International Journal of Cell Cloning, Vol 1, 389-400, Copyright © 1983 by AlphaMed Press
Identification and distribution of megakaryocyte colonies in murine spleen
C Choudhury, P Allman and E Arnold
This study is the first report on the utilization of specific cell function
to identify splenic megakaryocytic colonies. Stem cell differentiation into
megakaryocytes was studied by injecting each irradiated murine syngeneic
recipient with 1 x 10(6) spleen cells. Morphological identification of
erythroid, granulocytic, megakaryocytic, and mixed and undifferentiated
colonies was done by staining consecutive cryostat sections with
hemotoxylin and eosin, benzidine, myeloperoxidase, and
acetylcholinesterase. The variation in the distribution of hemopoietic
colonies within the spleen was reflected in the different ratio values
derived for erythroid, granulocytic, and megakaryocytic colonies at varying
depth within the spleen. An increase by 50% of megakaryocyte colonies was
seen within the splenic pulp in the midzone region, compared with the
surface. This suggests a localized microenvironment conducive for
megakaryocytopoiesis. The data emphasizes the importance of identifying
colonies of all cell types in histological sections of the spleen and
evaluating spleen sections at least at two levels, one adjacent to the
surface and the other in the midzone area.
