Since macrophage plays a critical role in the ITP development through phagocytosing antiplatelet-platelet immune complex, leading to the reduction of platelet number in the circulation [26], we then assessed whether DMF affects macrophage number in ITP mice through measuring the expression of CD68 (a macrophage marker) in the spleen by immunohistochemical staining. Here, CD68 is linked to autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.