1. Thrombocytopenia associated with chronic liver disease
Nezam Afdhal, John McHutchison, Robert Brown, Ira Jacobson, Michael Manns, Fred Poordad, Babette Weksler, Rafael Esteban 
Journal of Hepatology 
Volume 48, Issue 6, Pages (June 2008)
DOI: /j.jhep
Copyright © 2008 European Association for the Study of the Liver Terms and Conditions

2. Fig. 1
Multiple factors can cause or contribute to the development of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease. These include portal hypertension with resulting hypersplenism, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and chemotherapy, anti-platelet antibodies, decreased levels or activity of the platelet growth factor thrombopoietin, and bone marrow suppression of thrombopoiesis due to antiviral therapy (e.g., IFN) and/or direct myelosuppressive effects of HCV infection.
Journal of Hepatology  , DOI: ( /j.jhep )
Copyright © 2008 European Association for the Study of the Liver Terms and Conditions

3. Fig. 2
Role of thrombopoietin in megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. Thrombopoietin has a central role in regulating the megakaryocyte maturation and development, acting at all stages of megakaryopoiesis. In concert with other hematopoietic cytokines and growth factors such as interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, IL-11, erythropoietin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), leukemia inhibitory factor, and steel factor, thrombopoietin promotes the growth and differentiation of megakaryocytes from bone marrow progenitor cells, culminating in the production and release of platelets. Reprinted with permission from Kaushansky K, N Engl J Med 1998;339:746–754.
Journal of Hepatology  , DOI: ( /j.jhep )
Copyright © 2008 European Association for the Study of the Liver Terms and Conditions