Figure 1.

Analysis of Mk-matrix interaction during proplatelet formation. Cord blood derived-Mks at Day 13 of culture were plated on fibrinogen-coated cover-slips, at 37° in a 5% CO₂. (A) After different time-points (30 minutes, 3-8-16 hours) adherent cells were fixed and stained for immunofluorescence analysis with TRITC-phalloidin (red) and antibody against α-tubulin (green). Nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst 33258 in blue. Images were acquired by an Olympus BX51, magnification 60× and 100×, scale bar=20 μm. In some experiments Mks were seeded in the presence or absence of the ADP scavenger apyrase (1 U/mL) or ADP (25 μM) and analyzed as described for control. (B) Cytoskeletal reorganization, (C) adhesion and (D) proplatelet formation (B) were analyzed with respect to non-treated controls (CTRL) (mean±SD, n=5 independent experiments; *P<0.05, **P<0.01).