Platelet RNA as a circulating biomarker trove for cancer diagnostics
M G Best1,2,3, A Vancura1,3, T Wurdinger1,3,4
1Department of Neurosurgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis : JTH
|July 4, 2017
Summary
Platelets, small blood cell fragments, actively respond to disease by altering their RNA content. This dynamic change in platelet RNA offers potential as biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring various diseases.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Platelets are crucial for hemostasis, immune response, and vascular remodeling.
- Cancer cells influence platelet function and RNA content, potentially promoting metastasis.
- Platelets contain diverse RNA species (mRNAs, small non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs) whose functions are under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on platelet RNA families and processing.
- To explore the potential of platelet RNA as disease biomarkers.
- To highlight how pathological conditions dynamically alter platelet RNA.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on platelet RNA.
- Analysis of high-throughput characterization of platelet mRNAs in disease.
- Discussion of platelet RNA processing and functionality.
Main Results:
- Platelets are 'educated' by their environment, including cancer cells, altering their transcriptome.
- Intraplatelet signaling leads to pre-mRNA splicing and cytokine secretion.
- Pathological conditions significantly alter platelet mRNA levels (10 to >1000 changes).
Conclusions:
- Platelet RNA content is dynamically modulated by disease states.
- Platelet RNA holds promise as diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and monitoring biomarkers.
- Further research is needed to fully understand platelet RNA functionality.
