Thrombocytosis as a response to high interleukin-6 levels in cGMP-dependent protein kinase i mutant mice

Abstract

OBJECTIVE - : The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of cGMP-dependent kinase I (cGKI) on platelet production. APPROACH AND RESULTS - : We used hematology analyser to measure platelet counts in conventional cGKI-null mutants (cGKIL1/L1), gene-targeted cGKIα/β rescue mice (referred to as cGKI-smooth muscle [SM]) in which cGKI expression is specifically restored only in SM, platelet factor 4-Cretg/+; cGKIL2/L2 mice in which the cGKI protein was specifically deleted in the megakaryocyte/platelet lineage and cGKI-deficient bone marrow-chimeras. Thrombocytosis was detected in cGKIL1/L1 and in cGKI-SM. In contrast, neither platelet factor 4-Cretg/+; cGKIL2/L2 nor cGKI-deficient bone marrow-chimeras displayed a thrombocytosis phenotype, indicating that the high platelet count in cGKIL1/L1 and cGKI-SM mutants is attributable to loss of an extrinsic signal rather than reflecting an intrinsic defect in megakaryopoiesis. Cytometric analyses further showed that stimulation of bone marrow-derived wild-type megakaryocytes in vitro using serum preparations obtained from cGKI-SM mutants strongly accelerated megakaryopoiesis, suggesting that the high platelet count develops in response to serum factors. Indeed, using ELISA assay, we found elevated levels of interleukin-6, a known stimulator of thrombopoiesis, in cGKI-SM mutant serum, whereas interleukin-6 levels were unaltered in platelet factor 4-Cre tg/+; cGKIL2/L2 mice and cGKI-deficient bone marrow-chimeras. Accordingly, antibody-mediated blockade of interleukin-6 normalized platelet counts in cGKI-SM mice. CONCLUSIONS - : Abnormal cGMP/cGKI signaling in nonhematopoietic cells affects thrombopoiesis via elevated interleukin-6 production and results in thrombocytosis in vivo. Dysfunction of cGMP/cGKI signaling in nonhematopoietic cells contributes to a high platelet count, which is potentially associated with thrombosis. © 2013 American Heart Association, Inc.