ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of rTMP-GH, a recombinant fusion protein of thrombopoietin mimetic peptide (TMP) and human growth hormone (GH), on the proliferation and thrombocytopoiesis of cultured megakaryocytes. Methods After being treated with 100 ng/ml of rTMP-GH for 7 d, Dami cells, a kind of megakaryocyte cell line, were analyzed by observing the numbers of colony forming unit. Meanwhile, Western blotting and RT-PCR were applied to detect the expression changes of globin transcription factor-1 (GATA-1), which is a main regulator of thrombocytopoiesis in megakaryocytes. Results The numbers of colony forming unit were markedly increased in cultured Dami cells incubated with rTMP-GH. Compared with normal control and GH treatment groups, both the mRNA and protein levels of GATA-1 were up-regulated significantly in Dami cells treated with rTMP-GH. Conclusion rTMP-GH has a strong ability to promote the proliferation and thrombocytopoiesis of megakaryocytes.