Megakaryocytes

Platelets are blood circulating corpuscles generated from megakaryocytes that initiate wound healing. Here, Moreau et al. describe a way of producing large quantities of megakaryocytes from human pluripotent stem cells in the laboratory, moving us a step closer to manufacturing transfusion products.

The lipid kinase PI3KC2α is essential for embryogenesis, yet its role in adult homeostasis is unknown. Here, the authors show that PI3KC2α regulates the structure of the internal membrane reserves of murine megakaryocytes and platelets, affecting the platelets’ adhesiveness and prothrombotic function.