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J. Exp. Med.,
Volume 188, Number 3, August 3, 1998 539-548
By



From the * Division of Hematology-Oncology, Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021;
the Although thrombopoietin has been shown to promote megakaryocyte (MK) proliferation and
maturation, the exact mechanism and site of platelet formation are not well defined. Studies
have shown that MKs may transmigrate through bone marrow endothelial cells (BMEC), and
release platelets within the sinusoidal space or lung capillaries. In search for chemotactic factor(s) that may mediate transmigration of MKs, we have discovered that mature polyploid MKs
express the G protein-coupled chemokine receptor CXCR4 (Fusin, LESTR). Therefore, we
explored the possibility that stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), the ligand for CXCR4, may also induce transendothelial migration of mature MKs. SDF-1, but not other CXC or CC
chemokines, was able to mediate MK migration (ED50 = 125 pmol/liter). The MK chemotaxis induced by SDF-1 was inhibited by the CXCR4-specific mAb (12G5) and by pertussis
toxin, demonstrating that signaling via the G protein-coupled receptor CXCR4 was necessary
for migration. SDF-1 also induced MKs to migrate through confluent monolayers of BMEC
by increasing the affinity of MKs for BMEC. Activation of BMEC with interleukin 1
James Ewing Laboratory of Developmental Hematopoiesis, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, New York 10021; the § Department of Immunology, Berlex Biosciences, Richmond, California
94804; the
Department of Medicine II, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany; and
the ¶ Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19104
resulted in a threefold increase in the migration of MKs in response to SDF-1. Neutralizing mAb to the
endothelial-specific adhesion molecule E-selectin blocked the migration of MKs by 50%, suggesting that cellular interaction of MKs with BMEC is critical for the migration of MKs. Light
microscopy and ploidy determination of transmigrated MKs demonstrated predominance of
polyploid MKs. Virtually all platelets generated in the lower chamber also expressed CXCR4. Platelets formed in the lower chamber were functional and expressed P-selectin (CD62P) in
response to thrombin stimulation. Electron microscopy of the cells that transmigrated through
the BMEC monolayers in response to SDF-1 demonstrated the presence of intact polyploid MKs as well as MKs in the process of platelet formation. These results suggest that SDF-1 is a
potent chemotactic factor for mature MKs. Expression of CXCR4 may be the critical cellular
signal for transmigration of MKs and platelet formation.
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