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Fazzalari A, Basadonna G, Kucukural A, Tanriverdi K, Koupenova M, Pozzi N, Kakuturu J, Friedrich AKU, Korstanje R, Fowler N, Belant JL, Beyer DE, Brooks MB, Dickson EW, Blackwood M, Mueller C, Palesty JA, Freedman JE, Cahan MA. A Translational Model for Venous Thromboembolism: MicroRNA Expression in Hibernating Black Bears. J Surg Res 2021; 257:203-212. [PMID: 32858321 PMCID: PMC11026106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hibernating American black bears have significantly different clotting parameters than their summer active counterparts, affording them protection against venous thromboembolism during prolonged periods of immobility. We sought to evaluate if significant differences exist between the expression of microRNAs in the plasma of hibernating black bears compared with their summer active counterparts, potentially contributing to differences in hemostasis during hibernation. MATERIALS AND METHODS MicroRNA sequencing was assessed in plasma from 21 American black bears in summer active (n = 11) and hibernating states (n = 10), and microRNA signatures during hibernating and active state were established using both bear and human genome. MicroRNA targets were predicted using messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts from black bear kidney cells. In vitro studies were performed to confirm the relationship between identified microRNAs and mRNA expression, using artificial microRNA and human liver cells. RESULTS Using the bear genome, we identified 15 microRNAs differentially expressed in the plasma of hibernating black bears. Of these microRNAs, three were significantly downregulated (miR-141-3p, miR-200a-3p, and miR-200c-3p), were predicted to target SERPINC1, the gene for antithrombin, and demonstrated regulatory control of the gene mRNA expression in cell studies. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the hibernating black bears' ability to maintain hemostasis and achieve protection from venous thromboembolism during prolonged periods of immobility may be due to changes in microRNA signatures and possible upregulation of antithrombin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Fazzalari
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts; The Stanley J. Dudrick Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Connecticut
| | - Giacomo Basadonna
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Alper Kucukural
- Bioinformatics Core, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts; Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Kahraman Tanriverdi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Milka Koupenova
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Natalie Pozzi
- The Stanley J. Dudrick Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Connecticut
| | - Jahnavi Kakuturu
- The Stanley J. Dudrick Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Connecticut
| | | | - Ron Korstanje
- The Korstanje Lab, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - Nicholas Fowler
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York
| | - Jerrold L Belant
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York
| | - Dean E Beyer
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Marquette, Michigan
| | - Marjory B Brooks
- Comparative Coagulation Section, Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Ithaca, New York
| | - Eric W Dickson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Meghan Blackwood
- Mueller Lab for Gene Therapy, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Chris Mueller
- Mueller Lab for Gene Therapy, Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - J Alexander Palesty
- The Stanley J. Dudrick Department of Surgery, Saint Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Connecticut
| | - Jane E Freedman
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Mitchell A Cahan
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.
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Identification and characterization of a novel variant in C-terminal region of Antithrombin (Ala427Thr) associated with type II AT deficiency leading to polymer formation. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2020; 50:678-685. [PMID: 32020514 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-020-02048-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Antithrombin (AT) deficiency is a rare but strong risk factor for the thrombosis development. Mutations in gene encoding AT (SERPINC1) have provided a detailed understanding of AT deficiency and subsequent development of thrombotic complications. In the present study, we describe a case of thrombotic patient with reduced AT activity and normal AT antigen levels. AT deficiency in the patient was explained by the presence of heterozygous mutation g.13397A>G (Ala427Thr) in exon 6 of SERPINC1. Reduced APTT and TT with normal PT were observed. The mutation was found to be absent in healthy controls (n = 62). In vitro purification and characterization of variant AT showed significant decrease in fluorescence emission intensity, decreased bis-ANS fluorescence emission, changes in secondary structure and presence of polymerized AT in patient's plasma as assessed by fluorescence, circular dichroism and transmission electron microscopy respectively. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation studies showed altered conformation due to Ala427Thr substitution. Our study shows that genetic screening should be carried out in AT deficient patients in addition to the routinely used functional assays to understand the molecular basis of disease development.
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