In addition, down-regulation of GATA1s was accompanied by both up- and down-regulation of a large number of genes, including genes related to cell proliferation and cell differentiation, such as IL1A. Previous studies have established that interleukin 1 enhances proliferation of megakaryocytic progenitors.[25], [37] Our finding that GATA1s promotes cell proliferation and represses differentiation toward megakaryocytic lineage in DS suggests that expression of GATA1s in itself could be a causal factor in leukemogenesis in DS. This evidence concerns the gene IL1A and Dravet syndrome.