Thrombopoietin (TPO), also known as C-mpl ligand, MGDF and Thpo, is a glycoprotein hormone belonging to the EPO/TPO family. It is expressed mainly in the liver, kidney and skeletal muscle. TPO binds and signals through MLP/C_MPL receptor. It stimulates the proliferation and maturation of megakaryocytes from their committed progenitor cells, and it regulates the production and circulation of platelets. TPO has also been reported to promote the apoptosis of hypoxia-sensitized neurons and to inhibit neuronal differentiation.