Regulation of megakaryocyte colony forming cell numbers and ploidy by dideoxynucleosides in immunodeficient mice.

We have recently demonstrated that azidothymidine (AZT) elevates the levels of circulating platelets in mice made immune deficient by infection with LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus (MAIDS mice). In an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms of the AZT platelet elevating effect, we examined the number of splenic and bone marrow megakaryocyte colony-forming cells (CFU-mk) and the ploidy of megakaryocytes derived from CFU-mk using fluorescence cytophotometric methods. Two other dideoxynucleosides (ddN) 2'3'-dideoxyinosine (ddl) and 2'3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC) were assessed to determine the specificity of the effect of AZT. MAIDS mice were given ddN in drinking water for 15 days. AZT was the only ddN that significantly increased circulating platelet levels in MAIDS mice. AZT significantly increased splenic CFU-mk in MAIDS mice, but bone marrow CFU-mk were not affected. ddl and ddC failed to change either platelet levels or the numbers of splenic or bone marrow CFU-mk. The ploidy of megakaryocytes derived from splenic and bone marrow CFU-mk were examined by first identifying CFU-mk by staining for acetylcholinesterase, followed by nuclear staining with propidium iodide. The fluorescence of individual cells was then measured using a Perceptics image analysis system. Modal ploidy of CFU-mk megakaryocytes derived from spleen cells of AZT-treated immunodeficient mice was shifted upwards from 16N to 32N. Similarly, AZT treatment changed the modal ploidy number of colony megakaryocytes derived from bone marrows of immunodeficient mice from 16N to 32N. The ploidy distribution was also significantly shifted. ddl and ddC failed to significantly alter either modal ploidy number or distribution of megakaryocytes derived from splenic or bone marrow CFU-mk. These findings suggest that AZT may affect physiological processes that lead to platelet formation.