ROLE OF SPLEEN AND LYMPHOCYTES IN REGULATION OF CIRCULATING PLATELET NUMBER IN MICE

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 91  (5) , 760-768
Abstract
The role of the spleen in the regulation of the circulating platelet number was studied in mice. The increased 75Se-Met [selenomethionine] incorporation found after removal of the spleen indicates that postsplenectomy thrombocytosis is due to enhanced platelet production. The increased thrombopoietic activity observed in the plasma of splenectomized mice proves the presence of a humoral factor which mediates this process. Administration of spleen lymphocytes to control mice caused mild thrombocytopenia and prevented postsplenectomy thrombocytosis in splenectomized animals. Culture medium obtained from peripheral blood and spleen lymphocytes contained a substance which induces thrombocytopenia when injected into control mice. The mechanisms by which the spleen and lymphocytes affect the amount of circulating platelets is discussed.