Canonical Wnt signaling in megakaryocytes regulates proplatelet formation

Blood. 2013 Jan 3;121(1):188-96. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-03-416875. Epub 2012 Nov 16.

Abstract

Wnt signaling is involved in numerous aspects of vertebrate development and homeostasis, including the formation and function of blood cells. Here, we show that canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways are present and functional in megakaryocytes (MKs), with several Wnt effectors displaying MK-restricted expression. Using the CHRF288-11 cell line as a model for human MKs, the canonical Wnt3a signal was found to induce a time and dose-dependent increase in β-catenin expression. β-catenin accumulation was inhibited by the canonical antagonist dickkopf-1 (DKK1) and by the noncanonical agonist Wnt5a. Whole genome expression analysis demonstrated that Wnt3a and Wnt5a regulated distinct patterns of gene expression in MKs, and revealed a further interplay between canonical and noncanonical Wnt pathways. Fetal liver cells derived from low-density-lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6-deficient mice (LRP6(-/-)), generated dramatically reduced numbers of MKs in culture of lower ploidy (2N and 4N) than wild-type controls, implicating LRP6-dependent Wnt signaling in MK proliferation and maturation. Finally, in wild-type mature murine fetal liver-derived MKs, Wnt3a potently induced proplatelet formation, an effect that could be completely abrogated by DKK1. These data identify novel extrinsic regulators of proplatelet formation, and reveal a profound role for Wnt signaling in platelet production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / cytology
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology
  • Liver / embryology
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-6 / deficiency
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-6 / genetics
  • Megakaryocytes / cytology*
  • Megakaryocytes / drug effects
  • Megakaryocytes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Thrombopoiesis / genetics
  • Thrombopoiesis / physiology*
  • Wnt Proteins / pharmacology
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology*
  • Wnt3A Protein / pharmacology
  • beta Catenin / biosynthesis
  • beta Catenin / genetics

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-6
  • Lrp6 protein, mouse
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Wnt3A Protein
  • beta Catenin