A novel strategy for generating platelet-like fragments from megakaryocytic cell lines and human progenitor cells

Transfusion of allogeneic platelets is the mainstay of therapy for patients with thrombocytopenic hemorrhage. However, donated platelets can only be stored for 5 days and are maintained at room temperature, increasing the risk of bacterial growth. Developing a method to produce functional platelets in vitro would greatly advance transfusion therapy. During our studies to understand megakaryocyte development, we discovered that a Src kinase inhibitor, SU6656, induces cellular enlargement, polyploidization, and cytoplasmic fragmentation of several hematopoietic cell lines. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that these fragments possess platelet-like activity. We studied a megakaryocytic cell-line, UT-7/TPO, and immature human primary megakaryocytes. After 6 days in the presence of thrombopoietin and SU6656, the majority of cells became polyploid and started shedding platelet-like fragments. These fragments were tested for aggregation and analyzed by electron microscopy. The platelet-like fragments did not undergo spontaneous activation but did show rapid and sustained aggregation in response to each of the standard agonists collagen, arachidonic acid, adenosine diphosphate, and epinephrine. Platelet-like fragments generated in SU6656 had higher amplitude and more prolonged aggregation in each of three experiments. Primary progenitors developed demarcation membranes within 72 h and evidence of dense granules and platelet-like fragments after 6 days. These cell fragments demonstrated properties consistent with platelet aggregation in response to multiple agonists without spontaneous aggregation. These studies provide evidence that SU6656 promotes megakaryocytic differentiation and thrombopoiesis in vitro.