Abstract
Adhesion molecules expressed on platelets play important roles for in the interaction between platelets and vascular endothelial cells.
However, little is known whether megakaryocytes bear the same adhesion molecules as those expressed on platelets.
In this study, we have examined the expression of adhesion molecules, integrin family, immunoglobulin superfamily, selectin family and CD44 family on the purified megakaryocytes, in comparison with those on platelets.
Megakaryocytes were purified by Percoll density centrifugation followed by albumin gravity sedimentation. Megakaryocytes doubly stained by anti-GP IIb/IIIa (Plt-1) and anti-adhesion molecule antibodies were analyzed by flowcytometer. All the adhesion molecules expressed on platelets were also expressed on megakaryocytes. In addition, among tested adhesion molecules, endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) was detected on megakaryocytes whereas not on platelets. This study may help for understanding the expression of adhesion molecules during megakaryocytic maturation.
