9th Annual WML Academic Symposium

Presenter(s): Hammodah R. Alfar
Title: CMK11-5 Cells as a Model to Study Platelet Aggregation and Secretion
Developed under the guidance of Dr. Stephen P. Holly , College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Platelets are essential regulators of the vasculature. Many platelet proteins such as Munc18b play a vital role in platelet secretion, which enhances platelet aggregation. Munc18b is essential for platelet secretion and aggregation, but its role in megakaryocytes is not well established. Therefore, we hypothesize that secretion in a megakaryocyte-like cell line, CMK11-5, depends on Munc18b as it does in platelets. We will test this hypothesis using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing to knock down Munc18b in CMK11-5 cells and test aggregation, secretion and P-selectin expression. These experiments will determine whether these cells are a suitable model for platelet secretion in vitro.