Projects per year
Abstract
Platelets are small, anucleate blood cells which play an important role in haemostasis. Thrombocytopenia is a condition where the platelet count falls below 150 × 109/litre and patients suffering from severe forms of this condition can experience life-threatening bleeds requiring platelet transfusions. Platelets are produced from large progenitor cells called megakaryocytes which are found in the bone marrow. The process of megakaryocyte maturation and the formation of proplatelets are essential steps in the production of mature platelets and both depend heavily on the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Understanding these processes is important for the development of in vitro platelet production which will help to treat thrombocytopenia as well as produce model systems for studying platelet-associated disorders. This review will highlight some of the recent advances in our understanding of the role of the cytoskeleton in platelet production, especially the key molecules and signalling pathways that regulate actin and microtubule crosstalk.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 69–74 |
Journal | The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology |
Volume | 66 |
Early online date | 23 Jul 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2015 |
Keywords
- megakaryocyte
- Platelets
- proplatelet formation
- actin
- microtubules
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Dive into the research topics of 'Cytoskeletal regulation of platelet formation: Coordination of F-actin and microtubules'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Development and Application of Dynamic Imaging of Adhesion, Spreading and Migration in Megakaryocytes/Platelets and Neutrophils
Watson, S., Hannon, M., Nash, G., Rappoport, J. & Thomas, S.
12/04/12 → 11/04/15
Project: Research