OP9 bone marrow stroma cells differentiate into megakaryocytes and platelets

PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e58123. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058123. Epub 2013 Mar 1.

Abstract

Platelets are essential for hemostatic plug formation and thrombosis. The mechanisms of megakaryocyte (MK) differentiation and subsequent platelet production from stem cells remain only partially understood. The manufacture of megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets from cell sources including hematopoietic stem cells and pluripotent stem cells have been highlighted for studying the platelet production mechanisms as well as for the development of new strategies for platelet transfusion. The mouse bone marrow stroma cell line OP9 has been widely used as feeder cells for the differentiation of stem cells into MK lineages. OP9 cells are reported to be pre-adipocytes. We previously reported that 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes differentiated into MKs and platelets. In the present study, we examined whether OP9 cells differentiate into MKs and platelets using MK lineage induction (MKLI) medium previously established to generate MKs and platelets from hematopoietic stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and pre-adipocytes. OP9 cells cultured in MKLI medium had megakaryocytic features, i.e., positivity for surface markers CD41 and CD42b, polyploidy, and distinct morphology. The OP9-derived platelets had functional characteristics, providing the first evidence for the differentiation of OP9 cells into MKs and platelets. We then analyzed gene expressions of critical factors that regulate megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. The gene expressions of p45NF-E2, FOG, Fli1, GATA2, RUNX1, thrombopoietin, and c-mpl were observed during the MK differentiation. Among the observed transcription factors of MK lineages, p45NF-E2 expression was increased during differentiation. We further studied MK and platelet generation using p45NF-E2-overexpressing OP9 cells. OP9 cells transfected with p45NF-E2 had enhanced production of MKs and platelets. Our findings revealed that OP9 cells differentiated into MKs and platelets in vitro. OP9 cells have critical factors for megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis, which might be involved in a mechanism of this differentiation. p45NF-E2 might also play important roles in the differentiation of OP9 cells into MK lineages cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Blood Platelets / cytology*
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Culture Media
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression
  • Megakaryocytes / cytology*
  • Megakaryocytes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex / genetics
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex / metabolism
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb / genetics
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / cytology*
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Thrombopoiesis / genetics*
  • Thrombopoietin / genetics
  • Thrombopoietin / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Culture Media
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb
  • Transcription Factors
  • Thrombopoietin

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Grants-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan (http://www.mext.go.jp/) (#21591250 to Y. Matsubara and #22659183 to Y. Ikeda and Y. Matsubara) and from the Japanese Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (http://www.mhlw.go.jp/) for blood coagulation abnormalities (to M. Murata). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.