate mapping of hematopoietic stem cells reveals two pathways of native thrombopoiesis
Hematopoietic stem cells produce diverse cell lineages. Here, the authors apply single-cell RNA-seq, computational integration of non-perturbative approaches for fate-mapping, and mitotic tracking to chart lineage decisions in native hematopoiesis and identify megakaryocyte progenitors that directly link HSCs to megakaryocytes.
- Mina N. F. Morcos
- , Congxin Li
- & Alexander Gerbaulet
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| Open AccessPlatelet-derived microparticles enhance megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet generation via miR-1915-3p
Platelets derive from megakaryocytes, which differentiate from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). Here, Qu et al show that platelet-derived microparticles carrying miR-1915-3p target HSPCs and promote megakaryopoiesis by suppressing RHOB expression levels.
- Mingyi Qu
- , Xiaojing Zou
- & Xuetao Pei
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| Open AccessThe role of platelets in mediating a response to human influenza infection
Influenza viremia is rare in human blood and not well studied. Here, the authors show that influenza can be found in human platelets and that platelet engulfment of influenza A results in TLR7-dependent C3 release, which in turn promotes neutrophil-DNA release and formation of platelet-DNA aggregates.
- Milka Koupenova
- , Heather A. Corkrey
- & Jane E. Freedman
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| Open AccessVariants in exons 5 and 6 of ACTB cause syndromic thrombocytopenia
Genetic variants in ACTB and ACTG1 have been associated with Baraitser-Winter Cerebrofrontofacial syndrome. Here, the authors report of a syndromic thrombocytopenia caused by variants in ACTB exons 5 or 6 that compromise the organization and coupling of the cytoskeleton, leading to impaired platelet maturation.
- Sharissa L. Latham
- , Nadja Ehmke
- & Nataliya Di Donato
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Article
| Open AccessCritical role of the HDAC6–cortactin axis in human megakaryocyte maturation leading to a proplatelet-formation defect
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, a class of cancer therapeutics, cause thrombocytopenia via an unknown mechanism. Here, the authors show that HDAC6 inhibition impairs proplatelet formation in human megakaryocytes, and show that this is linked to hyperacetylation of the actin-binding protein cortactin.
- Kahia Messaoudi
- , Ashfaq Ali
- & Najet Debili
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| Open AccessDefects in TRPM7 channel function deregulate thrombopoiesis through altered cellular Mg2+ homeostasis and cytoskeletal architecture
Although Mg2+is vital for platelet activation and aggregation, its regulation in these cells is still largely unknown. Here, the authors show that TRPM7, a cation channel and a protein kinase, regulates thrombopoiesis and platelet size by affecting the cytoskeleton of these cells in mice and humans.
- Simon Stritt
- , Paquita Nurden
- & Attila Braun
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| Open AccessSingle-cell RNA sequencing reveals molecular and functional platelet bias of aged haematopoietic stem cells
With age, haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) produce more myeloid than lymphoid cells, affecting adaptive immunity. By combining HSC single cell transcriptomics with functional studies, Grover et al. find that platelet production is also increased in old murine HSCs and show that the FOG-1 transcription factor contributes to the age-dependent platelet bias.
- Amit Grover
- , Alejandra Sanjuan-Pla
- & Claus Nerlov
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Article
| Open AccessDesialylation is a mechanism of Fc-independent platelet clearance and a therapeutic target in immune thrombocytopenia
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is caused by autoantibody-mediated platelet clearance, but refractoriness to current immunomodulatory therapies is common. Here the authors show that desialylated platelets can be cleared via hepatic Ashwell–Morell receptor, a process that can be attenuated by sialidase inhibitors, suggesting a new therapy for ITP.
- June Li
- , Dianne E. van der Wal
- & Heyu Ni
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Article
| Open AccessPlatelet actin nodules are podosome-like structures dependent on Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein and ARP2/3 complex
During early platelet spreading a novel F-actin structure forms, called the actin nodule. Here Poulter et al.demonstrate that actin nodule formation depends on WASp and the Arp2/3 complex, and using super-resolution microscopy they show that nodules bear a structural resemblance to podosomes.
- Natalie S. Poulter
- , Alice Y. Pollitt
- & Steven G. Thomas
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The class II PI 3-kinase, PI3KC2α, links platelet internal membrane structure to shear-dependent adhesive function
The lipid kinase PI3KC2α is essential for embryogenesis, yet its role in adult homeostasis is unknown. Here, the authors show that PI3KC2α regulates the structure of the internal membrane reserves of murine megakaryocytes and platelets, affecting the platelets’ adhesiveness and prothrombotic function.
- Jessica K. Mountford
- , Claire Petitjean
- & Shaun P. Jackson
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Platelet production proceeds independently of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways
Platelet production has been suggested to occur by apoptosis of megakaryocytes, but mitochondrially mediated apoptosis is known to be dispensable. Here, the authors show that death receptor-mediated apoptosis in mouse megakaryocytes is also not required for platelet biogenesis.
- Emma C. Josefsson
- , Deborah L. Burnett
- & Benjamin T. Kile
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Platelets protect from septic shock by inhibiting macrophage-dependent inflammation via the cyclooxygenase 1 signalling pathway
Sepsis in patients is often accompanied by thrombocytopenia, but the exact role of platelets in the pathogenesis of septicaemia has not been elucidated. Here, Xiang et al. present evidence that platelets may act as anti-inflammatory cells and protect from septic shock.
- Binggang Xiang
- , Guoying Zhang
- & Zhenyu Li
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Microtubule and cortical forces determine platelet size during vascular platelet production
Platelets are formed from megakaryocytes but the exact mechanisms are unknown. Thonet al.describe circular preplatelets and barbell shaped proplatelets in human blood and demonstrate, with the aid of a mathematical model, a role for microtubule-based forces in regulating final platelet size.
- Jonathan N Thon
- , Hannah Macleod
- & Joseph E. Italiano Jr