Platelet-like particle formation in the human megakaryoblastic leukaemia cell lines, MEG-01 and MEG-01s.

The platelet-sized particle formation in the human megakaryoblastic leukaemia cell line MEG-01 and its subline MEG-01s was examined. MEG-01 and MEG-01s cells spontaneously released platelet-sized particles into the culture medium, in which the cells occasionally extended cytoplasmic processes similar to those of megakaryocyte proplatelets. Scanning electron microscopic images showed cytoplasmic processes elongated from blebs on the MEG-01 and MEG-01s cell surface and were constricted between segments of platelet size. Immunofluorescence staining with anti-tubulin antibody showed that the cytoplasmic processes contained microtubules that were organized into a ring, which is a characteristic of circulating platelets. Some platelet-sized particles, probably released by ruptures at the sites of the process constriction, were metabolically active in an MTT assay (about 50%). Some particles also expressed the platelet-specific glycoproteins GPIIb, IIIa and GMP-140. Rarely, in response to thrombin, particles underwent a shape change from spherical to a shape with irregular membrane protrusions and fine filopodia, and aggregating with one another. The particles also had increased GMP-140 (P-selectin) expression with the addition of thrombin. These results show the usefulness of the MEG-01 and MEG-01s cell lines for the study of thrombopoiesis.