Abstract
Neurotrophin signaling modulates the differentiation and function of mature blood cells. The expression of neurotrophin receptors and ligands by hematopoietic and stromal cells of the bone marrow indicates that neurotrophins have the potential to regulate hematopoietic cell fate decisions. This study investigates the role of neurotrophins and Tropomyosin receptor kinases (Trk) in the development of megakaryocytes (MKs) and their progeny cells, platelets. Results indicate that primary human MKs and MK cells lines, DAMI, Meg-01 and MO7e express TrkA, the primary receptor for Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) signaling. Activation of TrkA by NGF enhances the expansion of human MK progenitors (MKPs) and, to some extent, MKs. Whereas, inhibition of TrkA receptor by K252a leads to a 50% reduction in the number of both MKPs and MKs and is associated with a 3-fold increase in the production of platelets. In order to further confirm the role of TrkA signaling in platelet production, TrkA deficient DAMI cells were generated using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Comparative analysis of wild-type and TrkA-deficient Dami cells revealed that loss of TrkA signaling induced apoptosis of MKs and increased platelet production. Overall, these findings support a novel role for TrkA signaling in platelet production and highlight its potential as therapeutic target for Thrombocytopenia.