Essential thrombocythaemia: A contemporary approach with new drugs on the horizon.

Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by an increased risk of vascular complications and a tendency to progress to myelofibrosis and acute leukaemia. ET patients have traditionally been stratified into two thrombosis risk categories based on age older than 60 years and a history of thrombosis. More recently, the revised IPSET-thrombosis scoring system, which accounts for the increased risk linked to the JAK2 mutation, has been incorporated into most expert recommendations. However, there is increasing evidence that the term ET encompasses different genomic entities, each with a distinct clinical course and prognosis. Moreover, the effectiveness and toxicity of cytoreductive and anti-platelet treatments differ depending on the molecular genotype. While anti-platelets and conventional cytoreductive agents, mainly hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea), anagrelide and pegylated interferon, remain the cornerstone of treatment, recent research has shed light on the effectiveness of novel therapies that may help improve outcomes. This comprehensive review focuses on the evolving landscape of treatment strategies in ET, with an emphasis on the role of molecular profiling in guiding therapeutic decisions. Besides evidence-based management according to revised IPSET-thrombosis stratification, we also provide specific observations for those patients with CALR-, MPL-mutated and triple-negative ET, as well as cases with high-risk mutations.

SARAF overexpression impairs thrombin-induced Ca2+ homeostasis in neonatal platelets.

Neonatal platelets present a reduced response to the platelet agonist, thrombin (Thr), thus resulting in a deficient Thr-induced aggregation. These alterations are more pronounced in premature newborns. Here, our aim was to uncover the causes underneath the impaired Ca2+ homeostasis described in neonatal platelets. Both Ca2+ mobilization and Ca2+ influx in response to Thr are decreased in neonatal platelets compared to maternal and control woman platelets. In neonatal platelets, we observed impaired Ca2+ mobilization in response to the PAR-1 agonist (SFLLRN) or by blocking SERCA3 function with tert-butylhydroquinone. Regarding SOCE, the STIM1 regulatory protein, SARAF, was found overexpressed in neonatal platelets, promoting an increase in STIM1/SARAF interaction even under resting conditions. Additionally, higher interaction between SARAF and PDCD61/ALG2 was also observed, reducing SARAF ubiquitination and prolonging its half-life. These results were reproduced by overexpressing SARAF in MEG01 and DAMI cells. Finally, we also observed that pannexin 1 permeability is enhanced in response to Thr in control woman and maternal platelets, but not in neonatal platelets, hence, leading to the deregulation of the Ca2+ entry found in neonatal platelets. Summarizing, we show that in neonatal platelets both Ca2+ accumulation in the intracellular stores and Thr-evoked Ca2+ entry through either capacitative channels or non-selective channels are altered in neonatal platelets, contributing to deregulated Ca2+ homeostasis in neonatal platelets and leading to the altered aggregation observed in these subjects.

Genomic classification and outcomes of young patients with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia according to the presence of splanchnic vein thrombosis and its chronology.

To elucidate the role of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) and genomic characteristics in prognosis and survival, we compared patients with polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET) presenting SVT at diagnosis (n = 69, median age 43 years) or during follow-up (n = 21, median age 46 years) to a sex- and age-matched control group of PV/ET without SVT (n = 165, median age 48 years). The majority of patients presenting with SVT at diagnosis were classified as myeloproliferative neoplasm with heterozygous JAK2 mutation (87% of cases vs. 69% in PV/ET control group, p < 0.05), characterized by low JAK2 allele burden and no high-risk mutations. Despite this lower molecular complexity, patients presenting with SVT showed a higher risk of death (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.5-6.0, p = 0.003) and lower event-free survival (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.9-4.8, p < 0.001) than age- and sex-matched PV/ET controls. In patients presenting with SVT, molecular high-risk was associated with increased risk of venous re-thrombosis (HR 5.8, 95% CI 1.4-24.0, p = 0.01). Patients developing SVT during follow-up were more frequently allocated in molecular high-risk than those with SVT at diagnosis (52% versus 13%, p < 0.05). In the whole cohort of patients, molecular classification identified PV/ET patients at higher risk of disease progression whereas DNMT3A/TET2/ASXL1 mutations were associated with higher risk of arterial thrombosis. In conclusion, clinical and molecular characteristics are different in PV/ET patients with SVT, depending on whether it occurs at diagnosis or at follow-up. Molecular characterization by NGS is useful for assessing the risk of thrombosis and disease progression in young patients with PV/ET.

miR-146a-/- mice model reveals that NF-κB inhibition reverts inflammation-driven myelofibrosis-like phenotype.

Emerging evidence shows the crucial role of inflammation (particularly NF-κB pathway) in the development and progression of myelofibrosis (MF), becoming a promising therapeutic target. Furthermore, tailoring treatment with currently available JAK inhibitors (such as ruxolitinib or fedratinib) does not modify the natural history of the disease and has important limitations, including cytopenias. Since recent studies have highlighted the role of miR-146a, a negative regulator of the NF-κB pathway, in the pathogenesis of MF; here we used miR-146a-/- (KO) mice, a MF-like model lacking driver mutations, to investigate whether pharmacological inhibition of JAK/STAT and/or NF-κB pathways may reverse the myelofibrotic phenotype of these mice. Specifically, we tested the JAK1/2 inhibitor, ruxolitinib; the NF-κB inhibitor via IKKα/ß, BMS-345541; both inhibitors in combination; or a dual inhibitor of both pathways (JAK2/IRAK1), pacritinib. Although all treatments decreased spleen size and partially recovered its architecture, only NF-κB inhibition, either using BMS-345541 (alone or in combination) or pacritinib, resulted in a reduction of extramedullary hematopoiesis, bone marrow (BM) fibrosis and osteosclerosis, along with an attenuation of the exacerbated inflammatory state (via IL-1ß and TNFα). However, although dual inhibitor improved anemia and reversed thrombocytopenia, the combined therapy worsened anemia by inducing BM hypoplasia. Both therapeutic options reduced NF-κB and JAK/STAT signaling in a context of JAK2V617F-driven clonal hematopoiesis. Additionally, combined treatment reduced both COL1A1 and IL-6 production in an in vitro model mimicking JAK2-driven fibrosis. In conclusion, NF-κB inhibition reduces, in vitro and in vivo, disease burden and BM fibrosis, which could provide benefits in myelofibrosis patients.

The prognostic impact of non-driver gene mutations and variant allele frequency in primary myelofibrosis.

Prognostic impact of non-MPN driver gene mutations in primary myelofibrosis. MIPSS70: Mutation-Enhanced International Prognostic Score System.

CAPN1 (Calpain1)-Dependent Cleavage of STIM1 (Stromal Interaction Molecule 1) Results in an Enhanced SOCE (Store-Operated Calcium Entry) in Human Neonatal Platelets.

BACKGROUND: Altered intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in neonatal platelets has been previously reported. This study aims to examine the changes in the Ca2+ entry through the store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) mechanism in neonatal platelets. METHODS: Human platelets from either control women, mothers, and neonates were isolated and, following, were fixed after being treated as required. Platelet samples were analyzed by Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and MALDITOF/TOF. Ca2+ homeostasis was also determined. Culture cells were used as surrogated of platelets to overexpress the proteins of interest to reproduce the alterations observed in platelets. RESULTS: Altered TG (thapsigargin)-evoked SOCE, alternative molecular weight form of STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1; s-STIM1 [short STIM1 isoform (478 aa)], around 60 kDa) and overexpression of SARAF (SOCE-associated regulatory factor) were found in neonatal platelets as compared to maternal and control women platelets. s-STIM1 may result due to CAPN1 (calpain1)-dependent processing, as confirmed in platelets and MEG01 cells by using calpeptin and overexpressing CAPN1, respectively. In HEK293 (STIM1 and STIM2 [stromal interaction molecule 2] double knockout) cells transfected either with c-STIM1 (canonical STIM1 [685 aa]), s-STIM1 (478), STIM1B (540), and CAPN1 overexpression plasmids, we found s-STIM1 and c-STIM1, except in cells overexpressing s-STIM1 (478) that lacked CAPN1 target residues. These results and the in silico analysis, lead us to conclude that STIM1 is cleaved at Q496 by CAPN1. Ca2+ imaging analysis and coimmunoprecipitation assay using MEG01 and HEK293 cells overexpressing SARAF together with s-STIM1 (478) reported a reduced slow Ca2+-dependent inactivation, so reproducing the Ca2+-homeostasis pattern observed in neonatal platelets. CONCLUSIONS: CAPN1 may cleave STIM1 in neonatal platelets, hence, impairing SARAF coupling after SOCE activation. s-STIM1 may avoid slow Ca2+-dependent inactivation and, subsequently, results in an enhanced TG-evoked SOCE as observed in neonatal platelets.

Real-world analysis of main clinical outcomes in patients with polycythemia vera treated with ruxolitinib or best available therapy after developing resistance/intolerance to hydroxyurea.

BACKGROUND: Ruxolitinib is approved for patients with polycythemia vera (PV) who are resistant/intolerant to hydroxyurea, but its impact on preventing thrombosis or disease-progression is unknown. METHODS: A retrospective, real-world analysis was performed on the outcomes of 377 patients with resistance/intolerance to hydroxyurea from the Spanish Registry of Polycythemia Vera according to subsequent treatment with ruxolitinib (n = 105) or the best available therapy (BAT; n = 272). Survival probabilities and rates of thrombosis, hemorrhage, acute myeloid leukemia, myelofibrosis, and second primary cancers were calculated according to treatment. To minimize biases in treatment allocation, all results were adjusted by a propensity score for receiving ruxolitinib or BAT. RESULTS: Patients receiving ruxolitinib had a significantly lower rate of arterial thrombosis than those on BAT (0.4% vs 2.3% per year; P = .03), and this persisted as a trend after adjustment for the propensity to have received the drug (incidence rate ratio, 0.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-1.3; P = .09). There were no significant differences in the rates of venous thrombosis (0.8% and 1.1% for ruxolitinib and BAT, respectively; P = .7) and major bleeding (0.8% and 0.9%, respectively; P = .9). Ruxolitinib exposure was not associated with a higher rate of second primary cancers, including all types of neoplasia, noncutaneous cancers, and nonmelanoma skin cancers. After a median follow-up of 3.5 years, there were no differences in survival or progression to acute leukemia or myelofibrosis between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that ruxolitinib treatment for PV patients with resistance/intolerance to hydroxyurea may reduce the incidence of arterial thrombosis. LAY SUMMARY: Ruxolitinib is better than other available therapies in achieving hematocrit control and symptom relief in patients with polycythemia vera who are resistant/intolerant to hydroxyurea, but we still do not know whether ruxolitinib provides an additional benefit in preventing thrombosis or disease progression. We retrospectively studied the outcomes of 377 patients with resistance/intolerance to hydroxyurea from the Spanish Registry of Polycythemia Vera according to whether they subsequently received ruxolitinib (n = 105) or the best available therapy (n = 272). Our findings suggest that ruxolitinib could reduce the incidence of arterial thrombosis, but a disease-modifying effect could not be demonstrated for ruxolitinib in this patient population.

Predictors of thrombosis and bleeding in 1613 myelofibrosis patients from the Spanish Registry of Myelofibrosis.

Available data have proved insufficient to develop consensus recommendations on the prevention of thrombosis and bleeding in myelofibrosis (MF). We evaluated the incidence and risk factors of vascular complications in 1613 patients from the Spanish Myelofibrosis Registry. Over a total of 6981 patient-years at risk, 6.4% of the study population had at least one thrombotic event after MF diagnosis, amounting to an incidence rate of 1.65 per 100 patient-years. Prior history of thrombosis, the JAK2 mutation, and the intermediate-2/high-risk International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) categories conferred an increased thrombotic risk after adjustment for the risk-modifying effect of anti-thrombotic and cytoreductive treatments. History of thrombosis and the JAK2 mutation allowed us to pinpoint a group of patients at higher risk of early thrombosis. No decreased incidence of thrombosis was observed while patients were on anti-thrombotic or cytoreductive treatment. An increased risk of venous thrombosis was found during treatment with immunomodulatory agents. A total of 5.3% of patients had at least one episode of major bleeding, resulting in an incidence rate of 1.5 events per 100 patient-years. Patients in the intermediate-2/high-risk IPSS categories treated with anti-coagulants had an almost sevenfold increased risk of major bleeding. These findings should prove useful for guiding decision-making in clinical practice.

Low-risk polycythemia vera treated with phlebotomies: clinical characteristics, hematologic control and complications in 453 patients from the Spanish Registry of Polycythemia Vera.

Hematological control, incidence of complications, and need for cytoreduction were studied in 453 patients with low-risk polycythemia vera (PV) treated with phlebotomies alone. Median hematocrit value decreased from 54% at diagnosis to 45% at 12 months, and adequate hematocrit control over time (< 45%) was observed in 36%, 44%, and 32% of the patients at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. More than 5 phlebotomies per year in the maintenance phase were required in 19% of patients. Worsening thrombocytosis, age > 60 years, and microvascular symptoms constituted the main indications for starting cytoreduction. Median duration without initiating cytoreduction was significantly longer in patients younger than 50 years (< 0.0001). The incidence rate of thrombosis under phlebotomies alone was 0.8% per year and the estimated probability of thrombosis at 10 years was 8.5%. The probability of arterial thrombosis was significantly higher in patients with arterial hypertension whereas there was a trend to higher risk of venous thrombosis in cases with high JAK2V617F allele burden. Rates of major bleeding and second primary neoplasm were low. With a median follow-up of 9 years, survival probability at 10 years was 97%, whereas the probability of myelofibrosis at 10 and 20 years was 7% and 20%, respectively. Progression to acute myeloid leukemia was documented in 3 cases (1%). Current management of low-risk PV patients is associated with low rate of thrombosis and long survival. New treatment strategies are needed for improving hematological control and, in the long term, reducing progression to myelofibrosis.

Neonatal platelet physiology and implications for transfusion.

The neonatal hemostatic system is different from that of adults. The differences in levels of procoagulant and anticoagulant factors and the evolving equilibrium in secondary hemostasis during the transition from fetal/neonatal life to infancy, childhood, and adult life are known as "developmental hemostasis." In regard to primary hemostasis, while the number (150,000-450,000/µl) and structure of platelets in healthy neonates closely resemble those of adults, there are significant functional differences between neonatal and adult platelets. Specifically, platelets derived from both cord blood and neonatal peripheral blood are less reactive than adult platelets to agonists, such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine, collagen, thrombin, and thromboxane (TXA2) analogs. This platelet hyporeactivity is due to differences in expression levels of key surface receptors and/or in signaling pathways, and is more pronounced in preterm neonates. Despite these differences in platelet function, bleeding times and PFA-100 closure times (an in vitro test of whole-blood primary hemostasis) are shorter in healthy full-term infants than in adults, reflecting enhanced primary hemostasis. This paradoxical finding is explained by the presence of factors in neonatal blood that increase the platelet-vessel wall interaction, such as high von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels, predominance of ultralong vWF multimers, high hematocrit, and high red cell mean corpuscular volume. Thus, the hyporeactivity of neonatal platelets should not be viewed as a developmental deficiency, but rather as an integral part of a developmentally unique, but well balanced, primary hemostatic system. In clinical practice, due to the high incidence of bleeding (especially intraventricular hemorrhage, IVH) among preterm infants, neonatologists frequently transfuse platelets to non-bleeding neonates when platelet counts fall below an arbitrary limit, typically higher than that used in older children and adults. However, recent studies have shown that prophylactic platelet transfusions not only fail to decrease bleeding in preterm neonates, but are associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. In this review, we will describe the developmental differences in platelet function and primary hemostasis between neonates and adults, and will analyze the implications of these differences to platelet transfusion decisions.

Cytoreductive treatment in patients with CALR-mutated essential thrombocythaemia: a study comparing indications and efficacy among genotypes from the Spanish Registry of Essential Thrombocythaemia.

The present study assessed the criteria for initiating cytoreduction and response to conventional therapies in 1446 patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET), 267 (17%) of which were CALR-mutated. In low risk patients, time from diagnosis to cytoreduction was shorter in CALR-positive than in the other genotypes (2·8, 3·2, 7·4 and 12·5 years for CALR, MPL, JAK2V617F and TN, respectively, P < 0·0001). A total of 1104 (76%) patients received cytoreductive treatment with hydroxycarbamide (HC) (n = 977), anagrelide (n = 113), or others (n = 14). The estimated cumulative rates of complete haematological response (CR) at 12 months were 40 % and 67% in CALR and JAK2V617F genotypes, respectively. Median time to CR was 192 days for JAK2V617F, 343 for TN, 433 for MPL, and 705 for CALR genotypes (P < 0·0001). Duration of CR was shorter in CALR-mutated ET than in the remaining patients (P = 0·003). In CALR-positive patients, HC and anagrelide had similar efficacy in terms of response rates and duration. CALR-mutated patients developed resistance/intolerance to HC more frequently (5%, 23%, 27% and 15% for JAK2V617F, CALR, MPL and TN, respectively; P < 0·0001). In conclusion, conventional cytoreductive agents are less effective in CALR-mutated ET, highlighting the need for new treatment modalities and redefinition of haematologic targets for patients with this genotype.

The risk of thrombosis in essential thrombocythemia is associated with the type of CALR mutation: A multicentre collaborative study.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET), after the JAK2V617F driver mutation, mutations in CALR are common (classified as type 1, 52-bp deletion or type 2, 5-bp insertion). CALR mutations have generally been associated with a lower risk of thrombosis. This study aimed to confirm the impact of CALR mutation type on thrombotic risk. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 983 ET patients diagnosed in Spanish and Polish hospitals. RESULTS: With 7.5 years of median follow-up from diagnosis, 155 patients (15.8%) had one or more thrombotic event. The 5-year thrombosis-free survival (TFS) rate was 83.8%, 91.6% and 93.9% for the JAK2V617F, CALR-type 1 and CALR-type 2 groups, respectively (P = .002). Comparing CALR-type 1 and CALR-type 2 groups, TFS for venous thrombosis was lower in CALR-type 1 (P = .046), with no difference in TFS for arterial thrombosis observed. The cumulative incidence of thrombosis was significantly different comparing JAK2V617F vs CALR-type 2 groups but not JAK2V617F vs CALR-type 1 groups. Moreover, CALR-type 2 mutation was a statistically significant protective factor for thrombosis with respect to JAK2V617F in multivariate logistic regression (OR: 0.45, P = .04) adjusted by age. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CALR mutation type has prognostic value for the stratification of thrombotic risk in ET patients.

Emerging Role of Neutrophils in the Thrombosis of Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Thrombosis is a major cause of morbimortality in patients with chronic Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). In the last decade, multiple lines of evidence support the role of leukocytes in thrombosis of MPN patients. Besides the increase in the number of cells, neutrophils and monocytes of MPN patients show a pro-coagulant activated phenotype. Once activated, neutrophils release structures composed of DNA, histones, and granular proteins, called extracellular neutrophil traps (NETs), which in addition to killing pathogens, provide an ideal matrix for platelet activation and coagulation mechanisms. Herein, we review the published literature related to the involvement of NETs in the pathogenesis of thrombosis in the setting of MPN; the effect that cytoreductive therapies and JAK inhibitors can have on markers of NETosis, and, finally, the novel therapeutic strategies targeting NETs to reduce the thrombotic complications in these patients.

Qualitative and Quantitative Comparison of Plasma Exosomes from Neonates and Adults.

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that contain nucleic acids, lipids and metabolites, and play a critical role in health and disease as mediators of intercellular communication. The majority of extracellular vesicles in the blood are platelet-derived. Compared to adults, neonatal platelets are hyporeactive and show impaired granule release, associated with defects in Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion Attachment protein REceptor (SNARE) proteins. Since these proteins participate in biogenesis of exosomes, we investigated the potential differences between newborn and adult plasma-derived exosomes. Plasma-derived exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation of umbilical cord blood from full-term neonates or peripheral blood from adults. Exosome characterization included size determination by transmission electron microscopy and quantitative proteomic analysis. Plasma-derived exosomes from neonates were significantly smaller and contained 65% less protein than those from adults. Remarkably, 131 proteins were found to be differentially expressed, 83 overexpressed and 48 underexpressed in neonatal (vs. adult) exosomes. Whereas the upregulated proteins in plasma exosomes from neonates are associated with platelet activation, coagulation and granule secretion, most of the underexpressed proteins are immunoglobulins. This is the first study showing that exosome size and content change with age. Our findings may contribute to elucidating the potential "developmental hemostatic mismatch risk" associated with transfusions containing plasma exosomes from adults.

Natural history of polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia presenting with splanchnic vein thrombosis.

Patients with polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET) presenting with splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) might have a specific clinico-biological profile. To investigate this hypothesis, 3705 PV/ET patients from three national registers, 118 of them presenting with SVT, were reviewed. After correction for age and sex, PV/ET patients with SVT showed an increased risk of death (HR 2.47, 95% CI 1.5-4.01, p < 0.001), venous thrombosis (IRR 3.4, 95%CI 2.1-5.5, p < 0.001), major bleeding (IRR 3.6, 95%CI 2.3-5.5, p < 0.001), and second cancer (IRR 2.37, 95%CI 1.4-4.1, p = 0.002). No case of acute leukemia was documented among patients with PV/ET presenting with SVT and seven of them (6%) progressed to myelofibrosis. SVT was not associated with lower risk of MF after correction by age and sex. Patients with SVT more frequently died from complications related to hepatic disease, major bleeding, or second cancer, resulting in a 5-year reduction of age- and sex-adjusted median survival. In conclusion, PV and ET patients presenting with SVT have shorter survival than patients with PV and ET of the same age and sex. This excess mortality is related to liver disease, major bleeding, and second cancer rather than to the natural evolution of the MPN.

Successful ovarian stimulation and pregnancy in an infertile woman with chronic myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) treatment has transformed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) from a fatal neoplasm to a chronic disease with normal life expectancies. Indeed, half of CML patients are able to discontinue TKI without relapse. However, it seems clearly demonstrated that exposure to TKI may result in fetal malformations. Regarding its effects on fertility, preclinical studies and clinical case reports provide inconclusive evidence. Furthermore, due to the risk of CML relapse after TKI discontinuation, the optimal time to stop TKI represents a real dilemma. CASE REPORT: We describe a 23-year-old woman who, after more than 6 years with imatinib and 1 year in deep molecular response [(DMR), MR ≥ 4], interrupted treatment to become pregnant. After 2 failed artificial insemination cycles, she underwent one process of controlled ovarian stimulation, achieving 2 blastocyst-embryos. In the meantime, BCR-ABL1IS levels increased despite interferon-alpha therapy, she lost the mayor molecular response (MMR), and the 2 embryos had to be cryopreserved. A stable second MR ≥ 4.0 was again obtained with nilotinib, and after stopping it, the 2 blastocyst-embryo transfers were unsuccessfully performed. Under DMR, a second ovarian stimulation and in vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed and 1 blastocyst embryo was transferred. This time, she became pregnant and a healthy baby was born. After more than 3 years of follow-up, she remains in treatment-free remission (TFR). CONCLUSION: Compared with imatinib, nilotinib achieves earlier and deeper MR that allows safe and timely pregnancies in infertile CML women through IVF process, while patients remain in TFR after delivery.

Correction: Cuenca-Zamora, Ernesto José., et al. Tubulin in Platelets: When the Shape Matter. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, 3484.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...].

Platelet transfusions and mortality in necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have suggested an association between platelet transfusions (PTXs) and worse outcomes among infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), potentially mediated by proinflammatory factors released by platelets. However, the effects of storage on platelet proinflammatory factor release and the confounding role of illness severity on NEC outcomes have not been determined. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: First, neuropeptide Y (a potent splanchnic vasoconstrictor released by platelets) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in fresh frozen plasma and in the supernatant of leukoreduced apheresis-derived platelets at different times during storage. Next, we evaluated the relationship between PTX rates and death in a multicenter cohort of very-low-birth-weight infants with NEC, adjusting for illness severity. RESULTS: Neuropeptide Y levels increased over time in the supernatant of leukoreduced apheresis-derived platelets and were 4.4-fold and 8.9-fold higher than in fresh frozen plasma on Days 2 and 3 of storage, respectively (p < 0.001). Among 598 very-low-birth-weight infants, 44 developed NEC. In unadjusted analysis, PTX rate was 30.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.5-80.1) per 100 infant-days among infants who died, compared to 6.0 (95% CI, 3.2-11.2) among survivors (incidence rate ratio, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.6-16.2; p = 0.006). In multivariable analysis, there was no association between PTX rate and mortality (incidence rate ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 0.6-15.0; p = 0.18), although estimation was imprecise. CONCLUSION: Proinflammatory mediators accumulate in platelet suspensions during storage. Although PTX rates were not associated with increased mortality among infants with NEC in our study, our estimates suggest the potential for such an association that needs evaluation in larger studies.

Tubulin in Platelets: When the Shape Matters.

Platelets are anuclear cells with a short lifespan that play an essential role in many pathophysiological processes, including haemostasis, inflammation, infection, vascular integrity, and metastasis. Billions of platelets are produced daily from megakaryocytes (platelet precursors). Despite this high production, the number of circulating platelets is stable and, under resting conditions, they maintain their typical discoid shape thanks to cytoskeleton proteins. The activation of platelets is associated with dynamic and rapid changes in the cytoskeleton. Two cytoskeletal polymer systems exist in megakaryocytes and platelets: actin filaments and microtubules, based on actin, and α- and ß-tubulin heterodimers, respectively. Herein, we will focus on platelet-specific tubulins and their alterations and role of the microtubules skeleton in platelet formation (thrombopoiesis). During this process, microtubules mediate elongation of the megakaryocyte extensions (proplatelet) and granule trafficking from megakaryocytes to nascent platelets. In platelets, microtubules form a subcortical ring, the so-called marginal band, which confers the typical platelet discoid shape and is also responsible for changes in platelet morphology upon activation. Molecular alterations in the gene encoding ß1 tubulin and microtubules post-translational modifications may result in quantitative or qualitative changes in tubulin, leading to altered cytoskeleton reorganization that may induce changes in the platelet number (thrombocytopenia), morphology or function. Consequently, ß1-tubulin modifications may participate in pathological and physiological processes, such as development.

Transcriptomic rationale for synthetic lethality-targeting ERCC1 and CDKN1A in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia.

Despite the absence of mutations in the DNA repair machinery in myeloid malignancies, the advent of high-throughput sequencing and discovery of splicing and epigenetics defects in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) prompted us to revisit a pathogenic role for genes involved in DNA damage response. We screened for misregulated DNA repair genes by enhanced RNA-sequencing on bone marrow from a discovery cohort of 27 CMML patients and 9 controls. We validated 4 differentially expressed candidates in CMML CD34+ bone marrow selected cells and in an independent cohort of 74 CMML patients, mutationally contextualized by targeted sequencing, and assessed their transcriptional behavior in 70 myelodysplastic syndrome, 66 acute myeloid leukaemia and 25 chronic myeloid leukaemia cases. We found BAP1 and PARP1 down-regulation to be specific to CMML compared with other related disorders. Chromatin-regulator mutated cases showed decreased BAP1 dosage. We validated a significant over-expression of the double strand break-fidelity genes CDKN1A and ERCC1, independent of promoter methylation and associated with chemorefractoriness. In addition, patients bearing mutations in the splicing component SRSF2 displayed numerous aberrant splicing events in DNA repair genes, with a quantitative predominance in the single strand break pathway. Our results highlight potential targets in this disease, which currently has few therapeutic options.