The megakaryocyte: a cell with 3 faces as a mythic god?

In this issue of Blood, Sun et al(1) study megakaryocyte (MK) heterogeneity according to ploidy levels using single cell RNA sequencing (scRNASeq) and found 3 mature MK populations with different functions: 1 regulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), a second involved in proplatelet formation, and a third functioning similar to a monocyte, with innate and adaptive immune responses.

Automated summary

The study identified 3 mature populations of megakaryocytes with different functions, including regulating hematopoietic stem cells, proplatelet formation, and immune responses akin to a monocyte.