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Induction of megakaryocyte colonies with platelet formation in vitro

Nature volume 261, pages 492–494 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

COLONY culture methods utilising semi-solid media which facilitate extensive cellular differentiation in vitro have proved invaluable for the quantitative investigation of granulocytic and erythrocytic progenitors and the effector substances to which they respond1,2. Colonies of megakaryocytes have been produced from suspensions of mouse bone marrow or spleen cells in agar containing lymphocyte-conditioned medium3. But these megakaryocytes did not reach the stage of maturation at which significant platelet production could be demonstrated. We now report the development of megakaryocyte colonies with extensive platelet production in plasma cultures seeded with mouse bone marrow cells and containing either sheep or human erythropoietin in the medium. The proportional relation observed between the number of colonies produced and the number of bone marrow cells plated also provides the basis of a quantitative assay method for megakaryocyte progenitors in murine haemopoietic tissues.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Histology, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    D. L. McLEOD, M. M. SHREEVE & A. A. AXELRAD

Authors
  1. D. L. McLEOD
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  2. M. M. SHREEVE
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  3. A. A. AXELRAD
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McLEOD, D., SHREEVE, M. & AXELRAD, A. Induction of megakaryocyte colonies with platelet formation in vitro. Nature 261, 492–494 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/261492a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/261492a0

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