Hypercholesterolemia impairs megakaryopoiesis and platelet production in scavenger receptor BI knockout mice

Amber B. Ouweneel*, Menno Hoekstra, Ezra J. van der Wel, Frank H. Schaftenaar, Olga S.C. Snip, Jasmin Hassan, Suzanne J.A. Korporaal, Miranda Van Eck

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background and aims: Thrombocytopenia in scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) knockout mice is suggested to result from augmented platelet clearance induced by elevated intracellular unesterified cholesterol (UC) levels. We hypothesize that SR-BI deficiency may also influence platelet production at the level of its precursor cell in the bone marrow, the megakaryocyte. Methods: In this study, we compared megakaryopoiesis and platelet production in SR-BI knockout and wild-type mice. Results: In line with our hypothesis, megakaryocytes from SR-BI knockout mice exhibited UC accumulation while no accumulation of UC was detectable in wild-type megakaryocytes. Bone marrow expression of transcription factors involved in megakaryocyte maturation was induced, but megakaryocyte counts were unchanged in bone marrow of SR-BI knockout mice. Interestingly, we did find a striking 62% decrease (p < 0.01) in proplatelet production by SR-BI knockout megakaryocytes. SR-BI knockout mice displayed an impaired increase in circulating platelet concentrations and bone marrow megakaryocyte numbers upon thrombopoietin challenge. Importantly, megakaryocytes from normolipidemic bone marrow-specific SR-BI knockout mice exhibited a normal ability to produce proplatelets. Moreover, bone marrow-specific deletion of SR-BI did not impair the thrombopoietin response or induce thrombocytopenia, confirming that absence of megakaryocyte SR-BI does not underlie the thrombocytopenic phenotype in total body SR-BI knockout mice. Conclusions: In conclusion, the elevation of plasma unesterified cholesterol levels impairs megakaryopoiesis and platelet production in SR-BI knockout mice. Our findings suggest that, in addition to an increased platelet clearance, a decrease in platelet production may also, in part, explain the thrombocytopenic phenotype associated with SR-BI deficiency in mice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)176-182
Number of pages7
JournalAtherosclerosis
Volume282
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2019

Keywords

  • HDL
  • Megakaryocytes
  • Scavenger receptor BI
  • Thrombopoiesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hypercholesterolemia impairs megakaryopoiesis and platelet production in scavenger receptor BI knockout mice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this