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Published on: January 31, 2018
Detection of Sepsis in Platelets Using MicroRNAs and Membrane Antigens
Priscilla Cristina Moura Vieira Corrêa1,2, Débora Monteiro Carneiro1, Luciana do Socorro da Silva Valente2
1Molecular Biology Laboratory, Ophir Loyola Hospital, Belém 66063-240, PA, Brazil.
Abstract:
The present study proposes to legitimize in sepsis a characteristic found in platelets that suffer storage lesions in blood banks, which is the increased expression of miRNA miR-320a in relation to miR-127. Under physiologically normal conditions, an inverse relationship is observed. The aim of this study was to verify whether the analysis of miR-320a and miR-127 expression in platelets could detect a decrease in their viability and function due to the presence of pathogens in the blood of patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit. We also investigated the expression of membrane antigens sensitive to platelet activation. Of the 200 patients analyzed, only those who developed sepsis (140) were found to have a higher relative quantity of miR-320a than that of miR-127. This characteristic and the increased expression of membrane antigens P2Y12, CD62P, CD41, and CD61 showed a significant association (p < 0.01) with all types of sepsis evaluated in this study. Additionally, 40% of patients hospitalized for sepsis had negative results for the first cultures. We conclude that analysis of miR-127 and miR-320a expression combined with membrane antigens evaluation, in association with the available clinical and diagnostic parameters, are important tools to detect the onset of sepsis.
Insights
Sepsis diagnosis can be improved by analyzing platelet microRNA (miRNA) levels. Increased miR-320a relative to miR-127 in platelets signals decreased viability and function, aiding early sepsis detection.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Platelets exhibit storage lesions in blood banks, characterized by altered microRNA (miRNA) expression.
- Under normal physiological conditions, miR-320a and miR-127 show an inverse expression relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if platelet miR-320a and miR-127 expression can detect decreased platelet viability and function in sepsis patients.
- To assess the expression of platelet activation-sensitive membrane antigens in sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of miR-320a and miR-127 expression in platelets from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.
- Investigation of membrane antigen expression (P2Y12, CD62P, CD41, CD61) in platelets.
- Correlation of miRNA expression and antigen levels with sepsis diagnosis.
Main Results:
- A higher relative quantity of miR-320a compared to miR-127 was observed in 140 sepsis patients out of 200 analyzed.
- Increased expression of membrane antigens P2Y12, CD62P, CD41, and CD61 was significantly associated with all evaluated sepsis types (p < 0.01).
- 40% of sepsis patients had negative initial blood cultures, highlighting the need for alternative diagnostic markers.
Conclusions:
- Platelet miR-127 and miR-320a expression analysis, combined with membrane antigen evaluation, aids in detecting sepsis onset.
- These molecular markers, alongside clinical parameters, offer valuable tools for early sepsis diagnosis, especially when cultures are negative.
