Translating genomic tools to Raman spectroscopy analysis enables high-dimensional tissue characterization on molecular resolution.

Spatial transcriptomics of histological sections have revolutionized research in life sciences and enabled unprecedented insights into genetic processes involved in tissue reorganization. However, in contrast to genomic analysis, the actual biomolecular composition of the sample has fallen behind, leaving a gap of potentially highly valuable information. Raman microspectroscopy provides untargeted spatiomolecular information at high resolution, capable of filling this gap. In this study we demonstrate spatially resolved Raman "spectromics" to reveal homogeneity, heterogeneity and dynamics of cell matrix on molecular levels by repurposing state-of-the-art bioinformatic analysis tools commonly used for transcriptomic analyses. By exploring sections of murine myocardial infarction and cardiac hypertrophy, we identify myocardial subclusters when spatially approaching the pathology, and define the surrounding metabolic and cellular (immune-) landscape. Our innovative, label-free, non-invasive "spectromics" approach could therefore open perspectives for a profound characterization of histological samples, while additionally allowing the combination with consecutive downstream analyses of the very same specimen.

ACKR3 regulates platelet activation and ischemia-reperfusion tissue injury.

Platelet activation plays a critical role in thrombosis. Inhibition of platelet activation is a cornerstone in treatment of acute organ ischemia. Platelet ACKR3 surface expression is independently associated with all-cause mortality in CAD patients. In a novel genetic mouse strain, we show that megakaryocyte/platelet-specific deletion of ACKR3 results in enhanced platelet activation and thrombosis in vitro and in vivo. Further, we performed ischemia/reperfusion experiments (transient LAD-ligation and tMCAO) in mice to assess the impact of genetic ACKR3 deficiency in platelets on tissue injury in ischemic myocardium and brain. Loss of platelet ACKR3 enhances tissue injury in ischemic myocardium and brain and aggravates tissue inflammation. Activation of platelet-ACKR3 via specific ACKR3 agonists inhibits platelet activation and thrombus formation and attenuates tissue injury in ischemic myocardium and brain. Here we demonstrate that ACKR3 is a critical regulator of platelet activation, thrombus formation and organ injury following ischemia/reperfusion.

The chemokine CXCL14 mediates platelet function and migration via direct interaction with CXCR4.

AIMS: Beyond classical roles in thrombosis and haemostasis, it becomes increasingly clear that platelets contribute as key players to inflammatory processes. The involvement of platelets in these processes is often mediated through a variety of platelet-derived chemokines which are released upon activation and act as paracrine and autocrine factors. In this study, we investigate CXCL14, a newly described platelet chemokine and its role in thrombus formation as well as monocyte and platelet migration. In addition, we examine the chemokine receptor CXCR4 as a possible receptor for CXCL14 on platelets. Furthermore, with the use of artificially generated platelets derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), we investigate the importance of CXCR4 for CXCL14-mediated platelet functions. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we showed that CXCL14 deficient platelets reveal reduced thrombus formation under flow compared with wild-type platelets using a standardized flow chamber. Addition of recombinant CXCL14 normalized platelet-dependent thrombus formation on collagen. Furthermore, we found that CXCL14 is a chemoattractant for platelets and mediates migration via CXCR4. CXCL14 promotes platelet migration of platelets through the receptor CXCR4 as evidenced by murine CXCR4-deficient platelets and human iPSC-derived cultured platelets deficient in CXCR4. We found that CXCL14 directly interacts with the CXCR4 as verified by immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal CXCL14 as a novel platelet-derived chemokine that is involved in thrombus formation and platelet migration. Furthermore, we identified CXCR4 as principal receptor for CXCL14, an interaction promoting platelet migration.