3208 – PROLONGED THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT PATIENTS IS CAUSED BY IMPAIRED SUPPORT OF PLATELET PRECURSOR CELLS BY ALTERED BONE MARROW NICHES

Abstract

Prolonged thrombocytopenia affects one-third of patients who undergo a bone marrow transplant (BMT). It is a serious complication associated with significantly reduced survival. There is no alternative treatment aside from platelet transfusion to assist in platelet recovery post-BMT, which carries risks and complications. Platelet production occurs in the bone marrow in a multi-stage process, with each stage involving different niche cells. Little is known about the niches that regulate different types of platelet precursors, including megakaryocyte progenitors (MkPs), or how they respond to a BMT. Consistent with humans, mice have persistent reductions in platelets post-BMT. This was accomp..