Project description:Circulating nucleic acids are present in plasma and are derived from a range of cell types, mainly cells of hematopoietic origin, enabling their use as biomarkers for diseases involving these cell types. Using cell type-specific methylation markers, we determined that megakaryocytes are major contributors to cfDNA (~26%), while erythroblasts contribute 1-4% of cfDNA in healthy individuals. Additionally, we identified megakaryocyte-derived DNA within platelets, providing non-invasive access to the megakaryocyte genome and epigenome. Analysis of cfDNA in women who have received male platelet transfusions indicates that megakaryocyte-derived cfDNA does not originate from platelets but is rather released directly from megakaryocytes. The concentration of megakaryocyte-derived cfDNA is elevated in individuals with pathologies involving increased platelet production (Essential Thrombocythemia, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) and decreased by bone marrow suppression (due to chemotherapy), while erythrocyte progenitor cfDNA is elevated in patients with Thalassemia. Megakaryocyte- and erythroblast-specific DNA methylation patterns may serve as novel biomarkers for pathologies involving increased or decreased thrombopoiesis and erythropoiesis.
Project description:Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments are a biological analyte with extensive utility in diagnostic medicine. Understanding the source of cfDNA and mechanisms of release is crucial for designing and interpreting cfDNA-based liquid biopsy assays. Using cell type-specific methylation markers as well as genome-wide methylation analysis, we determine that megakaryocytes, the precursors of anuclear platelets, are major contributors to cfDNA (~26%), while erythroblasts contribute 1-4% of cfDNA in healthy individuals. Surprisingly, we discover that platelets contain genomic DNA fragments originating in megakaryocytes, contrary to the general understanding that platelets lack genomic DNA. Megakaryocyte-derived cfDNA is increased in pathologies involving increased platelet production (Essential Thrombocythemia, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) and decreased upon reduced platelet production due to chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression. Similarly, erythroblast cfDNA is reflective of erythrocyte production and is elevated in patients with thalassemia. Megakaryocyte- and erythroblast-specific DNA methylation patterns can thus serve as biomarkers for pathologies involving increased or decreased thrombopoiesis and erythropoiesis, which can aid in determining the etiology of aberrant levels of erythrocytes and platelets.
Project description:The TAR DNA Binding Protein (TDP-43) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of human neurodegenerative diseases and exhibits hallmark neuropathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we explore its tractability as a plasma biomarker of disease and describe its localization and possible functions in the cytosol of platelets. Novel TDP-43 immunoassays were developed on three different technical platforms and qualified for specificity, signal-noise ratio, detection range, variation, spike recovery and dilution linearity in human plasma samples. Fractionation studies revealed that >95% of plasma TDP-43 protein [RL1] was located within the platelet cytosol, together with numerous RNAs. Platelet-derived TDP-43 exhibits TDP-43 proteoforms detected in neurodegenerative diseases, TARDBP RNA splice variants and TDP-43 RNA targets found in the central nervous system (CNS). We propose that TDP-43 serves similar functional roles in platelets and synapses, suggesting that the study of platelet TDP-43 might provide a window into TDP-43 proteinopathies within the CNS. The restricted compartmentalization of plasma TDP-43 in platelets provides a highly concentrated substrate for further biochemical analyses. Moreover, our results suggest that current plasma biobanking protocols are subject to considerable heterogeneity in platelet recovery and measurements of TDP-43 in plasma.
Project description:We profiled gene expression of pelleted material containing platelets from frozen plasma of healthy controls and ME/CFS cases for bulk RNA-seq, collected before and 24h after participants conducted a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).
Project description:Dnm2fl/fl Pf4-Cre (Dnm2Plt-/-) mice lacking the endocytic GTPase dynamin 2 (DNM2) in platelets and megakaryocytes (MKs) develop hallmarks of myelofibrosis. At the cellular level, the tyrosine kinase JAK2 is constitutively active but decreased in expression in Dnm2Plt-/- platelets. Additionally, Dnm2Plt-/- platelets cannot endocytose the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor Mpl, leading to elevated circulating TPO levels. Here, we assessed whether the hyperproliferative phenotype of Dnm2Plt-/- mice was due to JAK2 constitutive activation or elevated circulating TPO levels. In unstimulated Dnm2Plt-/- platelets, STAT3 and to a lower extent STAT5 were phosphorylated, but their phosphorylation was slowed and diminished upon TPO stimulation. We further crossed Dnm2Plt-/- mice in the Mpl-/- background to generate Mpl-/- Dnm2Plt-/- mice lacking Mpl ubiquitously and DNM2 in platelets and MKs. Mpl-/- Dnm2Plt-/- platelets had severely reduced JAK2 and STAT3 but normal STAT5 expression. Mpl-/- Dnm2Plt-/- mice had severely reduced bone marrow MK and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell numbers. Additionally, Mpl-/- Dnm2Plt-/- mice had severe erythroblast maturation defects, decreased expression of hemoglobin and heme homeostasis genes, increased expression of ribosome biogenesis and protein translation genes, and developed anemia with grossly elevated plasma erythropoietin levels, leading to early fatality by postnatal day 25. Mpl-/- Dnm2Plt+/+ mice had impaired EB development at three weeks of age, which normalized with adulthood. Together, the data shows that DNM2-dependent Mpl-mediated endocytosis in platelets and MKs is required for steady-state hematopoiesis and provides novel insights into a developmentally controlled role for Mpl in normal erythropoiesis, regulating hemoglobin and heme production.
Project description:We developed a novel differentiation system that directionally induces hESCs into megakaryocytes and functional platelet in vitro by highly mimicking the in vivo developmental process of megakaryocytes and platelets. We then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained by RNA-seq at different stages of differentiation during the differentiation of hESCs into megakaryocyte lineages.
Project description:Post-transcriptional and translational controls mediated by microRNAs (miRNA) regulate diverse biological processes and disease. We systematically dissected regulatory effects of miRNAs relevant to megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet biology by analyzing expression patterns in 79 subjects with thrombocytosis and healthy controls, and integrated these data with transcriptomic and proteomic platforms. We identified and validated a unique 21-miRNA genetic fingerprint associated with thrombocytosis, and demonstrated that a discrete 3-member subset effectively defines ET phenotypes. The genetic signature includes functional guide and passenger strands of the previously-uncharacterized miR 490 (5p and 3p), both of which displayed restricted, low-level expression in megakaryocytes/platelets (compared to leukocytes), and aberrant expression during thrombocytosis, most profound in essential thrombocythemia (ET). Overexpression of miR 490 in a bilineage differentiation model of megakaryocyte/erythroid progenitor formation was insufficient for hematopoietic stem cell colony differentiation and/or lineage specification. Systematic integration of transcriptomic and mass spectrometric datasets with functional reporter assays identified dishevelled associated activator of morphogenesis 1 (DAAM1) as a unique miR 490 5p protein target demonstrating decreased expression in ET platelets, putatively modulated by translational control (and not by mRNA target degradation). Our data define a dysregulated miRNA fingerprint in thrombocytosis, and collectively support a developmentally-restricted function of miR 490 (and its putative DAAM1 target) to conditions associated with exaggerated megakaryocytopoiesis and/or proplatelet formation. Human platelets from a total of 79 samples in 3 phenotypic groups: essential thrombocythemia (ET, N =27), reactive thrombocytosis (RT, N=22) and healthy controls (NO, N=30) were measured on array platform
Project description:Platelets are anucleate cytoplasmic fragments that lack genomic DNA, but continue to synthesize protein using a pool of mRNAs, ribosomes, and regulatory small RNAs inherited from the precursor megakaryocyte (MK). The regulatory processes that shape the platelet transcriptome and the full scope of platelet translation have remained elusive. Using RNA-Seq and ribosome profiling of primary human platelets, we show the platelet transcriptome encompasses a subset of transcripts detected by RNA-Seq analysis of in vitro derived MK cells and these platelet-enriched transcripts are broadly occupied by ribosomes. We use RNA sequencing of synchronized populations of in vitro derived platelet-like particles (PLPs) to show that mRNA decay strongly shapes the nascent platelet transcriptome. Our data suggests that the decay of platelet mRNAs is slowed by the natural loss of the mRNA surveillance and ribosome rescue factor Pelota (PELO).
Project description:Mutations of SMAD family member 4 (Smad4) gene caused Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT). It was believed that bleeding disorders were caused by arteriovenous malformation in this syndrome. Although several studies indicated dysfunction of platelets from HHT patient, the role(s) of smad4 in platelet function has not been examined. In this study, using megakaryocyte/platelet-specific Smad4-deficient mice, we investigated the physiological function of Smad4 in platelet activation and the underlying mechanism. Microarray data demonstrated that the level of mRNA for multiple genes changed in Smad4 deficient platelet. For microarray analysis, total mRNA was extracted from washed platelets from Smad4f/f or Smad4M-bM-^HM-^R/M-bM-^HM-^R mice (for each group, n=6). mRNA was labeled and hybridized to Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 2.0 chips according to manufacturer's instructions (Affymetrix).
Project description:Megakaryocyte (MK) differentiation is well described in morphologic terms but its molecular counterparts and the basis for platelet release are incompletely understood. We profiled mRNA expression in populations of primary mouse MKs representing successive differentiation stages. Genes associated with DNA replication are highly expressed in young MKs, in parallel with endomitosis. Intermediate stages are characterized by disproportionate expression of genes associated with the cytoskeleton, cell migration and G-protein signaling, whereas terminally mature MKs accumulate hemostatic factors, including many membrane proteins. We used these expression profiles to extract a reliable panel of molecular markers for MKs of early, intermediate or advanced differentiation, and establish its value using mouse models of defective thrombopoiesis resulting from absence of GATA-1, NF-E2 or tubulinß1. Computational analysis of the promoters of late-expressed MK genes identified new candidate targets for NF-E2, a critical transcriptional regulator of platelet release. One such gene encodes the kinase adaptor protein LIMS1/PINCH1, which is highly expressed in MKs and platelets and significantly reduced in NF-E2-deficient cells. Transactivation studies and chromatin immunoprecipitation implicate Lims1 as a direct target of NF-E2 regulation. Attribution of stagespecific genes, in combination with various applications, thus constitutes a powerful way to study MK differentiation and platelet biogenesis Keywords: expression profiling differentiation megakaryocyte