Gene expression profile of megakaryocytes from human cord blood CD34⁺ cells ex vivo expanded by thrombopoietin

Previously, we investigated the process of megakaryocytopoiesis during ex vivo expansion of human cord blood (CB) CD34⁺ cells using thrombopoietin (TPO) and found that megakaryocytopoiesis was closely associated with apoptosis. To understand megakaryocytopoiesis at the molecular level, we performed a microserial analysis of gene expression (microSAGE) in megakaryocytes (MKs) and nonmegakaryocytes (non-MKs) derived from human CB CD34⁺ cells by ex vivo expansion using TPO, and a total of 38,909 tags, representing 8,976 unique genes, were identified. In MKs, many of the known genes, including coagulation factor VII, P-selectin (CD62P),pim-1, azurocidin, defensin, and CD48 were highly expressed; meanwhile, those genes encoding some small G proteins of the Ras family (Rab 7 and Rab 11A) and glutathione S transferase family (1, 4, A2, omega, and pi) showed lower expression levels in MKs. These gene expression profiles will be useful to understand megakaryocytopoiesis at the molecular level, including apoptosis and related signal transduction pathways.