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Routine Screening Method for Microparticles in Platelet Transfusions
Published on: January 31, 2018
Computational Identification and Characterization of New microRNAs in Human Platelets Stored in a Blood Bank
Jersey Heitor da Silva Maués1,2, Caroline de Fátima Aquino Moreira-Nunes3, Rommel Mário Rodriguez Burbano1,2
1Laboratory of Human Cytogenetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil.
Abstract:
Platelet concentrate (PC) transfusions are widely used to save the lives of patients who experience acute blood loss. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) comprise a class of molecules with a biological role which is relevant to the understanding of storage lesions in blood banks. We used a new approach to identify miRNAs in normal human platelet sRNA-Seq data from the GSE61856 repository. We identified a comprehensive miRNA expression profile, where we detected 20 of these transcripts potentially expressed in PCs stored for seven days, which had their expression levels analyzed with simulations of computational biology. Our results identified a new collection of miRNAs (miR-486-5p, miR-92a-3p, miR-103a-3p, miR-151a-3p, miR-181a-5p, and miR-221-3p) that showed a sensitivity expression pattern due to biological platelet changes during storage, confirmed by additional quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) validation on 100 PC units from 500 healthy donors. We also identified that these miRNAs could transfer regulatory information on platelets, such as members of the let-7 family, by regulating the YOD1 gene, which is a deubiquitinating enzyme highly expressed in platelet hyperactivity. Our results also showed that the target genes of these miRNAs play important roles in signaling pathways, cell cycle, stress response, platelet activation and cancer. In summary, the miRNAs described in this study, have a promising application in transfusion medicine as potential biomarkers to also measure the quality and viability of the PC during storage in blood banks.
Insights
Researchers identified novel microRNAs (miRNAs) in stored platelet concentrates that change with storage time. These miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for platelet quality and viability in transfusion medicine.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Platelet concentrates (PCs) are critical for managing acute blood loss.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in understanding storage lesions in blood products.
- Identifying molecular changes during PC storage is essential for transfusion safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel microRNAs (miRNAs) in human platelet samples.
- To analyze miRNA expression profiles in stored platelet concentrates.
- To investigate the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for PC quality.
Main Methods:
- Utilized next-generation sequencing (sRNA-Seq) on human platelet data.
- Employed computational biology simulations for miRNA expression analysis.
- Validated miRNA expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on 100 PC units.
Main Results:
- Identified a comprehensive miRNA expression profile in stored PCs.
- Detected 20 potentially expressed miRNAs in PCs stored for seven days.
- Discovered specific miRNAs (e.g., miR-486-5p, miR-92a-3p) with expression patterns sensitive to storage-induced platelet changes.
- Showed miRNA regulatory transfer, including let-7 family members regulating the YOD1 gene.
- Target genes of identified miRNAs are involved in platelet activation, cell cycle, and cancer pathways.
Conclusions:
- A novel set of miRNAs are sensitive to biological changes in platelets during storage.
- These miRNAs demonstrate potential as biomarkers for assessing platelet concentrate quality and viability.
- Findings contribute to advancing transfusion medicine through improved storage monitoring.
