To identify the expression of thrombopoietin (TPO) receptors (c-mpl) on central nervous system (CNS) and to evaluate the role of TPO on neural cell proliferation and protection, immunohistochemical staining, RT-PCR, MTT, and annexin-V methods were used in this study. The results showed the expression of TPO receptor on human CNS and murine neural cells. C-mpl mRNA was identified in human cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum, and mouse neural cell line C17.2 by RT-PCR. C-mpl was also confirmed in human cerebral hemispheres by immunohistostaining with con-focal microscopy. Furthermore, TPO had a stimulating effect on the growth of in vitro neural cell C17.2 by MTT assay. The anti-apoptotic effect of TPO on C17.2 cells was also demonstrated by staining with annexin-V and PI. In conclusion, the first evidence showed the expression of TPO receptor c-mpl in central nervous system. Moreover, the effect of TPO on neural cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis was also demonstrated on in vitro neural cells.