HIGH PLOIDY LARGE CYTOPLASMIC MEGAKARYOCYTES ARE CRITICAL FOR PLATELET PRODUCTION AND ARE KEY NEGATIVE REGULATORS OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS

Traditionally, megakaryocytes (MK) are known for platelet generation; with their role as regulators of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) only recently being appreciated. While it is generally accepted high ploidy MK produce platelets, we have now identified that the vast majority of platelets are generated from a novel sub-population of MK, large cytoplasmic MK (LCM). When prospectively isolated from mouse marrow and transplanted, LCM readily form...