Compositions and methods for inducing thrombopoiesis

A method of inducing thrombopoiesis, the method comprising contacting stem cells with a differentiation potential towards platelets, said cells being selected from the group consisting of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells derived therefrom with a platelet production stimulating factor selected from the group consisting of thrombopoietin (TPO), TPO agonist, stem cell factor (SCF) and Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA);

• and Livin in a formulation suitable for cell penetration, said Livin comprising:
• (i) an anti-apoptotic Livin having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 2 or SEQ ID NO:
• 6, wherein upon cleavage of said Livin by caspase 3 a pro-apoptotic tLivin is produced;
• or
• (ii) a pro-apoptotic tLivin having an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 4 or SEQ ID NO:
• 8,
• thereby inducing thrombopoiesis.