TPO gene injection promoted platelet production: a primary study

Objective:To investigate the effects of hTPO gene injection on mice platelet （PLT） production.Methods:hTPO cDNA cloned in pcDNA3, an eukarocytic expression plasmid, was administered into 175 mice skeleton muscle （60μg each）. White blood cells （WBC） and PLTs in blood that collected by tail cut were counted, and the histology of bone marrow and spleen studied. Same aged uninjected mie were used as control. Results:Increase of megakaryocyte density and PLT count appeared on the second and third day respectively after injection. In about 4 weeks observation, PLT increase lasted for about 1 week, its average number was about 184% of the control, and the peak value reached over 3 times. Since then, PLT count fluctuated but it was still higher than the control. WBC counts were not significantly changed except the first 2 days. The histological features of the spleens showed macrophage proliferation and an immunological response.Conclusion:TPO gene injection strongly promotes platelet production and TPO is also probably an immune stimulator.