Dosage of Sex Chromosomal Genes in Blood Deposited on Filter Paper for Neonatal Screening of Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy.

AIMS: In this study, we examined the doses of the stature homeobox (SHOX), vesicle-associated membrane protein 7 (VAMP7), and SRY genes to establish a protocol for using peripheral blood samples deposited on filter paper for the screening of sex chromosome aneuploidy in neonates. We also measured correlations with karyotypes to assess this method as a neonatal screening strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, descriptive, comparative blind study. Thirty-two healthy young adults (17 women, 15 men; age, ≥18 years), four patients with known sex chromosome aneuploidy (positive control group), and 1000 healthy newborns were included. Gene dosages were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Values with standard deviations (SDs) of three or more were considered abnormal. RESULTS: Men and women differed in the gene dosage of the SRY gene. Cases with Turner syndrome showed values below 3 SDs for SHOX and VAMP7 genes, and cases with Klinefelter syndrome showed values above 3 SDs for SHOX and VAMP7 genes. Two suspected cases of sex chromosome aneuploidy were diagnosed using our neonatal screening strategy; these cases were confirmed as Turner syndrome and 47,XYY syndrome by karyotyping. CONCLUSIONS: Our data establish a basis for the determination of chromosomal sex and neonatal screening of sex chromosome aneuploidy using RT-PCR.

VAMP-7 links granule exocytosis to actin reorganization during platelet activation.

Platelet activation results in profound morphologic changes accompanied by release of granule contents. Recent evidence indicates that fusion of granules with the plasma membrane during activation provides auxiliary membrane to cover growing actin structures. Yet little is known about how membrane fusion is coupled with actin reorganization. Vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-7 is found on platelet vesicles and possesses an N-terminal longin domain capable of linking exocytosis to cytoskeletal remodeling. We have evaluated platelets from VAMP-7(-/-) mice to determine whether this VAMP isoform contributes to granule release and platelet spreading. VAMP-7(-/-) platelets demonstrated a partial defect in dense granule exocytosis and impaired aggregation. α Granule exocytosis from VAMP-7(-/-) platelets was diminished both in vitro and in vivo during thrombus formation. Consistent with a role of VAMP-7 in cytoskeletal remodeling, spreading on matrices was decreased in VAMP-7(-/-) platelets compared to wild-type controls. Immunoprecipitation of VAMP-7 revealed an association with VPS9-domain ankyrin repeat protein (VARP), an adaptor protein that interacts with both membrane-bound and cytoskeleton proteins and with Arp2/3. VAMP-7, VARP, and Arp2/3 localized to the platelet periphery during spreading. These studies demonstrate that VAMP-7 participates in both platelet granule secretion and spreading and suggest a mechanism whereby VAMP-7 links granule exocytosis with actin reorganization.

Performance related factors are the main determinants of the von Willebrand factor response to exhaustive physical exercise.

BACKGROUND: Physical stress triggers the endothelium to release von Willebrand Factor (VWF) from the Weibel Palade bodies. Since VWF is a risk factor for arterial thrombosis, it is of great interest to discover determinants of VWF response to physical stress. We aimed to determine the main mediators of the VWF increase by exhaustive physical exercise. METHODS: 105 healthy individuals (18-35 years) were included in this study. Each participant performed an incremental exhaustive exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Respiratory gas exchange measurements were obtained while cardiac function was continuously monitored. Blood was collected at baseline and directly after exhaustion. VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) levels, VWF collagen binding (VWF:CB) levels, ADAMTS13 activity and common variations in Syntaxin Binding Protein-5 (STXBP5, rs1039084 and rs9399599), Syntaxin-2 (STX2, rs7978987) and VWF (promoter, rs7965413) were determined. RESULTS: The median VWF:Ag level at baseline was 0.94 IU/mL [IQR 0.8-1.1] and increased with 47% [IQR 25-73] after exhaustive exercise to a median maximum VWF:Ag of 1.38 IU/mL [IQR 1.1-1.8] (p<0.0001). VWF:CB levels and ADAMTS13 activity both also increased after exhaustive exercise (median increase 43% and 12%, both p<0.0001). The strongest determinants of the VWF:Ag level increase are performance related (p<0.0001). We observed a gender difference in VWF:Ag response to exercise (females 1.2 IU/mL; males 1.7 IU/mL, p = 0.001), which was associated by a difference in performance. Genetic variations in STXBP5, STX2 and the VWF promoter were not associated with VWF:Ag levels at baseline nor with the VWF:Ag increase. CONCLUSIONS: VWF:Ag levels strongly increase upon exhaustive exercise and this increase is strongly determined by physical fitness level and the intensity of the exercise, while there is no clear effect of genetic variation in STXBP5, STX2 and the VWF promoter.

VAMP8/endobrevin is overexpressed in hyperreactive human platelets: suggested role for platelet microRNA.

BACKGROUND: Variation in platelet reactivity contributes to disorders of hemostasis and thrombosis, but the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. OBJECTIVES: To discover associations between interindividual platelet variability and the responsible platelet genes, and to begin to define the molecular mechanisms altering platelet gene expression. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-eight healthy subjects were phenotyped for platelet responsiveness. Platelet RNA from subjects demonstrating hyperreactivity (n=18) and hyporeactivity (n=11) was used to screen the human transcriptome. RESULTS: Distinctly different mRNA profiles were observed between subjects with differing platelet reactivity. Increased levels of mRNA for VAMP8/endobrevin, a critical v-SNARE involved in platelet granule secretion, were associated with platelet hyperreactivity (Q=0.0275). Validation studies of microarray results showed 4.8-fold higher mean VAMP8 mRNA levels in hyperreactive than hyporeactive platelets (P=0.0023). VAMP8 protein levels varied 13-fold among platelets from these normal subjects, and were 2.5-fold higher in hyperreactive platelets (P=0.05). Among our cohort of 288 subjects, a VAMP8 single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs1010) was associated with platelet reactivity in an age-dependent manner (P<0.003). MicroRNA-96 was predicted to bind to the 3'-untranslated regionof VAMP8 mRNA and was detected in platelets. Overexpression of microRNA-96 in VAMP8-expressing cell lines caused a dose-dependent decrease in VAMP8 protein and mRNA, suggesting a role in VAMP8 mRNA degradation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support a role for VAMP8/endobrevin in the heterogeneity of platelet reactivity, and suggest a role for microRNA-96 in the regulation of VAMP8 expression.