IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF MEMBRANE AND ALPHA-GRANULE PROTEINS IN PLASTIC-EMBEDDED MOUSE BONE-MARROW MEGAKARYOCYTES AND MURINE MEGAKARYOCYTE COLONIES

  • 1 September 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 68  (3) , 696-702
Abstract
Using an immunoperoxidase technique that permits optimal antigen localization at the light microscope level, we have detected two platelet .alpha.-granule constituents and three platelet membrane glycoproteins in mouse bone marrow megakaryocytes and in murine megakaryocyte colonies grown in soft agar culture for three to seven days. Using polyclonal antibodies prepared against human platelet proteins, we have demonstrated labeling for von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen, and the membrane glycoproteins IIIa and GMP-140 in both bone marrow megakaryocytes and megakaryocyte colonies after seven days of culture. Using monoclonal antibodies to membrane glycoproteins IIb and GMP-140, we have demonstrated label in mouse bone marrow megakaryocytes. Granulocytes and macrophage colonies were negative for each of these markers. Murine bone marrow megakaryocytes and megakaryocyte colonies demonstrated a similar enzyme histochemical pattern: weakly positive for .alpha.-naphthyl acetate esterase and negative for chloroacetate esterase. These data indicate tha megakaryocytes grown in soft agar culture express many of the same glycoproteins as bone marrow megakaryocytes. Furthermore, the ability of antibodies directed against human platelet membrane glycoproteins to identify murine megakaryocyte glycoproteins indicates that these constituents have been highly conserved during evolution.