Reviewing Megakaryocytes and Platelet Heterogeneity

While megakaryocytes and platelets display more diverse functions than previously appreciated, the molecular and cellular features underlying this diversity remain largely unclear. A new STEM CELLS Translational Medicine from researchers led by Jiaxi Zhou (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China) summarizes current findings regarding the functional and developmental heterogeneity of megakaryocytes and potential links to platelet heterogeneity, providing new insights into the ex vivo generation of platelets from human pluripotent stem cells and the clinical management of related diseases.