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Removal of the Spleen in Mice Alters the Cytokine Expression Profile of the Marrow Micro‐environment and Increases Bone Formation
Author(s) -
Martelli Fabrizio,
Verrucci Maria,
Migliaccio Giovanni,
Zingariello Maria,
Rana Rosa Alba,
Vannucchi Alessandro Maria,
Migliaccio Anna Rita
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04968.x
Subject(s) - haematopoiesis , bone marrow , spleen , megakaryocyte , gata1 , biology , platelet , thrombopoietin , cytokine , transcription factor , growth factor , erythropoiesis , immunology , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , stem cell , receptor , anemia , gene , biochemistry
Splenectomized mice express progressively increased numbers of platelets in the blood and reduced numbers of megakaryocytes in the marrow with age. The megakaryocytes in the marrow of these animals express reduced levels of Gata1, a transcription factor necessary for their maturation. In addition, the marrow from these animals expresses greater levels of cytokines (TGF‐β, PDGF‐α, and VEGF) known to be produced at high levels by megakaryocytes expressing reduced levels of Gata1. This high level of cytokine expression is in turn associated with active osteoblast proliferation localized to areas of the femur, where megakaryocytes expressing reduced Gata1 levels are also found. These results confirm the role of megakaryocytes as regulator of bone formation in mice and suggest that a cross‐talk between the spleen and marrow may regulate the total numbers of hemopoietic niches present in an animal.