Three-Dimensional Tissue Models for Studying Ex Vivo Megakaryocytopoiesis and Platelet Production

Three-dimensional (3D) tissue cultures in vitro enable a more physiological reconstruction of native tissues and organs. The bone marrow environment, structure and composition regulate megakaryocyte function and platelet production. Here, we describe the use of silk fibroin protein biomaterials to assemble 3D scaffolds mimicking the bone marrow niche architecture and extracellular matrix composition to support platelet release from human megakaryocytes. Additionally, we also propose the use of hyaluronan hydrogels, functionalized with extracellular matrix components, to reproduce the 3D matrix structure of the bone marrow environment for studying human megakaryocyte function.