PKC-epsilon deficiency alters progenitor cell populations in favor of megakaryopoiesis

Background It has long been postulated that Protein Kinase C (PKC) is an important regulator of megakaryopoiesis. Recent contributions to the literature have outlined the functions of several individual PKC isoforms with regard to megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production. However, the exact role of PKCe remains elusive. Objective To delineate the role of PKCe in megakaryopoiesis. Approach and results We used a PKCe knockout mouse model to examine the effect of PKCe deficiency on platelet mass, megakaryocyte mass, and bone marrow progenitor cell distribution. We also investigated platelet recovery in PKCe null mice and TPO-mediated signaling in PKCe null megakaryocytes. PKCe null mice have higher platelet counts due to increased platelet production compared to WT littermate controls (p