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Updated: May 11, 2025

Targeted RNA Sequencing Assay to Characterize Gene Expression and Genomic Alterations
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Targeted RNA Sequencing Assay to Characterize Gene Expression and Genomic Alterations

Published on: August 4, 2016

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Alterations in RNA Expression Profile Following S. aureus and S. epidermidis Inoculation into Platelet Concentrates

Jae Kwon Kim1, Taewon Kang1,2, Youngeun Kweon1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Microbial contamination of platelet concentrates (PC) is a transfusion risk. Gene expression analysis identified potential biomarkers, like H19 and A2M, for detecting staphylococcal contamination in PCs.

Area of Science:

  • Transfusion Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Microbial contamination of platelet concentrates (PC) poses a significant risk in transfusion medicine.
  • Current detection methods require improvement for timely and accurate identification of contaminants.
  • Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis presents a novel approach for biomarker discovery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify potential gene expression biomarkers for detecting microbial contamination in platelet concentrates.
  • To investigate the host response to Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis contamination in PCs.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic potential of identified DEGs for staphylococcal contamination.

Main Methods:

  • Platelet concentrates were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis at 10^3 CFU/mL.
  • Total RNA was extracted at 0, 1, 3, and 6 hours post-inoculation for high-throughput RNA sequencing.
  • Differentially expressed gene (DEG), gene enrichment, pathway, and ROC analyses were performed.

Main Results:

  • 5884 and 974 DEGs were identified in S. aureus and S. epidermidis samples, respectively.
  • Distinct pathway enrichments were observed: ribosomal/spliceosome for S. aureus, and MAPK/NK cell pathways for S. epidermidis.
  • Genes H19, CAVIN1, A2M, and EPAS1 showed significant diagnostic potential (AUC > 0.8) for staphylococcal contamination.

Conclusions:

  • Host gene expression changes in platelet concentrates can serve as biomarkers for microbial contamination.
  • Specific genes like H19, CAVIN1, A2M, and EPAS1 show promise for detecting staphylococcal contamination.
  • Further research with diverse microbial species is needed to validate these findings for broader application.
Keywords:
RNA-sequencingapheresis plateletbacteriablood product contaminationdifferential gene expressionplatelet concentrates

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