Expression of cox-2, tie-2 and glycodelin by megakaryocytes in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and polycythaemia vera.

When evaluating bone marrow sections for markers of neo-angiogenesis, we found that megakaryocytes stained markedly positive for cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), Tie-2 and glycodelin. This apparently novel finding was further evaluated for disease-specific variations. Bone marrow sections from two patient groups, known to be characterized by clonal megakaryocytopoiesis, viz. chronic myeloid leukaemia and polycythaemia vera, stained, however, similarly to healthy marrows for these markers. The biochemical background and clinical significance of Cox-2, Tie-2 and glycodelin remains to be elucidated.