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DewCell is shaping a brighter future through innovation in platelet technology.
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As a leader in platelet therapy, DewCell is taking the front.
At the Core of Platelet Therapy:
DewCell’s Research and Development
ㅣWhat is Platelet?ㅣ
Platelets play a crucial role in the vascular system. Formed from megakaryocytes, they circulate for 5–7 days and primarily act as regulators of hemostasis and thrombosis. Upon vascular injury, platelets are activated in the bloodstream, adhere to the exposed extracellular matrix beneath the endothelium, contribute to the formation of a platelet plug, and ultimately lead to the development and stabilization of a thrombus composed of a core and shell structure. Beyond their role in regulating intravascular hemostasis, platelets have also been shown to play important roles in innate immunity, intravascular tumor progression, and the control of extravascular leakage. These key functions of platelets highlight their essential contribution to maintaining normal circulatory function and physiological diversity.
Michael Holinstat., Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2017 Jun;36(2):195-198
*Platelet Components
Platelets contain α-granules and δ-granules, both of which play essential roles in the blood coagulation process through the factors they store. The α-granules are characterized by the presence of adhesion molecule P-selectin on their surface and contain various cytokines and coagulation-related substances. These include platelet factor 4 (PF4), coagulation factors, von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrin, fibronectin, and platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs), among others. The δ-granules, also known as dense granules, contain small molecules that initiate platelet activation, such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and calcium ions (Ca²⁺).
ㅣPlateletㅣ
Michael Holinstat., Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2017 Jun;36(2):195-198
Functions of Platelets
Platelets play a central role in preventing blood loss by forming clots (thrombi), which not only stop bleeding (hemostasis) but also serve as a barrier against bacterial invasion through wounds. When bleeding occurs, vascular endothelial cells produce von Willebrand factor (vWF), which facilitates platelet adhesion at the injury site. Once adhered, the platelets release ADP and thromboxane, initiating platelet activation. This activation leads to the binding of fibrinogen, allowing platelets to aggregate. The aggregated platelets entangle with red blood cells and harden to form a scab. This process is known as blood coagulation (clotting).
Causes and Risks of Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)
✔️ Thrombocytopenia can result from various causes, including acquired disorders such as impaired platelet production due to bone marrow suppression from drug treatments, or increased platelet destruction seen in conditions like idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), lupus, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), and HIV infection. Excessive bleeding following surgery can also significantly reduce platelet levels, leading to thrombocytopenia.
✔️ Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low number of platelets, also known as thrombocytes, which are crucial for blood clotting. It is one of the most common coagulation disorders in critically ill patients and frequently occurs among medical and surgical patients. A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. A platelet count below 50,000 per microliter is commonly used as a clinical threshold for requiring emergency intervention. Some individuals with thrombocytopenia may experience external bleeding symptoms such as frequent nosebleeds or bleeding gums. Women may also have heavier, prolonged, or unexpected menstrual bleeding. Spontaneous bruising, especially purpura on the forearms, petechiae on the feet, legs, and mucous membranes, may occur due to bleeding beneath the skin. The most effective treatment for severe thrombocytopenia is platelet transfusion.
✔️ Due to an aging population and other demographic factors, the supply of platelets remains severely limited, as the number of eligible donors continues to decline.
ㅣThrombopoiesisㅣ
Fig. Diagram of cells that arise from hematopoietic stem cells during process of hematopoiesis (ref.Wikipedia)
Platelets are formed from proplatelets, which are extensions produced by megakaryocytes, and they typically measure around 2–4 μm in size. These megakaryocytes originate from hematopoietic stem cells through a series of differentiation stages. Remarkably, a single megakaryocyte has the capacity to produce thousands of platelets.
ㅣArtificial Platelet Production Processㅣ
Megakaryocytes capable of producing platelets account for only about 0.05% of the total blood cells in the bone marrow. Due to this extremely low proportion, obtaining megakaryocytes for the purpose of producing transfusion-grade platelets presents significant limitations. To overcome these challenges and enable the scalable production of platelets, it is necessary to utilize cells with proliferative and differentiation capabilities—such as embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), hematopoietic stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. These cells must undergo large-scale expansion and directed differentiation. Dewcell is actively conducting research and development with the goal of producing transfusion-grade platelets from such stem cells, while ensuring rigorous quality control and a consistent manufacturing process.
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