Localization of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)-2, -4, and -6 within megakaryocytes and platelets

In this study, we localized bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), proteins known to induce ectopic osteogenesis, within megakaryocytes and in lysates of human platelets. Immunohistochemistry localized BMP-2, -4, and -6 within marrow megakaryocytes of 5-week-old rat tibias. In situ hybridization was utilized to confirm the presence of BMP-2, BMP-4, and BMP-6 mRNA in 2- to 3-week-old mouse tibial marrow megakaryocytes. Finally, the presence of BMP-2, -4, and -6 was confirmed in human platelet lysates using Western blot technique. The expression and release of BMPs by megakaryocytes, within platelets and perhaps by secretion, may help to explain recent reports of excessive bone formation associated with increased numbers of marrow megakaryocytes in GATA-1- or NF-E2 gene-deficient mice. Also, excess local release of BMPs may provide an explanation for the bone overgrowth (osteosclerosis) seen in human patients suffering from a type of myelogenous leukemia characterized by increased numbers of marrow megakaryocytes.