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The origin of the megakaryocyte

Nature Cardiovascular Research volume 1, pages 593–594 (2022)Cite this article

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Studies over the past five years showing megakaryocytes in tissues beyond the bone marrow have led scientists to question the definition and purpose of these cells beyond platelet production. Here, we look to evolutionary biology to understand the roles of megakaryocytes in platelet function and diversity and mammalian fitness.

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Acknowledgements

The Machlus lab is supported by grants from the US National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R03DK124746) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL151494), and from the American Society of Hematology (Scholar Award). E.B. is recipient of a research award from the Fonds de Recherche du Québec en Santé. We thank C. de Bock and J. Italiano for insightful conversations and help conceptualizing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Kellie R. Machlus

  2. Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Kellie R. Machlus

  3. Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec and Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada

    Eric Boilard

  4. Centre de Recherche ARThrite, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada

    Eric Boilard

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  1. Kellie R. Machlus
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  2. Eric Boilard
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K.R.M. and E.B. both wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kellie R. Machlus.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Machlus, K.R., Boilard, E. The origin of the megakaryocyte. Nat Cardiovasc Res 1, 593–594 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44161-022-00099-5

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