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Generation of Megakaryocytes and Platelets from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

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Human Embryonic Stem Cell Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1307))

Abstract

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) have the potential to produce any tissue type in the body and thus represent a source of cells for regenerative medicine. Here we have shown that human platelets can be produced from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells in a defined culture system. We describe a serum- and feeder-free culture system that enabled the generation of megakaryocyte (Mk) progenitors and functional platelets from hPSCs. After 13 days the differentiated population included precursor cells that formed colonies containing differentiated Mks, and after 20 days these Mks were able to fragment into platelet-like particles that were functional. This protocol represents an important step towards the generation of human platelets for therapeutic use.

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References

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank both Edouard G. Stanley and Andrew G. Elefanty from the Murdoch Childrens’ Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, for their support and advice on writing this chapter. In addition, this work would not be possible without the financial support of the Rosetrees Trust Fund, UK.

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Correspondence to Marjorie Pick .

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© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Pick, M. (2013). Generation of Megakaryocytes and Platelets from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. In: Turksen, K. (eds) Human Embryonic Stem Cell Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1307. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/7651_2013_58

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/7651_2013_58

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2667-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2668-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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