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The origin of the megakaryocyte

Nature Cardiovascular Research volume 1, pages 593–594 (2022)Cite this article

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Studies over the past five years showing megakaryocytes in tissues beyond the bone marrow have led scientists to question the definition and purpose of these cells beyond platelet production. Here, we look to evolutionary biology to understand the roles of megakaryocytes in platelet function and diversity and mammalian fitness.

Megakaryocytes, the cells that produce platelets, have always been a cellular enigma of sorts: gigantic, polyploid and full of extra membrane that permeates their cytoplasm. Adding to the intrigue is their abrupt evolutionary emergence approximately 166 million years ago1. Non-mammalian vertebrates including fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds do not possess either megakaryocytes or anucleate platelets. Instead, these animals have nucleated circulating thrombocytes that are derived from hematopoietic precursor cells and specialize in hemostasis, akin to platelets in mammals. Strikingly, thrombocytes from various species share a great deal in common with mammalian platelets, including the ability to aggregate, retract, bind coagulation factors and support the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin1.

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Acknowledgements

The Machlus lab is supported by grants from the US National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R03DK124746) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL151494), and from the American Society of Hematology (Scholar Award). E.B. is recipient of a research award from the Fonds de Recherche du Québec en Santé. We thank C. de Bock and J. Italiano for insightful conversations and help conceptualizing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Kellie R. Machlus

  2. Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Kellie R. Machlus

  3. Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec and Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada

    Eric Boilard

  4. Centre de Recherche ARThrite, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada

    Eric Boilard

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  1. Kellie R. Machlus
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K.R.M. and E.B. both wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kellie R. Machlus.

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Machlus, K.R., Boilard, E. The origin of the megakaryocyte. Nat Cardiovasc Res 1, 593–594 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44161-022-00099-5

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