The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight recent advances in the knowledge on the ontogenenic and cytogenetic origin of the megakaryocytes that have made a paradigm shift in our understanding of the biological functions exerted by these cells. In fact, in addition to megakaryocytes with pro-thrombotic functions, novel subsets of megakaryocytes specialized as regulators of the immune response or of the composition of the extracellular matrix of the microenvironment have been recently identified. These subsets of megakaryocytes play an important role in the regulation of the microenvironment that supports the hematopoietic stem cells in the marrow and their alterations lead to the establishment of cancer stem cell supporting microenviroment that contribute to tumor progression in hematopoietic malignancies and in solid tumors.
The Guest Editors welcome articles providing new information in the field of the ontogenesis of megakaryocytes and their subsets, on inherited and acquired abnormalities in megakaryocyte development and their relationship with cancer or cancer predisposition, and on the functions exerted by these subsets of cells in thrombopoiesis and in the regulation of the immune system and of the microenvironment, including tumor microenvironment.
Within this Research Topic, we aim to collect Original Research and Review articles, as well as Mini-Reviews, Perspective, and Opinion articles, focusing on but not limited to the following sub-topics:
1) The origin of megakaryocytes in ontogenesis and megakaryocyte subsets
2) Inherited and acquired abnormalities in megakaryocyte development and relationship
with cancer
3) Megakaryocytes as regulators of hematopoietic stem cells and their microenvironment
The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight recent advances in the knowledge on the ontogenenic and cytogenetic origin of the megakaryocytes that have made a paradigm shift in our understanding of the biological functions exerted by these cells. In fact, in addition to megakaryocytes with pro-thrombotic functions, novel subsets of megakaryocytes specialized as regulators of the immune response or of the composition of the extracellular matrix of the microenvironment have been recently identified. These subsets of megakaryocytes play an important role in the regulation of the microenvironment that supports the hematopoietic stem cells in the marrow and their alterations lead to the establishment of cancer stem cell supporting microenviroment that contribute to tumor progression in hematopoietic malignancies and in solid tumors.
The Guest Editors welcome articles providing new information in the field of the ontogenesis of megakaryocytes and their subsets, on inherited and acquired abnormalities in megakaryocyte development and their relationship with cancer or cancer predisposition, and on the functions exerted by these subsets of cells in thrombopoiesis and in the regulation of the immune system and of the microenvironment, including tumor microenvironment.
Within this Research Topic, we aim to collect Original Research and Review articles, as well as Mini-Reviews, Perspective, and Opinion articles, focusing on but not limited to the following sub-topics:
1) The origin of megakaryocytes in ontogenesis and megakaryocyte subsets
2) Inherited and acquired abnormalities in megakaryocyte development and relationship
with cancer
3) Megakaryocytes as regulators of hematopoietic stem cells and their microenvironment
