Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil and Megakaryocyte Mutual Involvement in Myelofibrosis Pathogenesis

Abstract
The study presented here, performed on the bone marrow from patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis (MF) and on a murine model of MF, demonstrates a pathological interaction between PMN leukocytes and megakaryocyte (Mk), correlated with MF development. The data obtained revealed abnormal subcellular P-selectin distribution, which appeared to correlate with excessive and pathological emperipolesis of PMN leukocytes within Mk, leading to the destruction of Mk storage organelles and leakage of α -granular contents into the bone marrow microenvironment. The prominent role of growth factors, PDGF and TGF β, stored in the Mk α -granular compartment in the generation of MF has been previously largely documented. Both growth factors are essential for the Mk-dependent fibroblast proliferation. The destructive mutual cellular interaction of Mk and PMN leading to the pathological release of PDGF and TGF β within the bone marrow microenvironment may participate, through fibroblast activation, to the generation of MF. Therefore, this study provides insight into the possible pathophysiological mechanisms for the genesis of MF.