Thrombopoietin: the Primary Regulator of Megakaryocyte and Platelet Production

Abstract excerpt

The development of blood cells requires the interplay of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, marrow stroma and polypeptide growth factors. Although many proteins support the expansion of megakaryocytic precursor cells, identification of the late acting, lineage specific growth factor for platelet production, termed thrombopoietin, has remained elusive. Recently, characterization of the proto-oncogene c-mpl...