Submitted June 29, 2007
Accepted November 7, 2007
PACAP and its receptor VPAC1 regulate megakaryocyte maturation: therapeutic implications
Kathleen Freson*, Karen Peeters, Rita De Vos, Christine Wittevrongel, Chantal Thys, Marc F Hoylaerts, Jos Vermylen, and Chris Van Geet
Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Department of Pathology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Department of Pediatrics, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
* Corresponding author; email: kathleen.freson{at}med.kuleuven.be.
Megakaryocytes and platelets express the Gs-coupled VPAC1 receptor, for which the pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and the vasointestinal peptide (VIP) are agonists. We here demonstrate a regulatory role for VPAC1 signaling during megakaryopoiesis. Two trisomy 18p patients with PACAP overexpression and transgenic mice overexpressing PACAP in megakaryocytes have thrombopathy, a mild thrombocytopenia and a reduced number of mature megakaryocytes in their bone marrow. In vitro differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells from the patient and transgenic mice shows a reduced number of megakaryocyte colonies compared to controls. The addition of PACAP, VIP or the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin to CD34+ cells inhibits megakaryocyte differentiation. In contrast, neutralizing monoclonal anti-PACAP (PP1A4) or anti-VPAC1 (23A11) antibodies inhibit cAMP formation and stimulate megakaryopoiesis in a thrombopoietin independent manner. Moreover, wild type mice obtain an increased platelet count after subcutaneous injection of PP1A4 or 23A11. These antibodies also elevate platelet numbers in animal models of myelosuppressive therapy and in GATA1 deficient mice with congenital thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, 23A11 stimulates the in vitro megakaryocyte differentiation of both normal and GATA1 deficient human CD34+ cells. Together, our data strongly suggest that VPAC1 signaling tempers normal megakaryopoiesis and that inhibition of this pathway stimulates megakaryocyte differentiation, enhancing platelet recovery after myelosuppressive therapy and in GATA1 deficiency.
