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Minciuna I, Taru MG, Procopet B, Stefanescu H. The Interplay between Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells, Platelets, and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Development and Progression of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1406. [PMID: 38592258 PMCID: PMC10932189 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a societal burden due to the lack of effective treatment and incomplete pathophysiology understanding. This review explores the intricate connections among liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), platelets, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and coagulation disruptions in MASLD pathogenesis. In MASLD's early stages, LSECs undergo capillarization and dysfunction due to excessive dietary macronutrients and gut-derived products. Capillarization leads to ischemic changes in hepatocytes, triggering pro-inflammatory responses in Kupffer cells (KCs) and activating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Capillarized LSECs show a pro-inflammatory phenotype through adhesion molecule overexpression, autophagy loss, and increased cytokines production. Platelet interaction favors leucocyte recruitment, NETs formation, and liver inflammatory foci. Liver fibrosis is facilitated by reduced nitric oxide, HSC activation, profibrogenic mediators, and increased angiogenesis. Moreover, platelet attachment, activation, α-granule cargo release, and NETs formation contribute to MASLD progression. Platelets foster fibrosis and microthrombosis, leading to parenchymal extinction and fibrotic healing. Additionally, platelets promote tumor growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and tumor cell metastasis. MASLD's prothrombotic features are exacerbated by insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity, manifesting as increased von Willebrand factor, platelet hyperaggregability, hypo-fibrinolysis, and a prothrombotic fibrin clot structure. Improving LSEC health and using antiplatelet treatment appear promising for preventing MASLD development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Minciuna
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (H.S.)
- Deaprtment IV, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Madalina Gabriela Taru
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (H.S.)
- Deaprtment IV, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan Procopet
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (H.S.)
- Deaprtment IV, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Horia Stefanescu
- Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (H.S.)
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Song G, Zhang Y, Gao H, Fu Y, Chen Y, Yin Y, Xu K. Differences in Immune Characteristics and Related Gene Expression in Spleen among Ningxiang, Berkshire Breeds and Their Hybrid Pigs. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:205. [PMID: 38397195 PMCID: PMC10888219 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
To investigate the differential immunology in Ningxiang and Berkshire pigs and their F1 offspring (F1 offspring), physiological and biochemical indicators in the plasma and spleen were analyzed. Then, transcriptomic analysis of the spleen identified 1348, 408, and 207 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in comparisons of Ningxiang vs. Berkshire, Berkshire vs. F1 offspring, and Ningxiang vs. F1 offspring, respectively. In Ningxiang vs. Berkshire pigs, the gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that the DEGs included CD163, MARCO, CXCL14, CCL19, and PPBP, which are associated with immunity. GO and KEGG analyses were also conducted comparing F1 offspring and their parents. The DEGs, including BPIFB1, HAVCR2, CD163, DDX3X, CCR5, and ITGB3, were enriched in immune-related pathways. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis indicated that the EGFR and ITGA2 genes were key hub genes. In conclusion, this study identifies significant immune DEGs in different pig breeds, providing data to support the exploration of breeding strategies for disease resistance in local and crossbred pig populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (G.S.); (Y.Z.); (H.G.); (Y.F.)
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Yuebo Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (G.S.); (Y.Z.); (H.G.); (Y.F.)
| | - Hu Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (G.S.); (Y.Z.); (H.G.); (Y.F.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China;
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Yawei Fu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (G.S.); (Y.Z.); (H.G.); (Y.F.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China;
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Agricultural Biogenomics, Changsha Medical University, Changsha 410219, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China;
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Agricultural Biogenomics, Changsha Medical University, Changsha 410219, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China;
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Kang Xu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China;
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Agricultural Biogenomics, Changsha Medical University, Changsha 410219, China
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Malladi N, Alam MJ, Maulik SK, Banerjee SK. The role of platelets in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: From pathophysiology to therapeutics. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2023; 169:106766. [PMID: 37479133 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2023.106766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Platelets are one of the key mediators in thrombosis as well as in the progression of many diseases. An increase in platelet activation and a decrease in platelet count is associated with a plethora of liver diseases. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), platelets are highly activated and participate in the disease progression by enhancing the pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory state. Some altered platelet parameters such as mean platelet volume, plateletcrits, and platelet distribution width, aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index, liver stiffness to platelet ratio and red cell distribution width to platelet ratio were found to be associated with NAFLD disease. Further, platelet contributes to the progression of cardiovascular complications in NAFLD is gaining the researcher's attention. An elevated mean platelet volume is known to enhance the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and myocardial infarction in NAFLD. Evidence also suggested that modulation in platelet function using aspirin, ticlopidine, and cilostazol help in controlling the NAFLD progression. Future research should focus on antiplatelet therapy as a treatment strategy that can control platelet activation in NAFLD as well as its cardiovascular risk. In the present review, we have detailed the role of platelets in NAFLD and its cardiovascular complications. We further aimed to highlight the growing need for antiplatelet therapy in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navya Malladi
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India
| | - Md Jahangir Alam
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India; Cell Biology and Physiology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Subir K Maulik
- Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Sanjay K Banerjee
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India.
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Airola C, Pallozzi M, Cerrito L, Santopaolo F, Stella L, Gasbarrini A, Ponziani FR. Microvascular Thrombosis and Liver Fibrosis Progression: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications. Cells 2023; 12:1712. [PMID: 37443746 PMCID: PMC10341358 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is an unavoidable consequence of chronic inflammation. Extracellular matrix deposition by fibroblasts, stimulated by multiple pathways, is the first step in the onset of chronic liver disease, and its propagation promotes liver dysfunction. At the same time, chronic liver disease is characterized by alterations in primary and secondary hemostasis but unlike previously thought, these changes are not associated with an increased risk of bleeding complications. In recent years, the role of coagulation imbalance has been postulated as one of the main mechanisms promoting hepatic fibrogenesis. In this review, we aim to investigate the function of microvascular thrombosis in the progression of liver disease and highlight the molecular and cellular networks linking hemostasis to fibrosis in this context. We analyze the predictive and prognostic role of coagulation products as biomarkers of liver decompensation (ascites, variceal hemorrhage, and hepatic encephalopathy) and liver-related mortality. Finally, we evaluate the current evidence on the application of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies for prophylaxis of hepatic decompensation or prevention of the progression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Airola
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Maria Pallozzi
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Lucia Cerrito
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Francesco Santopaolo
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Leonardo Stella
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.P.); (L.C.); (F.S.); (L.S.); (A.G.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Grossini E, Smirne C, Venkatesan S, Tonello S, D'Onghia D, Minisini R, Cantaluppi V, Sainaghi PP, Comi C, Tanzi A, Bussolati B, Pirisi M. Plasma Pattern of Extracellular Vesicles Isolated from Hepatitis C Virus Patients and Their Effects on Human Vascular Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10197. [PMID: 37373343 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as pathogenic factors for the onset of HCV-related endothelial dysfunction. Sixty-five patients with various stages of HCV-related chronic liver disease were enrolled in this case series. Plasma EVs were characterized and used to stimulate human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC), which were examined for cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release. The results showed that EVs from HCV patients were mainly of endothelial and lymphocyte origin. Moreover, EVs were able to reduce cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential of HUVEC, while increasing ROS release. Those harmful effects were reduced by the pretreatment of HUVEC with the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)/AMP-activated protein kinase and protein kinase B blockers. In conclusion, in HCV patients, we could highlight a circulating pattern of EVs capable of inducing damage to the endothelium. These data represent a novel possible pathogenic mechanism underlying the reported increase of CVD occurrence in HCV infection and could be of clinical relevance also in relation to the widespread use of antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Grossini
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Carlo Smirne
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Sakthipriyan Venkatesan
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Stelvio Tonello
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Davide D'Onghia
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Rosalba Minisini
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cantaluppi
- Nephrology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Sainaghi
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- CAAD-Center for Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, and IRCAD-Interdisciplinary Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Cristoforo Comi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Sant'Andrea Hospital, 13100 Vercelli, Italy
| | - Adele Tanzi
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Benedetta Bussolati
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Maggiore della Carità Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
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Nelaturi P, Kademani SP, Siva Subramanian V, Ravikumar S. Noninvasive Biomarkers for Alcohol-Related Liver Disease—A Proteomic Related Preliminary Report. Indian J Clin Biochem 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12291-023-01120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
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Menter DG, Bresalier RS. An Aspirin a Day: New Pharmacological Developments and Cancer Chemoprevention. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:165-186. [PMID: 36202092 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-052020-023107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Chemoprevention refers to the use of natural or synthetic agents to reverse, suppress, or prevent the progression or recurrence of cancer. A large body of preclinical and clinical data suggest the ability of aspirin to prevent precursor lesions and cancers, but much of the clinical data are inferential and based on descriptive epidemiology, case control, and cohort studies or studies designed to answer other questions (e.g., cardiovascular mortality). Multiple pharmacological, clinical, and epidemiologic studies suggest that aspirin can prevent certain cancers but may also cause other effects depending on the tissue or disease and organ site in question. The best-known biological targets of aspirin are cyclooxygenases, which drive a wide variety of functions, including hemostasis, inflammation, and immune modulation. Newly recognized molecular and cellular interactions suggest additional modifiable functional targets, and the existence of consensus molecular cancer subtypes suggests that aspirin may have differential effects based on tumor heterogeneity. This review focuses on new pharmacological developments and innovations in biopharmacology that clarify the potential role of aspirin in cancer chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Menter
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert S Bresalier
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA;
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High visceral adipose tissue area is independently associated with early allograft dysfunction in liver transplantation recipients: a propensity score analysis. Insights Imaging 2022; 13:165. [PMID: 36219263 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-022-01302-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the association between adipose tissue distribution and early allograft dysfunction (EAD) in liver transplantation (LT) recipients. METHODS A total of 175 patients who received LT from April 2015 to September 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The areas of abdominal adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of all patients were measured based on the preoperative CT images. The appropriate statistical methods including the propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis were performed to identify the association between adipose tissue distribution and EAD. RESULTS Of 175 LT recipients, 55 patients (31.4%) finally developed EAD. The multivariate logistic analysis revealed that preoperative serum albumin (odds ratio (OR) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.70), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.18-4.79), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.56-6.43) were independent associated with EAD. After PSM analysis, VAT area was still significantly associated with EAD (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.16-13.51). In survival analysis, no significant difference was identified in one-year graft failure (log-rank: p = 0.487), and conversely result was identified in overall survival (OS) (log-rank: p = 0.012; hazard ratio (HR) 4.10, 95% CI 1.27-13.16). CONCLUSIONS LT recipients with high VAT area have higher risk for the occurrence of EAD, and high VAT area might have certain clinical value for predicting the poor OS of patients. For LT candidates with large amount of VAT, the clinicians can take clinical interventions by suggesting physical and nutritional treatments to improve outcomes after LT.
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Platelet Activation in Ovarian Cancer Ascites: Assessment of GPIIb/IIIa and PF4 in Small Extracellular Vesicles by Nano-Flow Cytometry Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174100. [PMID: 36077635 PMCID: PMC9454670 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Platelets play a critical role in coagulation and fibrinolysis processes, but recent literature also indicates their central involvement in immune response, cancer progression and metastasis. During platelet activation, small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released. The ascites are a fluid developing in the peritoneum of ovarian cancer patients in an advanced stage. This study analysed the expression of platelet markers GPIIb/IIIa and PF4 in small-EVs populations isolated from the ascitic fluid of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The percentage of platelet-derived small-EVs was positively correlated with platelet distribution width to platelet count in sera (PDW/PLT), a surrogate indicator of platelet activation. Overall, we presented a method that can be helpful in future studies to determine the correlation between the extent of platelet activation in ascites and disease status. Abstract In ovarian cancer, ascites represent the microenvironment in which the platelets extravasate to play their role in the disease progression. We aimed to develop an assay to measure ascites’ platelet activation. We enriched small extracellular vesicles (EVs) (40–200 nm) from ascites of high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer patients (n = 12) using precipitation with polyethylene glycol, and we conducted single-particle phenotyping analysis by nano-flow cytometry after labelling and ultra-centrifugation. Atomic force microscopy single-particle nanomechanical analysis showed heterogeneous distributions in the size of the precipitated particles and their mechanical stiffness. Samples were fluorescently labelled with antibodies specific to the platelet markers GPIIb/IIIa and PF4, showing 2.6 to 18.16% of all particles stained positive for the biomarkers and, simultaneously, the EV membrane labelling. Single-particle phenotyping analysis allowed us to quantify the total number of non-EV particles, the number of small-EVs and the number of platelet-derived small-EVs, providing a platelet activation assessment independent of the ascites volume. The percentage of platelet-derived small-EVs was positively correlated with platelet distribution width to platelet count in sera (PDW/PLT). Overall, we presented a high-throughput method that can be helpful in future studies to determine the correlation between the extent of platelet activation in ascites and disease status.
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