HAEMATOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
ER “brakes” in thrombopoiesis
Platelet production is a highly regulated process and involves megakaryocyte maturation and proplatelet formation. Thiol isomerases (such as ERp57 and ERp5) fold proteins in the megakaryocyte endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and regulate the ER stress response. ER stress is a physiological adaptive process by which the cell senses and fine tunes protein production in response to external stimuli. The aim of this study is to understand the role of ER stress in thrombopoiesis with a focus on ERp5 and ERp57.
Figure. Shortened proplatelet extensions in ERp57 deficient megakaryocytes (ERp57 CKO) compared to wildtype (upper panels). GP1bα highlighted in green, SiR-tubulin in red; nuclei in blue. Decreased number of megakaryocyte fragments in the bone marrow of mice with ERp5 deficient megakaryocytes (ERp5 CKO) (bottom panels); GP1bα highlighted in green, laminin in red, nuclei in blue.