[Effects of recombinant erythropoietin on terminal cytoplasmic maturation of megakaryocytes and thrombopoiesis].

The liquid culture system of platelet production was used to monitor the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-EPO) on megakaryocyte maturation and thrombopoiesis. r-EPO, when added to the culture at concentration from 1U/ml to 6U/ml, significantly increased the platelet count in a dose dependent manner, while the megakaryocyte number remained unchanged. The rate of cytoplasmic maturation and DNA synthesis of megakaryocyte were increased by r-EPO. Our data indicate that r-EPO is a potent stimulant for terminal cytoplasmic maturation of megakaryocyte and thrombopoiesis.