Volume 61, Issue S1 pp. S275-S285
SUPPLEMENT ARTICLE

Emerging gene therapies for enhancing the hemostatic potential of platelets

Jerry Leung

Jerry Leung

Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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Massimo F. Cau

Massimo F. Cau

Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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Christian J. Kastrup

Corresponding Author

Christian J. Kastrup

Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Correspondence

Christian J. Kastrup, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, 2185 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 16 July 2021
Citations: 1

Jerry Leung and Massimo F. Cau are co-first authors.

Abstract

Platelet transfusions are an integral component of balanced hemostatic resuscitation protocols used to manage severe hemorrhage following trauma. Enhancing the hemostatic potential of platelets could lead to further increases in the efficacy of transfusions, particularly for non-compressible torso hemorrhage or severe hemorrhage with coagulopathy, by decreasing blood loss and improving overall patient outcomes. Advances in gene therapies, including RNA therapies, are leading to new strategies to enhance platelets for better control of hemorrhage. This review will highlight three approaches for creating modified platelets using gene therapies: (i) direct transfection of transfusable platelets ex vivo, (ii) in vitro production of engineered platelets from platelet-precursor cells, and (iii) modifying the bone marrow for in vivo production of modified platelets. In summary, modifying platelets to enhance their hemostatic potential is an exciting new frontier in transfusion medicine, but more preclinical development as well as studies testing the safety and efficacy of these agents are needed.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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