These results suggest that this platform has the potential to serve as a novel, easily administered class of topical antimicrobials for the treatment of subcutaneous infections and abscesses. Hemopoiesis occurs in a complex microenvironment within the bone marrow. Megakaryocytes and their progeny, circulating anucleated platelets, are vascular cells involved in many aspects of hemostatic and inflammatory functions, as well as the site for many blood disorders. As observed in mice, Mks release platelets through a complex mechanism that converts the bulk of their cytoplasm into multiple long processes Clinodiside-A called proplatelets. These protrusions are thin and branch repeatedly. Mk maturation and platelet generation occurs in selected environments within the bone marrow, with proplatelet formation following Mk migration from the osteoblastic to the vascular niche, where newly generated platelets can be released into the bloodstream. A growing body of evidence indicates that the characteristics of the microenvironment surrounding Mks plays an important role in the regulation of platelet production within the bone marrow. The vascular niche is comprised of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen type IV, fibronectin, laminin, fibrinogen, and most likely VWF, which allow proplatelet formation. Type I collagen, however, completely suppresses proplatelet formation and is the most abundant extracellular protein of the osteoblastic niche. It is known that mutual regulatory interactions occur between Mks and osteoblasts, with Mks contributing to bone homeostasis and osteoblasts supporting megakaryopoiesis through the release of growth factors. However, it is also known that under normal physiological conditions the osteoblastic niche inhibits Mk maturation and Morin differentiation. Therefore, the dynamic interaction of Mks with the different ECM proteins within the bone marrow seems to orchestrate their maturation in specific sites. In addition, we have shown that engagement of receptors is dependent on both the composition and structural properties of these matrices.