Mutations responsible for MYH9-related thrombocytopenia impair SDF-1-driven migration of megakaryoblastic cells

Thromb Haemost. 2011 Oct;106(4):693-704. doi: 10.1160/TH11-02-0126. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

Abstract

MYH9-related disease (MYH9-RD) is an autosomal-dominant thrombocytopenia caused by mutations in the gene for the heavy chain of non-muscle myosin-IIA (NMMHC-IIA). Recent in vitro studies led to the hypothesis that thrombocytopenia of MYH9-RD derives from an ectopic platelet release by megakaryocytes in the osteoblastic areas of bone marrow (BM), which are enriched in type I collagen, rather than in vascular spaces. SDF-1-driven migration of megakaryocytes within BM to reach the vascular spaces is a key mechanism for platelet biogenesis. Since myosin-IIA is implicated in polarised migration of different cell types, we hypothesised that MYH9 mutations could interfere with this mechanism. We therefore investigated the SDF-1-driven migration of a megakaryoblastic cell line, Dami cells, on type I collagen or fibrinogen by a modified transwell assay. Inhibition of myosin-IIA ATPase activity suppressed the SDF-1-driven migration of Dami cells, while over-expression of NMMHC-IIA increased the efficiency of chemotaxis, indicating a role for NMMHC-IIA in this mechanism. Transfection of cells with three MYH9 mutations frequently responsible for MYH9-RD (p.R702C, p.D1424H, or p.R1933X) resulted in a defective SDF-1-driven migration with respect to the wild-type counterpart and in increased cell spreading onto collagen. Analysis of differential localisation of wild-type and mutant proteins suggested that mutant NMMHC-IIAs had an impaired cytoplasmic re-organisation in functional cytoskeletal structures after cell adhesion to collagen. These findings support the hypothesis that a defect of SDF-1-driven migration of megakaryocytes induced by MYH9 mutations contributes to ectopic platelet release in the BM osteoblastic areas, resulting in ineffective platelet production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / metabolism*
  • Chemotaxis / genetics
  • Chromosome Breakage
  • Chromosome Disorders / genetics*
  • Chromosome Disorders / pathology
  • Chromosome Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / genetics
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Megakaryocyte Progenitor Cells / metabolism*
  • Megakaryocyte Progenitor Cells / pathology
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / genetics
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / genetics
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / metabolism*
  • Thrombocytopenia / congenital*
  • Thrombocytopenia / genetics
  • Thrombocytopenia / pathology
  • Thrombocytopenia / physiopathology
  • Thrombopoiesis / genetics
  • Transgenes / genetics

Substances

  • CXCL12 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Collagen Type I
  • MYH9 protein, human
  • Molecular Motor Proteins
  • Myosin Heavy Chains

Supplementary concepts

  • Thrombocytopenia chromosome breakage