Compositions and methods for increasing megakaryocyte production

2:

• The method of claim 1, wherein said stem cells are induced pluripotent stem cells.

3:

• The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting the stem cells with a megakaryocyte differentiation inducer.

4:

• The method of claim 3, wherein said megakaryocyte differentiation inducer is selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin (TPO), and interleukin-3 (IL-3).

5:

• The method of claim 1, wherein said TPM1 inhibitor is an inhibitory nucleic acid molecule.

6:

• The method of claim 1, wherein said inhibitory nucleic acid molecule is selected from the group consisting of antisense, siRNA, and shRNA.

7:

• The method of claim 1, wherein said TPM1 gene is inactivated by delivering a gene editing system specific for the TPM1 gene to the cell.

8:

• The method of claim 7, wherein said gene editing system is CRISPR.

9:

• The method of claim 1, further comprising isolating the produced megakaryocytes.

10:

• The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the megakaryocytes to produce platelets and, optionally, isolating the produced platelets.

11:

• The method of claim 10, wherein said megakaryocytes are contacted with thrombin, convulxin, and/or adenosine diphosphate to activate production of platelets.

12:

• The method of claim 10, wherein said megakaryocytes are incubated in a platelet bioreactor to activate production of platelets.

13:

• A method of treating thrombocytopenia in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering megakaryocytes produced by the method of claim 1 to the subject.

14:

• A method of treating thrombocytopenia in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering the platelets produced by the method of claim 10 to the subject.