Gene expression profile of imMKCLs cultured with thrombopoietin (TPO) or TA-316.

We have recently established a self-renewing immortalized megakaryocyte progenitor cell lines (imMKCLs) from hiPSCs, displaying long-term expansion capability with yields of functional platelets (Nakamura et al. Cell Stem Cell, 2014). However, the platelets production using imMKCLs have not been fully sufficient or cost-effective for clinical application, and further improved culture conditions are needed to accomplish the industrialization of hiPSCs-derived platelets. We screened c-MPL agonists and identified TA-316 as the most potent compound that increases platelet productivity using imMKCLs more efficiently and cost effectively as compared to TPO. Gene microarrays were used to observe the global gene expression in imMKCLs cultured with TPO or TA-316 and identified distinct classes of up or down-regulated genes. imMKCLs were cultured for 11 days with TPO or TA-316.